Eagles post-NFL draft depth chart: Defensive front reinforced, TE remains unpredictable

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The Philadelphia Eagles entered the offseason with a maintenance-oriented plan to balance a budget that needed to make room for future contract extensions without jettisoning too many key veterans. A reigning Super Bowl champion seeking to elongate its golden era accepted the risk of a conservative free agency cycle, knowing that the 10 rookies it eventually acquired in another trade-happy draft could help fill the depth holes that remained, especially on defense.

After agreeing to terms with eight undrafted players, the Eagles now have 90 players who will eventually be under contract. Plenty can change between now and the beginning of training camp. But here’s what Philadelphia’s roster looks like exiting the draft. (Rookies are italicized.)

Quarterback

Projected starter: Jalen Hurts

Backup: Tanner McKee

Others: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Kyle McCord

General manager Howie Roseman restocked his “quarterback factory” by spending the No. 168 pick on Syracuse’s Kyle McCord. It’s a homecoming for McCord, who attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory before initially enrolling at Ohio State, where he backed up C.J. Stroud for two years, started for the Buckeyes for one season, then transferred to Syracuse, where he finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting while setting new single-season school records for completions (391), attempts (592), passing yards (4,779) and touchdown passes (34). He’ll battle Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the QB3 spot. To pick nits, if DTR is eventually cut, the Kenny Pickett trade will have netted the loser of a QB3 battle and a No. 164 pick that bought the security of the Eagles landing Jihaad Campbell in a one-spot move they may not have needed to make. But even nominal returns out of the QB3 spot are more than most teams get.

Running back

Projected starter: Saquon Barkley

Backups: Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon, Ben VanSumeren (FB)

Practice squad battle: Tyrion Davis-Price, Lew Nichols III, Avery Williams, Montrell Johnson, ShunDerrick Powell

Calling running back a need for the Eagles on the draft would’ve been blasphemy. Saquon Barkley set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a full season and was rewarded with a two-year, $41.2 million extension, making him the highest-paid running back in league history. The Eagles addressed depth by spending a 2024 fourth-round pick on Will Shipley, and they backfilled Kenny Gainwell’s departure by signing A.J. Dillon in free agency. The Eagles added two undrafted free agents in Montrell Johnson (Florida) and ShunDerrick Powell (Central Arkansas). But barring any major surprises, this is the most predictable room on the team.

Wide receiver

Projected starters: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson

Backups: Johnny Wilson, Terrace Marshall, Ainias Smith

Practice squad battle: Danny Gray, Elijah Cooks, Taylor Morin

As long as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith remain together in Philadelphia, they’ll absorb the lion’s share of targets in a given season. The Eagles will almost certainly build on the run-oriented system that helped them win Super Bowl LIX, which means there will once again be less targets to go around. Still, wide receiver depth can’t be ignored. Brown and Smith have both managed injuries during their tenures. The Eagles have filled out their depth chart with moderate investments. They essentially traded back from the third to the fifth round while also giving up two seventh-round picks to acquire Jahan Dotson in training camp. They spent a 2024 sixth-round pick on Johnny Wilson, who, beyond his five catches, contributed meaningful snaps in run-blocking roles. After signing Terrace Marshall to a one-year, $1.2 million deal, the Eagles could address other needs in the draft.

Tight end

Projected starter: Dallas Goedert

Backups: Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson, Harrison Bryant

Practice squad battle: E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu, Nick Muse

This could change very quickly. Dallas Goedert, 30, is entering the final season of his contract and is scheduled to be the team’s fifth-highest cap hit in 2025 ($11.7 million), according to Over the Cap. He’s been productive when healthy, but even apart from his frequent injuries, he’d still be the subject of cost-cutting speculation. Clearly, the Eagles haven’t yet found a trade partner. “Dallas is part of the team as we speak,” Roseman said Saturday. “Obviously, as we go forward, we’re going to continue to address things on this team, and right now — nothing further.” If the Eagles indeed move on from Goedert, they supplemented depth behind Grant Calcaterra by signing Kyle Granson and Harrison Bryant to one-year deals. The Eagles prefer to give themselves options, and it doesn’t help them that they didn’t acquire a tight end in the draft.

