Updated Eagles depth chart after 1st wave of NFL free-agency signings

Some of you younger Philadelphia Eagles fans won't remember this. You guys are spoiled. This team wasn't always owned by Jeffrey Lurie or run by Howie Roseman. As much as we old heads love this team, there were tougher times to endure.

Our Birds weren't always a two-time Super Bowl-winning organization. There were some rough spots. A fog fell on Soldier Field. Bryce Paup shredded Randall Cunningham's knee by way of a low shot that would probably be illegal today.

So, forgive us if we reference the past 12 months more often than we should or mention a backwards hurdle when we should move on to other things. There were days when we wondered if the first Lombardi Trophy would come, but guess what?

Now, our Birds have two.

Updates Eagles depth chart

And, so it begins, the process of building another winner we hope can repeat as champions and defend Philly's crown. The first wave of free agency is gone. The Eagles have lost familiar faces but simultaneously added new guys we'll get to know.

The roster is still impressive. Most of the important cogs still remain. Here's a look at the updated depth chart. Feel free to drop us a line with any of your theories.

Quarterbacks

Starter: Jalen Hurts
Reserves: Tanner McKee, Dorian Thompson-Robinson

There are no surprises here. Philly and the Cleveland Browns swapped players and picks. Kenny Pickett is out. DTR is in. He isn't the Browns star some wanted Philly to add, but he's an interesting prospect (even if we don't expect him to play).

Running Backs

Starter: Saquon Barkley
Backups: Will, Shipley, A.J. Dillon,
Reserves: Avery Williams, Tyrion Davis-Price, Lew Nichols

Saquon Barkley needs some help. We don't want Philly to run him into the ground. Kenneth Gainwell joins Darius Slay in Pittsburgh, but the Birds recoup some of the loss by adding A.J. Dillon, another sledgehammer.

Fullback

Ben VanSumeren

The Eagles re-sign a valuable and versatile chess piece. VanSumeren plays fullback, linebacker and is valuable on special teams.

Wide Receivers

Starters: A.J. Brown (X), DeVonta Smith (Y), Jahan Dotson (Z)
Backups: Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith,
Reserves: Elijah Cooks, Danny Gray

The top of the depth chart is elite. The bottom half leaves much to be desired. Philly's inability to find quality backups for A.J. and DeVonta isn't because of a lack of effort, but this unit needs something.

We aren't excited about Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith yet, but they're no longer rookies. Hopefully they take a step forward.

Tight Ends

Starter: Dallas Goedert (for now)
Backup: Grant Calcaterra
Reserves: Harrison Bryant, Kylen Granson, Nick Muse, E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu

At the time of this story's release, Dallas Goedert is still on the Eagles' roster. Still, if a trade partner can't be found, it's expected that he'll be released.

Left Tackle

Starter: Jordan Mailata
Backup: Laekin Vakalahi?

Philly let a wave of free agency pass without re-signing Fred Johnson, Le'Raven Clark, or Jack Driscoll. Should we assume that means Laekin Vakalahi is Jordan's backup at LT now?

Expect Philly to add another player here at some point, a backup swing tackle perhaps.

Left Guard

Starter: Landon Dickerson
Backup: Kenyon Green

Landon Dickerson is going to land on a ton of Pro Bowl rosters moving forward. Kenyon Green provides the insurance.

Center

Starter: Cam Jurgens
Backup: Brett Toth

Brett Toth may not be the next man up if anything happens to Cam Jurgens, but technically, he's the backup center on Philly's offensive roster.

Right Guard

Starter: Tyler Steen
Backup: Trevor Keegan

Keep an eye on Trevor Keegan. Philly needs depth, but he's a mauler we think the world of.

Right Tackle

Starter: Lane Johnson
Backup: Darrian Kinnard

Lane Johnson said he'd play one more year regardless of Super Bowl 59's result. It would still be wise for Philadelphia to begin exploring a succession plan.

Defensive End

Starter: Moro Ojomo
Reserves: Byron Young & K.J. Henry

Philly uses multiple defensive fronts in its deployment. Our depth chart is crafted with the 3-4 alignment (three down linemen and four linebackers) being the base set.

Moro Ojomo can play inside and out and should provide a relatively smooth transition after Milton Williams moves on.

Nose Tackle

Starter: Jordan Davis
Backup: Thomas Booker IV

Jordan Davis and Thomas Booker are bid-bodied stop-gaps here to clog the middle for opposing offenses.

Defensive Tackle

Starter: Jalen Carter
Backup: Gabe Hall

Jalen Carter is the best in the business. Milton Williams is listed on the roster as a DT, but we imagine there will be attempts to get him and Carter on the field simultaneously.

Weakside Linebacker (WILL)

Starter: Nolan Smith Jr.
Backup: Jalyx Hunt

Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt are super athletic. We're excited about both these guys.

Middle (Inside) Linebackers (MIKE)

Starters: Zack Baun & Nakobe Dean
Backups: Jeremiah Trotter Jr, & Dallas Gant
Reserve: Ben VanSumeren

Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean would both start in the middle under normal circumstances. Dean is injured however and should miss the beginning of next season.

Strongside Linebacker

Starter: Bryce Huff
Backup: Josh Uche
Reserves: Patrick Johnson and Ochaun Mathis

Bryce Huff is on the trade block with Dallas Goedert. Josh Uche is the new guy. He's listed as the backup here but only because he's new and hasn't met everyone yet.

Outside Cornerbacks

Starter: Quinyon Mitchell and Kelee Ringo
Backups: Adoree' Jackson and Eli Ricks
Reserve: Tariq Castro-Fields

It's Kelee Ringo's time to shine. Is he ready? We certainly hope so.

Nickelbacks

Starter: Cooper DeJean
Backup: Parry Nickerson

Strong Safety

Starter: Sydney Brown
Reserves: Lewis Cine, Andre' Sam

If you see Tristin McCollum as a strong safety because he's a better cover guy, we won't blame you. Still, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Houston now, it makes sense to believe Reed and Sydney are the starters.

Free Safety

Starter: Reed Blankenship
Backup: Tristin McCollum

What a story Reed has been. Once an undrafted rookie free agent, he's firmly entrenched as one of the imprtant cogs on the defense.

Special Teams

Placekicker - Jake Elliott
Punter - Braden Mann
Holder - Braden Mann
Long Snapper: Charley Hughlett
Punt Returners - Cooper DeJean, Avery Williams
Kick Returner - Will Shipley, Avery Williams

It sounds weird to say this, but Jake Elliott was a question mark all season. Will Philly add a kicker to create competition? Regression comes quickly sometimes in the NFL, even for an athlete as gifted as Jake is.

Charley Hughlett is here to replace Rick Lovato. The Eagles also added Avery Williams. He hasn't taken a single snap for this team, so we've labeled Coop and Will as the punt and kick returners, but the thought is that will change as we move through the offseason.

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