Projecting Eagles Week 1 Starters Right Now

The Philadelphia Eagles are less than four weeks away from hosting the Washington Commanders in their first game of the 2026 NFL season. While some questions still need to be answered, here’s an early projection of the Eagles’ starters.

Quarterback: Jalen Hurts

Entering his sixth year as Philadelphia’s starter, Hurts looks to join an elite group as just the 14th quarterback in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowls.

Running back: Saquon Barkley

Barkley, who has had 625 carries over his first two years with the Eagles, will reportedly share more of his workload with Tank Bigsby in the new offensive system, allowing him to be fresher on his touches.

Wide Receiver: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon

Despite a hamstring injury sidelining him from a majority of training camp, Lemon is expected to have a major role early in the offense. Wicks has emerged as the clear WR2 next to Smith and has developed chemistry with Hurts.

Tight End: Dallas Goedert

Goedert signed a one-year extension to remain an Eagle, now entering year nine with Philadelphia. Despite Goedert coming off a career-high 11 touchdowns, the Eagles drafted Eli Stowers in the second round. While Goedert is the clear TE1, the question becomes when Stowers takes the torch and steps into the primary role, like Goedert did to Zach Ertz in 2021.

Offensive Line: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson

While the starting line from last season returns, the coaching infrastructure has changed, with Chris Kuper taking over as offensive line coach, replacing longtime coach Jeff Stoutland. Last season, the preferred starting offensive line only played every offensive snap together in a game once.

Edge: Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt

Greenard, who has spent all of training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to a pectoral strain, is not guaranteed to be healthy Week 1. If not, Nolan Smith will start next to Hunt.

Defensive Tackle: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis

The Georgia products remain the anchors of the interior defensive line. Meanwhile, Moro Ojomo will rotate in as a high-volume third starter, positioning himself for a major payday this offseason when he enters free agency or signs an extension.

Linebacker: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell

With Nakobe Dean signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in the spring, Campbell slides into the starting role, one he held to start the 2025 season while Dean was injured. Campbell earned the highest defensive grade in the preseason game against the Ravens.

Cornerback: Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean

Woolen signed a one-year contract with the Eagles, joining Mitchell and DeJean who were both named first-team All-Pros. DeJean will rotate between corner and safety, but for the sake of this exercise, the defense is in nickel.

Safety: Drew Mukuba, Marcus Epps

Epps appears to have the edge in the position battle over Michael Carter II, sitting out the preseason opener alongside the starters while Carter saw action.

Special Teams

• Kicker: Jake Elliott
• Punter: Braden Mann

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