Offensive tackle

Projected starters: Lane Johnson (RT), Jordan Mailata (LT)

Backups: Darian Kinnard, Kendall Lamm, Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams

Practice squad battle: Brett Toth, Hollin Pierce, Laekin Vakalahi (exempt)

Investing in the trenches remains a primary priority for the Eagles. Roseman said any time there was an offensive lineman available who was at the top of the names remaining on their draft board, they took him. The Eagles spent sixth-round picks on two tackle-only prospects in Myles Hinton (191) and Cameron Williams (207). Swing tackle also became a position of need after Fred Johnson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. As far as backup battles go, this one will be interesting to monitor. In-house, Darian Kinnard and Laekin Vakalahi have already trained under position coach Jeff Stoutland. The Eagles also signed 11-year veteran Kendall Lamm to a one-year, $1.5 million deal in free agency. Now, Hinton and Williams enter the mix. Hollin Pierce, a 6-8, 325-pound UDFA from Rutgers, shouldn’t be ignored, either. Long-term, someone eventually must succeed Lane Johnson. Will a Jordan Mailata-type project emerge from this group?

Guard

Left guard: Landon Dickerson (LG)

Right guard battle: Tyler Steen, Trevor Keegan, Kenyon Green, Matt Pryor

A position battle at right guard officially began when Mekhi Becton signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. The Eagles didn’t draft anyone with collegiate experience playing guard, although it’s worth noting that Boston College center Drew Kendall, the No. 168 pick, is listed as a C/G on the official roster. (Kendall said he believes he can play guard.) The Eagles may believe they’ve already invested plenty to yield a capable replacement. Tyler Steen, a 2023 third-round pick, was the frontrunner last year until he was beaten out by Becton in training camp (Steen also missed time with an ankle injury). The Eagles spent a 2024 fifth-round pick on Trevor Keegan. They also acquired Kenyon Green, a 2022 first-round pick, in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade. Green, like Becton before him, has the opportunity to revamp his career under Stoutland’s tutelage.

Center

Projected starter: Cam Jurgens

Backups: Drew Kendall

Three days before the NFL Draft began, the Eagles made Cam Jurgens the second-highest-paid center in the NFL with a four-year, $68 million contract. Still, the Eagles stood to acquire depth along the interior. Left guard Landon Dickerson had to shift over to center when Jurgens managed his back injury during the playoffs. The Eagles had invested a sixth-round pick in Dylan McMahon last year but cut him in training camp. Drew Kendall is another Day 3 investment who could potentially be cross-trained at guard. But he never logged a snap anywhere other than center at Boston College. His father, Pete, played 13 seasons for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Washington Redskins. 

Edge

Projected starters: Nolan Smith, Jihaad Campbell

Backups: Jalyx Hunt, Bryce Huff, Azeez Ojulari, Josh Uche, Antwaun Powell-Ryland

Practice squad battle: Patrick Johnson, KJ Henry, Ochuan Mathis

Roseman said Thursday he didn’t want to put first-round pick Jihaad Campbell in a box. But for the sake of a depth chart, I’m listing him as an edge rusher. He has the skillset to play off-ball linebacker (and very well could in some alignments), but it’s clear that the Eagles value Campbell’s ability to affect the passing game. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deployed an array of fronts throughout the 2024 season. Campbell’s addition will unlock further creativity. The Eagles needed to ensure productivity along the edge after the retirement of Brandon Graham. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt both showed promise in the playoffs last year. But Bryce Huff remains a question mark. The Eagles created competition by signing Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche to one-year deals and spending a seventh-round pick on Virginia Tech’s Antwaun Powell-Ryland.

