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PHILADELPHIA − None of this was going to happen overnight for the Eagles' draft picks.
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And that's exactly what we're seeing through the first week of training camp as first-round pick Makai Lemon, a wide receiver, is dealing with a hamstring injury; and second-round pick Eli Stowers, a tight end, is progressing slowly at a relatively new position for him.
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Even third-round pick Markel Bell, who has clearly been the best of the Eagles' rookies, is finding the adjustment to the NFL to be a tough one.
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"Probably the mental side," Bell said about the biggest adjustment from college. "It’s definitely more of a mental strain. But it’s a physical strain too."
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That's saying something considering that Bell is 6-foot-9, 346 pounds. But he has been moving between left tackle, the position he played in junior college and then at Miami, and right tackle, a position he never played. Bell is vying with veteran Fred Johnson to be the top backup for both left tackle Jordan Mailata and right tackle Lane Johnson.
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That has proven to be an important position for the Eagles. Mailata missed five games in 2024 while Johnson missed eight last season. And the dropoff to Fred Johnson, who replaced both, was noticeable.
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Bell is more than holding his own so far.
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That hasn't been the case for Lemon, primarily due to his injury, or Stowers.
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Lemon might have already missed too much time to be considered WR2 by the start of the regular season. And Stowers as of now slots in as the fourth tight end.
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Granted, there is still time for that to change as NFL cutdown day isn't until Aug. 30. Here is where the Eagles' rookies, along with the rest of the team, stand in our 53-man roster projection/depth chart. Players are listed in order of where they are on the depth chart.
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In: Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee
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Out: Cole Payton
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Comment: I'm counting on McKee getting traded at some point before the deadline in early November. Until then, Dalton is a better No. 2. Payton, who has thrown 4 interceptions so far, is a project who can develop on the practice squad. If McKee is traded, the Eagles will need to sign a No. 3 QB − or hope nothing happens to Hurts or Dalton.
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JALEN HURTS THRIVING: 3 signs Jalen Hurts will thrive in Eagles' offense ... after a bad INT
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In: Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley
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Out: Dameon Pierce, Elijah Mitchell, Carson Steele
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Comment: Barkley and Bigsby can form a solid 1-2 punch, with Bigsby getting a few series during the course of a game to preserve Barkley throughout the season. Shipley gets the last spot because of his special teams prowess.
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In: Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Cameron Latu, Eli Stowers
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Out: Grant Calcaterra, Dae'Quan Wright, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt
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Comment: Mundt has the advantage of knowing Eagles OC Sean Mannion and his system. He's also the best blocking tight end. Latu is a valuable special teams player. Stowers could end up having a pseudo redshirt season.
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In: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore
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Out: Johnny Wilson, Quez Watkins, Britain Covey, Samori Toure, Brandon Hayes, Erik Ezukanma, Danny Gray
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Comment: With Smith nursing a hamstring injury, Wicks and Cooper have been the best WRs so far. But no one is making the Eagles forget about A.J. Brown. The Eagles are being cautious with Smith because he HAS to be ready for Week 1. Keep an eye on Ezukanma, who could make a run for that last WR spot.
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In: (starters, from left) Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson. Reserves: Markel Bell, Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Cameron Williams, Micah Morris, Michael Jordan
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Out: Willie Lampkin, Hollin Pierce, Jaeden Roberts, John Ojukwu, Jake Majors, Myles Hinton
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Comment: The starting unit is among the best in the NFL. The dropoff to the reserves, however, is steep. So health will be huge. Bell gets the swing tackle spot over Fred Johnson. Kendall has had a strong camp and should be the backup at center and guard.
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In: Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, AJ Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie
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Out: Jose Ramirez, Joshua Weru, Keyshawn James-Newby
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Comment: Greenard should be off the PUP list before the end of camp. Expect a breakout season from Hunt. Epenesa, the former Bill, has looked sharp. James-Newby, the Eagles seventh-round pick, should get to the practice squad.
