Zangaro's Eagles 53-man roster projection

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Things have changed a lot from the last time I put out a 53-man roster.

Before training camp, Jordan Matthews and Allen Barbre were locks, Ronald Darby was in Buffalo and Corey Graham was on his couch.

But with the preseason over, here's my best guess at what the Eagles' 53-man roster will look like after the cutdown deadline at 4 p.m. on Saturday:

QBs (2): Carson Wentz, Nick Foles
The Foles injury is scary and it's certainly something to watch. But if the Eagles really think he's healthy enough to be ready for the season, he's the Eagles' backup quarterback and there's not enough value in keeping three. But if Foles isn't healthy, Matt McGloin might make the roster.

RBs (4): Darren Sproles, LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, Donnel Pumphrey
I left Corey Clement off the list, which is going to make a lot of people mad. The undrafted running back did everything he could have this preseason to make the roster. But he wasn't drafted in the fourth round like Donnel Pumphrey. And he wasn't the running back they traded up in the fourth round to get like Donnel Pumphrey. So it might be unfair, but I think Clement is the odd man out.

WRs (5): Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, Marcus Johnson
Bryce Treggs, Shelton Gibson and Greg Ward would all have a chance if the Eagles elect to keep six wideouts. But with five, these are the ones they'd probably go with. The first four are locks and Johnson has had an impressive training camp and preseason.

TEs (3): Zach Ertz, Trey Burton, Brent Celek
I thought long and hard about keeping Billy Brown on this roster but didn't do it. I think they'll stick with three and try to sneak Brown to the practice squad.

OL (10): Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Chance Warmack, Dillon Gordon, Stefen Wisniewski, Dallas Thomas
I have the Eagles keeping five starters and five backups. Among the backups, I think Big V and Wisniewski are locks. Then, Gordon made the team last year and has potential. Warmack has been an adventure but Jeff Stoutland loves him. The last one, Thomas, is a bit of a wildcard. But he has looked good in the preseason and offers a little bit of versatility.

DE (5): Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett, Chris Long, Steven Means
Alex McCalister falls just short of making the team after getting beat out by Means. The top four were really easy and then Means got a little contract extension on Wednesday night.

DT (5): Fletcher Cox, Tim Jernigan, Beau Allen, Destiny Vaeao, Elijah Qualls
Justin Hamilton was close to making the team but then Allen came off the NFI and took his roster spot back. Ultimately, Qualls hasn't had the same production as Hamilton this summer, but he has more potential and was a draft pick.

LB (5): Jordan Hicks, Nigel Bradham, Mychal Kendricks, Joe Walker, Don Cherry
You'll notice the omission of Nate Gerry, the safety from Nebraska who the Eagles have been turning into a linebacker. In recent days, Gerry hasn't practiced and has had a sleeve on his leg. We might be seeing an IR stash coming. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eagles be active on the waiver wire at this position.

CB (6): Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Patrick Robinson, C.J. Smith, Dexter McDougle
The last spot I struggled with because I just don't know that much about McDougle, who arrived on Sunday. But he was reportedly having a good camp with the Jets before the trade. I have him over Aaron Grymes, but I honestly wasn't sure what to do there.

S (5): Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Corey Graham, Chris Maragos, Jaylen Watkins
I have Watkins making this team based on his versatility. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that the Eagles have asked him to play safety, corner and nickel in camp. I'm going to take it as a good thing, though, and keep him.

Specialists (3) LS: Rick Lovato; P: Donnie Jones; K: Caleb Sturgis
The Eagles traded Jon Dorenbos and Lovato takes over. Jones and Sturgis take their spots.

Practice squad: Aaron Grymes, Shelton Gibson, Corey Clement, Darrell Green, Greg Ward, Billy Brown, Alex McCalister, Tyler Orlosky, Justin Hamilton, Steven Daniels

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