Somewhere, in their respective parts of this great country, there are the members of the Philadelphia Eagles' offseason roster. Some are enjoying some family time. Others are vacationing. A.J. Brown enjoyed the opportunity to engage in some philanthropy while Cooper Dejean worked out with an NFL All-Pro and a former Steelers safety.
While life has its ups and downs with all of us, we'd assume the offseason has been enjoyable and stress-free for both Coop and Number 11. They're coming off their first Super Bowl win. Both scored in the game, DeJean on the first pick-six by an Eagle ever in football's biggest game.
They call football a 'business' and a 'what have you done for me lately' league. These two are safe though. Regardless of what they're doing today, their agents have taken care of business. They don't have to worry about where they'll be working for a while.
That isn't the case for everyone on the roster. For the guys on the back half of the depth chart, the ground is seemingly always shaky. The seat they are sitting in is always warm. Every signing decreases their chances of making the roster. Every selection in the coming NFL Draft will do the same.
Patrick Johnson, EDGE/special teams
Patrick Johnson's issue has never been one of talent. It's typically been a numbers game as Philly has always had better guys at his position, but after a brief stay with the rival New York Giants, it would appear he's in a better position to make the team now, right?
One could argue the door was cracked open a little further thanks to Josh Sweat's departure. Brandon Graham also retired, so it's smooth sailing from here, correct?
Not so fast! Philly signed Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche to one-year deals.
The consensus is Philly will, more than likely, add another edge rusher to their nest in the coming NFL Draft. They may do so relatively early. That would muddy the waters even further and make Johnson's potential ceiling a spot on the Eagles' 2025-26 practice squad.
Bryce Huff, EDGE
While we haven't given up on hope (or on Bryce Huff) yet, we won't lie. Our confidence is shaky. He was a healthy scratch in Super Bowl 59, and the Birds are adding bodies, seemingly in front of him.
Howie Roseman isn't afraid to admit to wrong choices, cut bait, and move on. Well... He isn't most of the time (Ryan Kerrigan and Robert Quinn). Huff seems to be falling out of favor, and as Philly adds more talent, it becomes easier to imagine scenarios where Bryce isn't on the 53-man roster at the beginning of the regular season.
Terrace Marshall Jr., wide receiver
In the business world, there's a phrase. Last in, and first out... In other words, new talent in a competitive workplace has a high chance at leaving in the reverse order of their arrival.
Philly has a lot of bodies at wide receiver, and for the most part, the depth chart might be set except for a few pieces. As mentioned, A.J. Brown's job is safe. So is DeVonta Smith's. Jahan Dotson is seemingly the third man on the depth chart. It seems unlikely he'll be in Philly past this season, but he's also someone worth watching as a breakout candidate.
Philly drafted Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith in the 2024 NFL Draft. That doesn't guarantee them roster spots, but they seemingly are in better standing than Terrace Marshall is.
Tristin McCollum, safety
We'll defend Tristin McCollum here. We know most of you can't get past seeing him and Sydney Brown get burned in the Super Bowl by Xavier Worthy, but we'll defend him. It was a garbage time touchdown, and for the most part, he's been better than that when we've seen him forced into action.
Philly's starters, if nothing changed between now and Week 1, would be Brown and Reed Blankenship. Lewis Cine is also in the mix along with McCollum. Andre Sam is also on the roster, but we've seen Howie add DBs well after the NFL Draft. It's hard to believe the Eagles are done adding to the backend of their defense.
Every running back not named Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, and A.J. Dillon
Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, and A.J. Dillon are all seemingly assured of jobs on the 2025-26 roster. Now, the question is whether or not the Birds want to keep four tailbacks on the regular-season depth chart.
If we see Avery Williams, Tyrion Davis-Price, or Lew Nichols register a single carry in a game that counts, someone is hurt or something has gone off the rails. If Philly adds a running back in the draft (or shortly afterward), that won't affect the job status of the top three guys at the position, but it could certainly write the tale of the guys on the back-half of the depth chart.
