Eagles depth chart following the 2021 NFL Draft: Offense edition

Now that free agency and the NFL Draft are behind us, let’s take a look at how the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2021 projected depth chart is coming together. We’ll start today with the offense before next moving on to defense and special teams. After that, we’ll post our first 53-man roster projection for the upcoming season. (For fun, you can look at how the roster looks compared to last year at this time.)

QUARTERBACK

1 - Jalen Hurts

2 - Joe Flacco

3 - Jamie Newman

Hurts has an opportunity to establish himself as the Eagles’ franchise quarterback. Should prove himself anything less than convincing, Philly could look to pivot. Flacco is an overpaid backup and there’s no meaningful value in any snaps he takes. Newman is an intriguing developmental option who might eventually be able to develop into QB2.

RUNNING BACK

1 - Miles Sanders

2 - Boston Scott

3 - Kenny Gainwell

4 - Kerryon Johnson

5 - Jordan Howard

6 - Jason Huntley

7 - Adrian Killins

8 - Elijah Holyfield

Sanders figures to receive the bulk of RB touches but he’s not going to monopolize the backfield. Scott isn’t a viable full-time workhorse but we know he can contribute as a role player. Gainwell was an exciting addition who provides more pass-catching juice. Johnson has struggled to be effective after multiple knee injuries but he’s still effectively contributed as a third-down back. Howard uniquely provides a physical skill-set as the Eagles’ biggest back but his roster spot isn’t guaranteed. Huntley and Killins are smaller guys with return skills. Holyfield had a good camp last year but he clearly has his work cut out for him to even make the practice squad this season.

WIDE RECEIVER

1 - DeVonta Smith

2 - Jalen Reagor

3 - Greg Ward

4 - Travis Fulgham

5 - Quez Watkins

6 - John Hightower

7 - J.J. Arcega-Whiteside

8 - Trevon Grimes

9 - Jhamon Ausbon

10 - Khalil Tate

Smith has the potential to be a difference-maker from the jump; he’s that good. Nick Sirianni said he expects to use Smith at multiple receiver positions. Reagor needs to step up in Year 2 after a disappointing rookie campaign. Ward is the oldest player in his position group despite only turning 26 this summer. Ward can help move the chains but he’s far from dynamic. Maybe there’s still hope for Fulgham, who led the NFL in receiving during a four-week stretch last year, as a starting X? Watkins showed some juice late last year. Hightower had a good training camp last year and he’ll need another one to ensure his 2021 roster spot. This might be JJAW’s last offseason with the team. Grimes was thought to be a draftable talent so he could be an interesting player to watch this summer. Ausbon is likely a camp body. Tate is a developmental project considering he’s transitioning from quarterback to receiver.

TIGHT END

1 - Zach Ertz

2 - Dallas Goedert

3 - Jason Croom

4 - Caleb Wilson

5 - Hakeem Butler

6 - Tyree Jackson

7 - Jack Stoll

Ertz wants out of Philly and it’s likely only a matter of time until he’s gone. Goedert figures to take over as TE1; will he maintain effeciency as his volume increases? Croom is currently the most experienced backup behind Goedert. Wilson is likely a camp body. Butler and Jackson are developmental projects. Butler is transitioning from receiver while Jackson is transitioning from quarterback. Stoll might have a chance to stick around with his competition hardly unbeatable. The Eagles could very well look to re-re-re-re-sign Richard Rodgers, whose No. 85 jersey number hasn’t been given out.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

1 - Lane Johnson

2 - Jordan Mailata

3 - Andre Dillard

4 - Jack Driscoll

5 - Brett Toth

Johnson is the starter at right tackle. Are his injuries finally behind him? He hasn’t played a 16-game season since 2015. Mailata isn’t guaranteed to be the starter at left tackle but he should get the first nod after showing promise in 2020. Dillard might end up starting at left tackle instead of Mailata but there’s no guarantee the 2019 first-round pick holds on to that job. Driscoll figures to be the top backup at right tackle if Mailata is starting at left. The Eagles seem to like Toth’s developmental potential.

OFFENSIVE GUARD

1 - Brandon Brooks

2 - Isaac Seumalo

3 - Nate Herbig

4 - Matt Pryor

5 - Sua Opeta

6 - Ross Pierschbacher

7 - Kayode Awosika

Will Brooks be back in Pro Bowl form after suffering multiple major injuries? I wouldn’t bet against him but it’s fair to wonder about the starting right guard. Seumalo figures to be the starting left guard ... unless Dickerson steals his job? Herbig was quietly good in 2020 and figures to be a quality interior backup. Pryor could be entering his last summer with the team after failing to impress whenever he’s played. Opeta’s in a similar boat to Pryor but with less versatility. Pierschbacher also has center experience so he might get looks at the pivot. Awosika is probably a practice squad candidate.

CENTER

1 - Jason Kelce

2 - Landon Dickerson

3 - Luke Juriga

4 - Harry Crider

Kelce’s entering what might be his final season in the NFL. Dickerson could get the first look at Kelce’s backup unless the Eagles might rather bump Seumalo inside. Juriga could make the roster at the expense of guys like Pryor and Opeta this year. Crider will be realistically aiming for a practice squad spot.