Eliot Predicts The Eagles 53 Man Roster

[Note by JasonB, 08/30/12 10:42 PM EDT ] You should see roster projections from myself, Eliot and John Breitenbach today. Eliot takes the first crack at it here.

Quarterbacks (3): Michael Vick, Nick Foles, Trent Edwards
Andy Reid might decide that he wants to see another year of Mike Kafka, but if he does, he'll be making the wrong decision. The role of the 3rd quarterback is to come in and handle the team in an emergency situation. This preseason Edwards has shown he can come in and run the offense. If Vick and Foles were to go down in the same game, Edwards is by far the better option to come in and calm things down.

Running backs (3) : LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis, Bryce Brown
Who will be the teams back up running back? Dion Lewis may have that job right now, but I would not be surprised to see Bryce Brown eventually take over that role as the season goes on. Brown is capable of making plays by just getting the hand off- something Lewis has yet to show he can do. Chris Polk is a tough cut, and the Eagles may hold onto him knowing they will lose him to another team if they let him go. But despite how good he has looked, it's hard to say where he fits into the team if Stanley Havili and Lewis are on it.

Wide Receivers (5): DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Riley Cooper, Damaris Johnson.
It looked like during the beginning part of Lehigh that Marvin McNutt was going to seize the much needed role of "tall wideout" on this team. With Cooper hurt McNutt had every chance to do so, but was unable to. Cooper makes this team, but since he might not be ready in Week 1, look for the Eagles to possibly sign Mardy Gilyard once they decided to do with all of their defensive linemen. Gilyard has had a good preseason, and showed on Thursday night that he can be effective on special teams as well.

Fullback (1): Stanley Havili
Despite never using one, Reid always likes to keep a full back. Some hope that Polk could take over this job, but Havili has done enough to win the job.

Tight Ends (2): Brent Celek, Clay Harbor
The tight end position has quietly been very deep for the Eagles during preseason. Clay Harbor, Brett Brackett and Chas Ford have all shown flashes during camp. Celek and Harbor will be the Eagles tight ends, but Brackett should end up on the practice squad.

Offensive Line (8): Todd Herremans, Danny Watkins, Jason Kelce, Evan Mathis, King Dunlap, Demetress Bell, Dennis Kelly, Julian Vandervelde
I think the Eagles will go light on the offensive line in order to keep everyone on the defensive line. Demetress Bell could be a surprise cut, but the Eagles will likely give him more time to show he can pickup Howard Mudd's system.

Defensive Line (11): Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Fletcher Cox, Derek Landri, Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Phillip Hunt, Cedric Thornton, Darryl Tapp, Antonio Dixion
Everyone in the NFL is waiting to pick up which ever player the Eagles end up letting go on the defensive line. They'll be dissapointed, however, as I think the Eagles will keep all of their playmakers on the roster. The Eagles know that they can get something for a player like Tapp or Dixon, and won't just let him walk. Will all 11 be on the opening day roster? That is less certain.

Linebackers (7): DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks, Akeem Jordan, Jamar Chaney, Brian Rolle, Casey Matthews Keenan Clayton
The Eagles need depth at this positon, as no player has really stepped up and demanded playing time other than Akeem Jordan. Brain Rolle will survive this cut, and Clayton will sneak onto this roster because of his strong special teams play.

Cornerbacks (6): Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Curtis Marsh, Brandon Boykin, Joselio Hanson, Brandon Hughes
Just like the the players on the defensive line, the Eagles are not going to just let a player of value walk away. Joselio Hanson's time with the Eagles will likely not last past this year, but I don't think Brandon Boykin has shown enough that the Eagles will let Hanson go. Brandon Hughes- who is an underrated cornerback- will make this team because Bobby April will demand he does.

Safties (4): Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, O.J. Atogwe, Jaiquawn Jarrett
Jarrett had held on for dear life during this preseason, but the good news is that while he was struggling, no one stepped up and took his spot. O.J. Atogwe has been a dissapointment since he came to the team, but the Eagles won't go with only 3 safeties.

Special Teams (3): Alex Henery, Chas Henry, Jon Dorenbos
I'll say it again- the Eagles need to teach someone else to long snap the ball. Nothing against Dorenbos, but the Eagles could keep a player like Chris Polk if they had a long snapper who also contributed elsewhere on the field.