2011 NFL Predictions: Projecting the Philadelphia Eagles' Depth Chart

With the Eagles' first preseason game in the books, we can begin to look ahead to the rest of the season.

Almost everyone on the expanded 90-man roster had an opportunity to play against the Baltimore Ravens, but many of them will eventually be cut before the regular season begins.

Which players are locks for the roster? Which ones are on the bubble? Here are my projections on how the current depth chart shakes out.

Quarterbacks

Locks: Michael Vick, Vince Young, Mike Kafka

The quarterback position is probably the easiest to project, with only three quarterbacks in training camp to choose from. Michael Vick is the clear-cut No. 1 option and probably will retain the position for the next few seasons.

Vince Young and Mike Kafka will be No.s 2 and 3, in that order, though Young is still not familiar with the Eagles offense. If Vick is injured in an early-season game, it may be Kafka who steps in for him, unless Young develops more quickly than projected.

Running Backs

Locks: LeSean McCoy, Ronnie Brown

On the Bubble: Dion Lewis, Eldra Buckley, Graig Cooper, Derrick Locke

Both McCoy and Brown are certain to make the team, in that order. The real competition is for the last roster spot. Both Cooper and Locke are longshots. 

Lewis and Buckley are the frontrunners, and both bring different strengths to the table. Lewis is a smaller, more elusive runner, in the same mold as his fellow Pitt alum, LeSean McCoy, whereas Buckley is a strong special-teams performer.

Though special teams is somewhat less important now because of the new rule moving kickoffs to the 35, the number of kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns in the first week of preseason games has shown that good special teams players are still important.

Since both Lewis and Buckley are fighting for the No. 3 spot at a position where they will see little or no game action, Buckley has the edge because of his special teams experience, while Lewis can be relegated to the practice squad. 

Prediction: Eldra Buckley

Fullbacks

Lock: Owen Schmitt

Schmitt filled in well for Leonard Weaver after the latter went down with a season-ending injury in Week 1 and will most likely retain the spot.

His only competition is seventh-rounder Stanley Havili, who he has outperformed in training camp so far.

Wide Receivers

Locks: DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Steve Smith, Riley Cooper

On the Bubble: Chad Hall, Sinorice Moss, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Rod Harper

There will probably only be room for five wide receivers on the roster, but there may be opportunities for one or two other wideouts if either Maclin or Smith begin the season on the PUP list.

Chad Hall was impressive against the Ravens, constantly getting open and making tough catches. He also was a reliable option against the blitz and ended the night with five receptions for 82 yards.

However, Higgins is listed as the starting kickoff returner and backup punt returner, not by any means a small advantage. Without Higgins on the roster, the coaching staff does not have a reliable alternative to DeSean Jackson, who already has health concerns.

Neither Harper nor Moss have a real chance to make the team, unless they play exceptionally well for the rest of the preseason.

According to the Eagles, both Maclin and Smith will be healthy before Week 6, when teams are allowed to take players off the PUP list.

Prediction: Johnnie Lee Higgins*, Chad Hall*

*if necessary

Tight Ends

Lock: Brent Celek

On the Bubble: Clay Harbor, Donald Lee

The Eagles are expected to keep two tight ends on the roster. Brent Celek is a definite lock, leaving the other spot up for grabs between second-year player Clay Harbor and free-agent acquisition Donald Lee.

Harbor made the team last year, but he faces stiff competition this year from Lee, a reliable veteran known for his blocking ability.

However, there should be room for both of them on the final roster unless the Eagles keep an extra offensive lineman or returner.

Prediction: Donald Lee, Clay Harbor

Offensive Line

Locks: Jason Peters, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson, Danny Watkins, Ryan Harris

On the Bubble: Jason Kelce, Evan Mathis, Mike McGlynn, Winston Justice, King Dunlap, Austin Howard, Fenuki Tupou

The locks should be in the starting lineup come Week 1, while some of the backup positions still have competition. Kelce, Mathis, and McGlynn are also favored to make the team. Kelce is a favorite of new offensive line coach Howard Mudd and has provided unexpected competition for Jamaal Jackson in camp.

In Mudd's eyes, Kelce is similar to Colts star center Jeff Saturday, a smaller, more athletic lineman. McGlynn filled in well at center last year after Jackson suffered a season-ending injury, and can also play guard.

Mathis is a capable veteran, and over two years and 700-plus plays with the Cincinnati Bengals did not give up a single snap.

This leaves a void at tackle for the Eagles, as all three of their backups play guard. In addition, their starting right tackle, Ryan Harris, who is charged with protecting Michael Vick's blind side, sat out Saturday's practice with back spasms.

Winston Justice, last year's starter at right tackle, will most likely remain on the team, despite his large contract, though he will presumably begin the season on the PUP list.

Dunlap and Howard are serviceable, but inconsistent players. Both had their ups and downs in the first preseason game against the Ravens, though Dunlap performed slightly better. Tupou is another option, though he is unlikely to make the team except in case of injury.