Defensive tackle

Projected starters: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis

Backups: Moro Ojomo, Thomas Booker, Ty Robinson

Practice squad battle: Byron Young, Gabe Hall

This position room was already a strength for the Eagles. Jalen Carter, the No. 9 pick in 2023, was named a second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler last season, which puts him on track for a contract extension that should make him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league. The Eagles will need to offset that cost. They couldn’t afford to retain Milton Williams, who became the highest-paid player in New England Patriots history. Roseman still hasn’t disclosed whether the Eagles will pick up Jordan Davis’ fifth-year option. But Ty Robinson could end up being a sleeper pick for the Eagles at No. 111. Roseman called him “a Philly type of player.” Like Williams, Robinson has a history of lining up in multiple spots inside. The 6-5, 288-pound lineman was a five-year starter at Nebraska and amassed seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in his best (and final) season. Worthy of note: he was pre-med in college. Also: he has a pet camel.

Linebacker

Projected starters: Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean

Backups: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr.

Practice squad battle: Dallas Gant, Lance Dixon

The Eagles only needed to supply depth at linebacker during the draft. Re-signing Zack Baun was Roseman’s top priority of the offseason, and the Eagles made Baun their highest-paid linebacker in history before free agency even began. Roseman reiterated his confidence in Nakobe Dean during the draft, but it can’t be ignored that Dean could miss the beginning of the season while recovering from his torn patellar tendon, and he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract. Philadelphia’s modest investment in the depth of the linebacker room supplies them with a contingency plan. They spent a 2024 fifth-round pick on Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and they spent another fifth-round pick in this cycle on Georgia’s Smael Mondon Jr. The 6-2, 224-pound prospect fits the more traditional off-ball mold. Like Trotter in 2024, he can also carve out a meaningful role on special teams.

Cornerback

Projected starters: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean

Backups: Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson, Eli Ricks, Mac McWilliams

Practice squad battle: A.J. Woods, Parry Nickerson, Tariq Castro-Fields, BJ Mayes

The biggest defensive question for the Eagles this summer is whether Cooper DeJean will remain at nickel or move to outside cornerback. The No. 40 pick in 2024, DeJean was drafted as a cornerback. But by the time he returned in training camp from an offseason hamstring injury, nickel was Philadelphia’s most pressing need. That DeJean flourished as a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist makes the decision tricky. But the Eagles need to replace Darius Slay. DeJean could remain at nickel if Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson or Eli Ricks emerge as options in a best-possible configuration for the secondary. It’d be presumptuous to suggest fifth-round rookie Mac McWilliams could start opposite Quinyon Mitchell. McWilliams also has experience playing in the slot. Could he or second-round pick Drew Mukuba backfill DeJean at nickel?

Safety

Projected starters: Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown

Backups: Drew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum

Practice squad battle: Andre’ Sam, Lewis Cine, Brandon Johnson, Maxen Hook

It was sensible for the Eagles to add competition and depth at safety by spending a second-round pick on Drew Mukuba. Even if Sydney Brown wins the starting job opposite Reed Blankenship, the Eagles still need a dime defender to replace Avonte Maddox. Mukuba could also be an option to backfill Cooper DeJean at nickel if the Eagles decide to move DeJean to cornerback. But Roseman said Mukuba will start out in the safety room. Free safety has also been Mukuba’s strongest position. His development flatlined while playing nickel for Clemson in the two seasons before he transferred to Texas, where he led the Longhorns with five interceptions. The safety battle will be interesting to watch. Brown, a 2023 third-round pick, fielded an impressive rookie season before suffering an ACL tear in the regular-season finale.

Specialists

Projected starters: Jake Elliott (K), Braden Mann (P), Charley Hughlett (LS)

The Eagles signed a new long-snapper in Charley Hughlett after Rick Lovato’s contract expired in the offseason. Lovato, who spent nine seasons with the Eagles, was one of their longest-tenured players. Jake Elliott and Braden Mann will spend offseason workouts recalibrating their routines with Hughlett, 34, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Eagles after playing 10 seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

(Top photo of Jihaad Campbell: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)

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