Earlier in the offseason, we did a post-free agency edition of what the Eagles depth chart might look like as well as a post-draft edition. Then as training camp got underway we also drew up a pre-training camp edition. Now that the Eagles officially announced their initial 53-man roster, they have their focus on their Week 1 opponent -- the Washington Football Team (it's still hilarious to think that's their name for this season).
Here is how I project the depth chart for the start of the 2020 season:
Some quick takeaways and thoughts on the depth chart:
• Right now if Carson Wentz were to miss time, Nate Sudfeld would be the next man up. Still, that doesn't change the fact that Jalen Hurts is expected to have a role in the offense. He might get spotted a few snaps each game to throw the opponent off guard.
• There's no way the Eagles only keep two tight ends for Week 1 (especially after last year's debacle in Atlanta). I highly suspect they'll bring back UDFA Noah Togiai if they don't find a better tight end on the free agent market.
• Alshon Jeffery is off the PUP list, but he's still expected to miss the first few weeks of the season. JJAW will be the first man up to get Jeffery's snaps, but if he fails to perform I think Doug Pederson will have a quick trigger to get him off the field now that the team has depth in Jalen Reagor, John Hightower and Quez Watkins.
• It's going to be nerve-wracking to trust the left tackle position to Matt Pryor. Hopefully Jason Peters ends his demand of a raise and volunteers to go to left tackle (or the Eagles find a way to fork up more money to make Peters happy to go back to his natural position).
• I have a gut feeling the Eagles defensive line (if they remain healthy) will have its best-ever production of the Jim Schwartz era. Having the three-headed rotation of Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson and Javon Hargrave will be big for the team as the season wears on.
• The linebacker group on paper looks shaky, but at the same time has some potential to grow into a reliable group. I'm very interested to see how raw Davion Taylor's skills are.
• The safeties this season will be boom or bust. McLeod will have to stay healthy, Mills will have to prove he belongs as a safety, and K'Von Wallace will need to show his potential and develop into a possible starting safety of the future.
