Eagles Roster Predictions Two Weeks Before Final Cuts

Philadelphia has not carried more than five receivers in the Nick Sirianni era. Considering Covey’s limitations in the pass attack, it is fair to say the Eagles have not had more than four make it through final cuts since 2022.

Darius Cooper may just force their hand.

Everyone loves a training camp underdog. Many still remember Paul Turner’s unrelenting roster push in the 2016 preseason, an effort that ultimately fell short. Nine years later, the Eagles may be staring at another David, now trying to wiggle his way into a Goliath of an offense.

On a night where the aforementioned Wilson and Smith displayed their respective abilities in the forms of size and speed, it was an unfamiliar Number 41 who left the largest impression. Cooper, an undrafted signing from Tarleton State, was a stranger to much of Philadelphia before August 7th. He ran with the third-stringers in July.

Cooper wears an awkward number for a receiver, a number he is sharing with fellow UDFA Lance Dixon this summer. He is one of only a few players sharing a number with a spot on this 53-man projection. A week ago, he was little more than a camp body. Now, he is in the thick of it.

Polished routes, good hands, fluid after the catch, Cooper checked nearly every box in his first professional game. Tanner McKee, in easily the sharpest showing of his young career, targeted Cooper time and again, finding success on every level of the field. On a night full of offensive promise, he still stuck out. 

And so, all aboard the hype train. Forget a sixth receiver. If the Eagles want him, they will make room for him. It has not been without hiccups; Cooper dropped a routine pass at Tuesday’s practice. Those things happen. Even if cut, he will almost certainly remain in the building. It is clear that 31 teams missed out on more than nothing, and Philly may need to find another casualty to avoid his exposure on the practice squad.

Defense/Special Teams

IDL (5): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall

EDGE (5): Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt, Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, Ogbo Okoronkwo

LB (5): Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr.

DB (11): Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo, Adoree Jackson, Jakorian Bennett, Eli Ricks, Cooper DeJean, Mac McWilliams, Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Andrew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum

Kicker (1): Jake Elliott

Punter (1): Braden Mann

Long Snapper (1): Charley Hughlett

Notable Cuts: DT Byron Young, EDGE Patrick Johnson, EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., DB Tariq Castro-Fields, DB Parry Nickerson, DB Lewis Cine, DB Andre’ Sam

Backline Decisions Needed

Similar to the other side of the ball, the skeleton is laid out for the Philadelphia defense headed into September. But with the youngest and cheapest group in the NFL, the Eagles will need to be meticulous in choosing their understudies.

Gabe Hall, thought to be on the bubble or a long-shot prospect, has impressed the team so much that they blazed a trail for him, trading defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV to Las Vegas. If the trade had not cemented his spot on the 53, his domination against Cincinnati did. Hall injured his shoulder at practice, but if he is healthy in time, he will be on the team.

In return for Booker, the Eagles nabbed a freak athlete in corner back Jakorian Bennett. A depth option at worst, Bennett gave up minimal production in coverage last season with the Raiders. His advanced metrics are far from attractive, but the tools are prevalent. His 4.30 40-yard dash and 40.5 vertical combine scores are indicative of his ability to recover and remain in any play. While a tad undersized, Bennett loves to press, even against some of the game’s best receivers.

Patrick Johnson is a swing-name for a final spot. He has been impressive this summer in his return to Philly, most notably in a standout performance against the Bengals that saw a penalty-negated sack and a tip-drill interception. Johnson provides value on special teams, another factor that could sway his odds positively. But with Jihaad Campbell’s nonconformity both on and off the ball, the Eagles could be less inclined to fill another slot with an edge rusher, instead sliding Campbell down when needed.

Perhaps more intriguing than the personnel is the depth chart. Rookies Campbell and Andrew Mukuba will have roles, but in an unclear capacity. Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson have sputtered out of the gate in the race for a starting job on the boundary. Joshua Uche continues to get increased reps with the first team, now cutting into Jalyx Hunt’s time.

It feels like a work in progress that will span longer than the preseason. With joint practices commencing alongside the Browns, there will be increased clarity. But two weeks is an entire season for guys on the fringe, and the paint is far from dried.