Eagles 53-man roster projection: Philly cuts bait with two recent trade acquisitions

The Eagles added eight new players to their roster during the 2026 NFL Draft.

From now until the start of the season, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman could make a few free-agent signings or pull off a few trades to strengthen the depth and talent of certain position groups, but the roster is pretty much set for the most part.

In the aftermath of the draft, we’ve made a way-too-early Eagles 53-man roster projection.

This projection includes the Eagles’ draft picks, but not the reported undrafted free agent signings that are still unofficial.

QUARTERBACK

Retained: Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Cole Payton (rookie)

Cut: Andy Dalton

Analysis: The Eagles won’t put Payton on waivers if he plays well during the preseason. They could waive Dalton and bring him back on the practice squad as the fourth quarterback.

RUNNING BACK

Retained: Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley

Cut: Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele

Analysis: If the Eagles had more depth and talent at running back, Shipley could be in trouble. He hasn’t shown much in his first two seasons with the team.

WIDE RECEIVER

Retained: DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon (rookie), Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper, Johnny Wilson

Cut: A.J. Brown (trade), Britian Covey, Danny Gray, Elijah Moore, Quez Watkins,

Analysis: We’re assuming Brown won’t be on the team next season. ESPN reported last week that the Patriots are expected to acquire Brown on or after June 1. Smith, Lemon, and Wicks would become Philadelphia’s new wide receiver core.

TIGHT END

Retained: Dallas Goedert, Eli Stowers (rookie), Cameron Latu, Johnny Mundt

Cut: Jaheim Bell, Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt

Analysis: Latu and Mundt make the 53-man roster to fill the team’s need for blocking tight ends. Latu can also play fullback. Calcaterra could struggle to make the team after the Eagles drafted pass-catching tight end Eli Stowers in the second round.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Retained: Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Markel Bell (rookie), Micah Morris (rookie), Cameron Williams

Cut: Jake Majors, Willie Lampkin, Hollin Pierce, John Ojukwu, Myles Hinton

Analysis: Lampkin was the toughest cut. Despite being injured at the time, the Eagles claimed him off waivers before the start of the 2025 season and placed him on injured reserve shortly after. Keeping him around for what was essentially a redshirt year shows how highly they think of him.

EDGE RUSHERS

Retained: Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Cut: Keyshawn James-Newby (rookie), Jose Ramirez

Analysis: Greenard could be Philadelphia’s best pass rusher since Haason Reddick. Acquiring him from the Vikings for two third-round picks was a steal. The Eagles now have a deep pass-rush rotation.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Retained: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Byron Young

Cut: Gabe Hall, Ta’Quon Graham

International Player Pathway program: Uar Bernard (the Nigerian rookie will be on the practice squad).

Analysis: Bernard has never played football before, but the Eagles selected him in the seventh round because he’s one of the best athletes to ever come out. He can spend the next few seasons on the practice squad as he learns how to play defensive tackle.

LINEBACKERS

Retained: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Smael Mondon Jr., Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Cut: Chandler Martin, Chance Campbell

Analysis: Campbell will step into a full-time starting role in 2026, and Trotter could play a more defensive role.

CORNERBACKS

Retained: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Tariq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams

Cut: Jakorian Bennett, Tariq Castro-Fields, Brandon Johnson, Ambry Thomas

Analysis: Last summer, the Eagles acquired Bennett from the Raiders and gave him a chance to compete for the starting cornerback job. He played poorly in limited snaps and quickly fell down the depth chart. The Eagles could end that experiment this summer.

SAFETIES

Retained: Drew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II, Cole Wisniewski (rookie)

Cut: J.T. Gray, Andre’ Sam

Analysis: Wisniewski could beat out Gray and Sam for a special teams role. Philadelphia could add another safety to compete with Epps and Carter for the starting job.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Retained: Kicker Jake Elliott, punter Braden Mann, (long snapper not on roster officially).

Analysis: The Eagles have not officially added a long snapper. They will at some point.

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