Prediction: Jason Kelce, Evan Mathis, Mike McGlynn, Winston Justice, King Dunlap, Austin Howard*

*if necessary

Defensive Tackles

Locks: Antonio Dixon, Cullen Jenkins, Mike Patterson

On the Bubble: Trevor Laws, Anthony Hargrove, Derek Landri, Cedric Thornton

The Eagles are extremely deep on the defensive line, with 12 playing-caliber players between the ends and tackles.

For the defensive tackles, Dixon and Jenkins are the obvious locks, as is Mike Patterson, though his medical condition is still hazy right now. If he also begins the season on the PUP list, there are openings for others to compete for.

Laws was a solid player for the Eagles last year, and should be expected to come back for another year. With only one other spot available, unless Patterson is put on the PUP list, which seems highly unlikely, the competition will likely come down to Hargrove and Landri, two vets who have been reliable contributors to their previous teams.

Hargrove also has postseason experience as a starter for the Saints during their Super Bowl runs, and has been lining up with Jenkins as the starting defensive tackle, in Patterson's absence. Thornton is an undrafted free agent without much hope of making the team, though he has showed promise in training camp.

Prediction: Trevor Laws, Anthony Hargrove, Derek Landri*

*if necessary 

Defensive Ends

Locks: Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Darryl Tapp, Juqua Parker, Brandon Graham

On the Bubble: Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Phillip Hunt

Apart from cornerback, defensive end is probably the team's deepest position.

Cole and Babin are both Pro Bowl-caliber players, and Darryl Tapp also has a lot of potential and seems poised for a breakout season. Brandon Graham, the Eagles' 2010 first-rounder, will probably start the season on the PUP list, leaving only one vacancy at defensive end, unless the team decides to part ways with Juqua Parker and his expensive contract.

This means that Te'o-Nesheim and Hunt will be fighting for a roster spot. This will be a close race, though Te'o-Nesheim has the advantage of being the incumbent. Unless he falters or Hunt soars, expect him to keep his spot on the roster.

Prediction: Daniel Te'o-Nesheim

Linebackers

Locks: Jamar Chaney, Moise Fokou, Casey Matthews

On the Bubble: Akeem Jordan, Keenan Clayton, Greg Lloyd, Rashad Jeanty, Brian Rolle

According to many, the weak link on the Eagles defense. Though this may or may not be true, it is a fact that the linebacking corps is young and inexperienced, for the most part. Apart from Jordan and Jeanty, none of the backups have played more than a year in the NFL.

Of the shallow pool of linebackers available, Jordan and Clayton will probably make the team, leaving four players fighting for one spot. Right now, Greg Lloyd is listed as the backup middle linebacker, while Brian Rolle and Jeanty both had solid outings against the Ravens.

If the Eagles don't go for a veteran free agent, expect them to look for veteran leadership within their own unit.

Prediction: Akeem Jordan, Keenan Clayton, Rashad Jeanty

Safeties

Locks: Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, Jaiquawn Jarrett

On the Bubble: Jarrad Page, Colt Anderson

Typically, the Eagles' roster includes three safeties and six cornerbacks, and unfortunately for Page and Anderson, I don't see that changing this year, especially with both Asomugha and Samuel taking snaps at safety versus the Ravens.

However, if that does change, and the Eagles only go with five cornerbacks, arguments can be made for both players. Page is a seasoned veteran, and showed off his skills with a tremendous interception of a well-thrown Tyrod Taylor pass Thursday night, whereas Anderson has more value as a special-teams ace.

This would be a more interesting competition if either player had a roster spot to compete for.

Cornerbacks

Locks: Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

On the Bubble: Joselio Hanson, Trevard Lindley, Curtis Marsh, Brandon Hughes

Even though we've had weeks to react to the Eagles signing Nnamdi, it still boggles my mind when I try to figure out how exactly they managed to pull it off.

Along with Asante Samuel and Dominique, they form perhaps the most feared cornerback trio in the league.

Though their positions on the roster are locked up beyond the shadow of a doubt, the spots after them are still murky. Joselio Hanson would also have joined them but for his $2.4 million cap hit, an unreasonable amount for any fourth cornerback, despite his good performance in 2010.

I expect the Eagles to try and trade him for a late-round pick, perhaps in an attempt to free up more cap space for future deals and extensions. The players after him don't suffer too much of a drop-off in talent.

Marsh, the Eagles' third-rounder this year, has been impressive so far in training camp, and Lindley and Hughes, a former Giants practice squad player, are also playing at a similar level. Expect all three of them to make the final roster.

Prediction: Trevard Lindley, Curtis Marsh, Brandon Hughes

Special Teams

Locks: Alex Henery, Chas Henry, Jon Dorenbos

Without any competition, these are surefire picks for the final roster. Just hope the Hen(e)rys will live up to their billings and not fall prey to rookie jitters in big moments.