The Philadelphia Eagles have officially trimmed their roster down to 53 players, and as expected, the process came with some surprises. A few unexpected cuts were made, and at least one puzzling player managed to secure a spot on the team. While this is only the “initial” 53-man roster, for many players, it’s the culmination of a lifelong dream, while others now find themselves searching for opportunities elsewhere. Let’s break down the roster position by position and react to the decisions made

Quarterbacks (3): Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee

No surprises here. The Eagles’ hopes ride on Jalen Hurts staying healthy this season. While Kenny Pickett may show improvement with the first-team offense, my confidence in him remains low. Tanner McKee has drawn some comparisons to Nick Foles, and for good reason. Their play styles are similar, marked by streaks of hot and cold performances.

Running Backs (3): Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley

There was debate about whether Tyrion Davis-Price should secure a spot as the fourth running back, but Howie ultimately decided against it. TDP offers downhill running ability that the Eagles lack beyond Saquon Barkley. This trio of running backs forms a solid and dependable group.

Wide Receivers (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson

I’ll be interested to see if the Eagles bring in another wide receiver. This group is top-heavy, and if one of the key players goes down, Wilson or Covey would have to step up, which doesn’t inspire much confidence. With Noah Brown available and connections to Kellen Moore, or the potential return of Parris Campbell on the practice squad, this position will be interesting to watch.

Tight Ends (2): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra

The Eagles are currently carrying only two tight ends. I thought E.J. Jenkins had done enough in training camp to secure a roster spot, so I expect him to be brought back to the practice squad. Keep an eye out for potential moves, like bringing back Jack Stoll.

Offensive Line (9): Mekhi Becton, Landon Dickerson, Fred Johnson, Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, Trevor Keegan, Darian Kinnard, Jordan Mailata, Tyler Steen

The Eagles are surprisingly light on the offensive line. They’re without a true backup center, having cut Dylan McMahon and Brett Toth, both of whom I expected to make the roster. Tyler Steen seems to be the top backup off the bench, so it’ll be interesting to see who they bring back to the practice squad.

Edge Rushers (6): Brandon Graham, Bryce Huff, Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson, Nolan Smith, Josh Sweat

No surprises here. Patrick Johnson was on the bubble, and before training camp, many had him off the roster. It was nice to see him step up and show why he belongs. I’ve always liked Johnson, so it’s great to see him make the cut.

Defensive Line (6): Thomas Booker, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu, Milton Williams

Shoutout to Thomas Booker for playing his way onto the roster. He consistently flashed during the preseason, and it paid off. The rest of the group were expected to make the team, and it’s shaping up to be a big year for this unit.

Linebackers (5): Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren, Devin White

This was one of the easier groups to project. VanSumeren was maybe on the bubble, but the Eagles like his special teams value and his potential to play linebacker if needed. While this may be one of the weaker linebacker groups in the NFL, they have the potential to surprise.

Cornerbacks (6): Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, Eli Ricks, Kelee Ringo, Isaiah Rodgers, Darius Slay

A couple of notable players were let go, including Josh Jobe and Zech McPhearson. Jobe was a special teams ace, and I thought that might be enough to keep him on the roster. McPhearson, who tore his Achilles last year, had been on the team for four years but didn’t show enough on defense. Eli Ricks, one of the more polarizing players this offseason, made the team, which was a surprise. I’m glad they kept him, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s moved before the season starts.

Safeties (5): Reed Blankenship, James Bradberry, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Avonte Maddox, Tristin McCollum

What on earth are Howie and the boys thinking with James Bradberry? He’s looked awful in training camp and preseason, so it’s puzzling why he’s still on the roster. The only explanation might be the cap hit they’d take if they released him, but it feels like a waste of a roster spot. On the bright side, Tristin McCollum made the team, and I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s worked hard and shown enough to earn his spot.

Special Teams (3): Jake Elliott (K), Braden Mann (P), Rick Lovato (LS)

Jake Elliott will likely retire an Eagle. Braden Mann is a welcome sight on this list instead of Arryn Siposs(expect this to be a yearly thing). And congrats to Rick Lovato, who continues to be one of the most reliable long snappers in the league.

Congratulations to everyone who made the 53-man roster! There’s still work to be done, and this roster could change before this article even posts. Keep an eye out for updates, as I expect Howie to be very active in the next 24-48 hours. As always, thank you for reading, and make sure to follow me on X @TheLincLineup and @cardiacchase!