PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles open the 2023 NFL regular season at the New England Patriots on Sept. 10 at Gillette Stadium.
This is considered one of the best rosters in football, headlined by quarterback Jalen Hurts, receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and standouts at cornerback and along the offensive and defensive lines. The biggest questions are at safety and linebacker, with all four starters from last year exiting in free agency.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Eagles:
QUARTERBACK (3): Jalen Hurts, Marcus Mariota, Tanner McKee
McKee has outperformed expectations, even generating some external debate about whether he should be the No. 2 QB ahead of Mariota. That's premature, but the Stanford product has earned himself a roster spot.
RUNNING BACK (4): D'Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, Rashaad Penny, Boston Scott
This has running-back-by-committee written all over it. All four backs have rotated in with the first team offense this summer, with Swift being deployed often as a receiver and Penny complementing that with a north-south running style. The coaches like Trey Sermon as well, but he may end up on the practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus, Britain Covey
This group is led by one of the best receiver tandems in football in Brown and Smith, with corner Darius Slay predicting it won't be long before we're calling Smith the best receiver in the game. Watkins is the front-runner for the No. 3 spot, though newcomer Zaccheaus made some splash plays while Watkins was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
TIGHT END (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Jack Stoll
Goedert's strong camp suggests he could be in for a career year. Another intriguing tight end on the roster is the 6-foot-7, 249-pound Tyree Jackson, though Calcaterra and Stoll are the more consistent options.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens, Lane Johnson, Tyler Steen, Jack Driscoll, Sua Opeta, Josh Sills, Fred Johnson
Jurgens, the second-year player out of Nebraska, looks to have secured the starting right guard spot vacated by Isaac Seumalo, who is now with the Steelers. Steen, the rookie out of Alabama, has been cross-training at guard and tackle and will likely be one of the top depth pieces for this Eagles O-line.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Fletcher Cox, Milton Williams, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu
All eyes will be on Carter, the first-round selection out of Georgia. He has had moments of dominance this preseason, offering hope that he can help make up for the departure of Javon Hargrave in free agency. Davis has been working steadily with the first-team defense alongside Cox and will also be counted on to pick up the slack.
LINEBACKER (7): Haason Reddick, Nolan Smith, Patrick Johnson, Nakobe Dean, Zach Cunningham, Christian Elliss, Kyron Johnson
The Eagles have been searching for the right partner for Dean all summer and seem to have landed on Cunningham. The former Tennessee Titan and Houston Texan has risen up the depth chart since being signed to a one-year deal in early August. Nicholas Morrow is also in the mix for a roster spot.
CORNERBACK (6): Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Kelee Ringo, Mario Goodrich, Avonte Maddox, Josh Jobe
Corner depth took a hit when Zech McPhearson was lost to a torn Achilles earlier this month. His injury opened the door for guys like Goodrich and Josiah Scott to make the roster as a backup slot corner.
SAFETY (4): Terrell Edmunds, Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, K'Von Wallace
Blankenship has been the constant, with Brown, Edmunds, Wallace and Justin Evans all rotating in alongside him. Brown, the rookie out of Illinois, appears to have the highest upside, and could get the starting nod before long.
SPECIALISTS (3): Jake Elliott, Arryn Siposs, Rick Lovato
Rookie Ty Zentner was competing with Siposs for the punting job for most of the summer before being released recently. Philadelphia could still look to the outside for help if it's not sold on Siposs being the guy.