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In: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard
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Out: Zion Wilson, Gabe Hall
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Comment: The top three in Carter, Davis and Ojomo are stars. Young is solid. Robinson, the fourth-round pick last season, gets one more chance to show something. As an International Pathways Program player, Bernard stays so that another team doesn't claim him. But as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio put it, Bernard and fellow IPP player Joshua Weru are "light years away" from being NFL ready.
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In: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter, Chance Campbell
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Out: Smael Mondon, Deontae Lawson
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Comment: Fangio said "Don't sleep on Chance (Campbell)," and we're not. He has outplayed Mondon so far. The decision could come down to special teams, and who the Eagles think can get to the practice squad.
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In: Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo
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Out: Mac McWilliams, Jakorian Bennett, Sean Wade, Maximus Pulley, Ambry Thomas, Tariq Castro-Fields
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Comment: The Eagles could very well have the top CB trio in the league in Mitchell and DeJean, who were All Pros last season, in addition to Woolen. Jones is a veteran backup on both outside and nickel. Ringo stays because he's a Pro Bowl special teams player.
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In: Drew Mukuba, Michael Carter, Marcus Epps
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Out: J.T. Gray, Andre Sam, Cole Wisniewski, Kapena Gushiken
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Comment: The Eagles can get away with keeping three because DeJean will play safety in base packages. Carter, a converted nickel, seems to be pulling ahead of Epps for the starting job next to Mukuba. A hamstring injury has set Wisniewski, the Eagles' seventh-round pick, back.
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In: Jake Elliott-kicker, Braden Mann-punter
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Out: Rocco Underwood-long snapper
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Comment: Underwood, an undrafted free agent, can get to practice squad, and thus get the elevations on game day. The Eagles are confident enough in Elliott by not bringing in competition.
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Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles 53-man roster projection. This rookie (not Lemon) gets big role
Continue reading...
\n
And that's exactly what we're seeing through the first week of training camp as first-round pick Makai Lemon, a wide receiver, is dealing with a hamstring injury; and second-round pick Eli Stowers, a tight end, is progressing slowly at a relatively new position for him.
\n
Even third-round pick Markel Bell, who has clearly been the best of the Eagles' rookies, is finding the adjustment to the NFL to be a tough one.
\n
Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets
\n
"Probably the mental side," Bell said about the biggest adjustment from college. "It’s definitely more of a mental strain. But it’s a physical strain too."
\n
That's saying something considering that Bell is 6-foot-9, 346 pounds. But he has been moving between left tackle, the position he played in junior college and then at Miami, and right tackle, a position he never played. Bell is vying with veteran Fred Johnson to be the top backup for both left tackle Jordan Mailata and right tackle Lane Johnson.
\n
That has proven to be an important position for the Eagles. Mailata missed five games in 2024 while Johnson missed eight last season. And the dropoff to Fred Johnson, who replaced both, was noticeable.
\n
Bell is more than holding his own so far.
\n
That hasn't been the case for Lemon, primarily due to his injury, or Stowers.
\n
Lemon might have already missed too much time to be considered WR2 by the start of the regular season. And Stowers as of now slots in as the fourth tight end.
\n
Granted, there is still time for that to change as NFL cutdown day isn't until Aug. 30. Here is where the Eagles' rookies, along with the rest of the team, stand in our 53-man roster projection/depth chart. Players are listed in order of where they are on the depth chart.
\n
Quarterback (3)
\nIn: Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee
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Out: Cole Payton
\n
Comment: I'm counting on McKee getting traded at some point before the deadline in early November. Until then, Dalton is a better No. 2. Payton, who has thrown 4 interceptions so far, is a project who can develop on the practice squad. If McKee is traded, the Eagles will need to sign a No. 3 QB − or hope nothing happens to Hurts or Dalton.
\n
JALEN HURTS THRIVING: 3 signs Jalen Hurts will thrive in Eagles' offense ... after a bad INT
\n
Running back (3)
\nIn: Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley
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Out: Dameon Pierce, Elijah Mitchell, Carson Steele
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Comment: Barkley and Bigsby can form a solid 1-2 punch, with Bigsby getting a few series during the course of a game to preserve Barkley throughout the season. Shipley gets the last spot because of his special teams prowess.
