After Dave Zangaro took his guess at what the Eagles' 53-man roster will look like after Saturday's 4 p.m. cutdown deadline (see story), Reuben Frank now lists the 53 players he projects the Eagles to open the season with.
QBs (3): Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, Matt McGloin
I really want to cut McGloin, but with Foles' elbow situation - and I don't care what they say, I'm still concerned about him - I just can't do it right now.
RBs (4): Darren Sproles, LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement
I said all preseason no way they cut a fourth-round rookie, but Donnel Pumphrey didn't show one single flash the entire preseason. I know he's supposed to be a long-term project, but do you keep him over a promising player at another position just because he's a fourth-round pick? I say no.
WRs (5): Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, Marcus Johnson
Bryce Treggs would be No. 6 if they keep six, and Shelton Gibson got better as camp went on, but I think this is a good group and most definitely an improved group.
TEs (3): Zach Ertz, Trey Burton, Brent Celek
Pretty cut and dried here. This trio enters its fourth year together, which is pretty amazing.
OL (10): Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Chance Warmack, Dillon Gordon, Stefen Wisniewski, Dallas Thomas
Josh Andrews will probably re-appear at some point. He always does. But for now I think they keep Thomas instead. He had a good camp while Andrews was mainly injured.
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DE (6): Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett, Chris Long, Steven Means, Alex McCalister
I just can't get rid of McCalister after the preseason he had. He just has a real knack for getting to the quarterback. If he doesn't make it, why even have preseason games?
DT (5): Fletcher Cox, Tim Jernigan, Beau Allen, Destiny Vaeao, Elijah Qualls
Talk about defensive tackle depth. Allen, Vaeao and Qualls as back-ups to Cox and Jernigan is beastly. Very talented group.
LB (4): Jordan Hicks, Nigel Bradham, Michael Kendricks, Joe Walker
Going thin here, but I've got Nate Gerry and Don Cherry on the practice squad, a phone call away if you need them.
CB (5): Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Patrick Robinson, C.J. Smith
The big decision is whether or not to keep newly acquired Dexter McDougle, and when you weigh everything - keeping a guy who has been here about a week vs., say, keeping an extra defensive end who had 3 1/2 sacks in the preseason, it's an easy call. Smith quietly had a very good preseason and deserves a spot. And Sidney Jones is always there on PUP.
S (5): Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Corey Graham, Chris Maragos, Jaylen Watkins
Watkins' ability to play corner as well as safety enables you to keep five corners instead of six. Maragos isn't really a safety except in an emergency. Graham gives you depth and experience as a third safety.
Specialists (3) LS: Rick Lovato; P: Cameron Johnston; K: Caleb Sturgis
The Jon Dorenbos trade showed us nobody is safe around here. Cameron Johnston outplayed Donnie Jones, and I think Howie Roseman's message is clear. If two guys are close, he's keeping the younger (and cheaper) one.