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Tight end (4)
\nIn: Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Cameron Latu, Eli Stowers
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Out: Grant Calcaterra, Dae'Quan Wright, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt
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Comment: Mundt has the advantage of knowing Eagles OC Sean Mannion and his system. He's also the best blocking tight end. Latu is a valuable special teams player. Stowers could end up having a pseudo redshirt season.
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Wide receiver (6)
\nIn: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore
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Out: Johnny Wilson, Quez Watkins, Britain Covey, Samori Toure, Brandon Hayes, Erik Ezukanma, Danny Gray
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Comment: With Smith nursing a hamstring injury, Wicks and Cooper have been the best WRs so far. But no one is making the Eagles forget about A.J. Brown. The Eagles are being cautious with Smith because he HAS to be ready for Week 1. Keep an eye on Ezukanma, who could make a run for that last WR spot.
\n
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Offensive line (11)
\nIn: (starters, from left) Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson. Reserves: Markel Bell, Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Cameron Williams, Micah Morris, Michael Jordan
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Out: Willie Lampkin, Hollin Pierce, Jaeden Roberts, John Ojukwu, Jake Majors, Myles Hinton
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Comment: The starting unit is among the best in the NFL. The dropoff to the reserves, however, is steep. So health will be huge. Bell gets the swing tackle spot over Fred Johnson. Kendall has had a strong camp and should be the backup at center and guard.
\n
Edge rusher (5)
\nIn: Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, AJ Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie
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Out: Jose Ramirez, Joshua Weru, Keyshawn James-Newby
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Comment: Greenard should be off the PUP list before the end of camp. Expect a breakout season from Hunt. Epenesa, the former Bill, has looked sharp. James-Newby, the Eagles seventh-round pick, should get to the practice squad.
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Defensive tackle (6)
\nIn: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard
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Out: Zion Wilson, Gabe Hall
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Comment: The top three in Carter, Davis and Ojomo are stars. Young is solid. Robinson, the fourth-round pick last season, gets one more chance to show something. As an International Pathways Program player, Bernard stays so that another team doesn't claim him. But as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio put it, Bernard and fellow IPP player Joshua Weru are "light years away" from being NFL ready.
\n
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\n
Linebacker (5)
\nIn: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter, Chance Campbell
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Out: Smael Mondon, Deontae Lawson
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Comment: Fangio said "Don't sleep on Chance (Campbell)," and we're not. He has outplayed Mondon so far. The decision could come down to special teams, and who the Eagles think can get to the practice squad.
\n
Cornerback (5)
\nIn: Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo
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Out: Mac McWilliams, Jakorian Bennett, Sean Wade, Maximus Pulley, Ambry Thomas, Tariq Castro-Fields
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Comment: The Eagles could very well have the top CB trio in the league in Mitchell and DeJean, who were All Pros last season, in addition to Woolen. Jones is a veteran backup on both outside and nickel. Ringo stays because he's a Pro Bowl special teams player.
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Safety (3)
\nIn: Drew Mukuba, Michael Carter, Marcus Epps
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Out: J.T. Gray, Andre Sam, Cole Wisniewski, Kapena Gushiken
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Comment: The Eagles can get away with keeping three because DeJean will play safety in base packages. Carter, a converted nickel, seems to be pulling ahead of Epps for the starting job next to Mukuba. A hamstring injury has set Wisniewski, the Eagles' seventh-round pick, back.
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Specialists (2)
\nIn: Jake Elliott-kicker, Braden Mann-punter
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Out: Rocco Underwood-long snapper
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Comment: Underwood, an undrafted free agent, can get to practice squad, and thus get the elevations on game day. The Eagles are confident enough in Elliott by not bringing in competition.
\n
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
\n
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles 53-man roster projection. This rookie (not Lemon) gets big role
Continue reading...
