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2023 Philadelphia Eagles Preview
Philadelphia is coming off impressive regular season and playoff performances, but ultimately came up short in the big game in 2022. Super Bowl or bust yet again for Nick Sirianni's squad. The Eagles are net down from last season in white players, but up in starters.
Total White players on 53-man roster: 12
Total White starters: 6
Starters listed in bold.
OFFENSE
QB: Tanner McKee
TE: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra
C: Jason Kelce
G: Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens
T: Lane Johnson, Jack Driscoll
DEFENSE
S: Reed Blankenship
SPECIALISTS
K: Jake Elliot
P: ??????
LS: Rick Lovato
PRACTICE SQUAD
TE: Brady Russell
WR: Britain Covey, Devon Allen
OL: Julian Good-Jones, Brett Toth
LB: Ben Van Sumeren
P: Arryn Siposs
Beginning on the offensive side, the QB room has turned over both backups from last year. Tanner McKee was Philadelphia's sixth round pick out of Stanford in the most recent draft, and impressed in the preseason with a calm, professional manner and quick decision making. He was positively a revelation compared to the depressingly uninspired and terrible performance of Marcus Mariota in the same games. McKee is an interesting prospect, and look for him to take on the backup role in the future.
Dallas Goedert battled injuries in 2022, but performed like the star that he is when he was on the field: in 12 games he averaged nearly 13 yards per reception and finished the season with 702 yards receiving, though was not consistently targeted in the red zone. Goedert is a featured target for Jalen Hurts, even in an offense as rich in quality receivers as Philadelphia's. Former Nebraska Cornhusker and UDFA Jack Stoll returns as a backup at TE, used often and effectively as an extra blocker. Grant Calcaterra has shown some athletic and receiving ability, and contributes on special teams.
Few offensive linemen in recent memory have maintained a high level of play for as long as Jason Kelce has. Entering his 13th season in the NFL, the six-time Pro-Bowler anchors a perennially strong Philadelphia line. He remains nearly as strong and athletic as he was in his early days. Sliding over from his natural center position to guard is Cam Jurgens. Drafted to be Kelce's successor, Jurgens so impressed the Eagles that they are trusting him to start at a new position after Kelce re-signed for another year. Landon Dickerson looks to follow up an excellent and mercifully healthy 2022 with another strong season. Nearly matching Kelce for longevity is RT Lane Johnson, entering his 11th season. A veteran of four Pro Bowls himself, the Texas native has been a mainstay for Philadelphia. Jack Driscoll is capable of playing both guard and tackle, though is just listed as Johnson's backup. If it's possible for an offensive line to be "star-studded", this is the one.
The defensive portion is as brief as it ever is for any Eagles squad this side of Chip Kelly. Pressed into starting duty due to injury last season, rookie undrafted free agent and Middle Tennessee State's own Reed Blankenship absolutely ran with the opportunity. A tremendous interception of Aaron Rodgers in his debut signaled that Blankenship is a playmaker to watch for and future starter. He went into the offseason, and enters 2023, as the unquestioned starter at safety - a tremendous and well-earned compliment. Hopefully he'll continue to shine with more playing time. Reed is again the sole white defensive player on the 53-man roster.
The new practice squad elevation rules from last year have led to some peculiar roster constructions and outcomes; case-in-point, Philadelphia's practice squad seemingly contains their presumptive opening day punter and punt returner. Said punt returner, WR Britain Covey, did not crack the day-one roster despite being one of the best return men in the NFL on a rate basis in the latter part of the season. He'll likely be elevated three times then added to the roster, like last season. WR Devon Allen again showed off his Olympic-level speed in the preseason, and could find himself on the roster to help on special teams. LB Ben Van Sumeren flashed top of the line athleticism as well, but looked raw and could use a year on the PS. Russell, Good-Jones, and First Lieutenant Brett Toth are all depth pieces. Whether or not Arryn Siposs keeps his job from last year likely hinges on if a better punter is available on waivers; such is the life of a specialist in the NFL.
Philadelphia is coming off impressive regular season and playoff performances, but ultimately came up short in the big game in 2022. Super Bowl or bust yet again for Nick Sirianni's squad. The Eagles are net down from last season in white players, but up in starters.
Total White players on 53-man roster: 12
Total White starters: 6
Starters listed in bold.
OFFENSE
QB: Tanner McKee
TE: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra
C: Jason Kelce
G: Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens
T: Lane Johnson, Jack Driscoll
DEFENSE
S: Reed Blankenship
SPECIALISTS
K: Jake Elliot
P: ??????
LS: Rick Lovato
PRACTICE SQUAD
TE: Brady Russell
WR: Britain Covey, Devon Allen
OL: Julian Good-Jones, Brett Toth
LB: Ben Van Sumeren
P: Arryn Siposs
Beginning on the offensive side, the QB room has turned over both backups from last year. Tanner McKee was Philadelphia's sixth round pick out of Stanford in the most recent draft, and impressed in the preseason with a calm, professional manner and quick decision making. He was positively a revelation compared to the depressingly uninspired and terrible performance of Marcus Mariota in the same games. McKee is an interesting prospect, and look for him to take on the backup role in the future.
Dallas Goedert battled injuries in 2022, but performed like the star that he is when he was on the field: in 12 games he averaged nearly 13 yards per reception and finished the season with 702 yards receiving, though was not consistently targeted in the red zone. Goedert is a featured target for Jalen Hurts, even in an offense as rich in quality receivers as Philadelphia's. Former Nebraska Cornhusker and UDFA Jack Stoll returns as a backup at TE, used often and effectively as an extra blocker. Grant Calcaterra has shown some athletic and receiving ability, and contributes on special teams.
Few offensive linemen in recent memory have maintained a high level of play for as long as Jason Kelce has. Entering his 13th season in the NFL, the six-time Pro-Bowler anchors a perennially strong Philadelphia line. He remains nearly as strong and athletic as he was in his early days. Sliding over from his natural center position to guard is Cam Jurgens. Drafted to be Kelce's successor, Jurgens so impressed the Eagles that they are trusting him to start at a new position after Kelce re-signed for another year. Landon Dickerson looks to follow up an excellent and mercifully healthy 2022 with another strong season. Nearly matching Kelce for longevity is RT Lane Johnson, entering his 11th season. A veteran of four Pro Bowls himself, the Texas native has been a mainstay for Philadelphia. Jack Driscoll is capable of playing both guard and tackle, though is just listed as Johnson's backup. If it's possible for an offensive line to be "star-studded", this is the one.
The defensive portion is as brief as it ever is for any Eagles squad this side of Chip Kelly. Pressed into starting duty due to injury last season, rookie undrafted free agent and Middle Tennessee State's own Reed Blankenship absolutely ran with the opportunity. A tremendous interception of Aaron Rodgers in his debut signaled that Blankenship is a playmaker to watch for and future starter. He went into the offseason, and enters 2023, as the unquestioned starter at safety - a tremendous and well-earned compliment. Hopefully he'll continue to shine with more playing time. Reed is again the sole white defensive player on the 53-man roster.
The new practice squad elevation rules from last year have led to some peculiar roster constructions and outcomes; case-in-point, Philadelphia's practice squad seemingly contains their presumptive opening day punter and punt returner. Said punt returner, WR Britain Covey, did not crack the day-one roster despite being one of the best return men in the NFL on a rate basis in the latter part of the season. He'll likely be elevated three times then added to the roster, like last season. WR Devon Allen again showed off his Olympic-level speed in the preseason, and could find himself on the roster to help on special teams. LB Ben Van Sumeren flashed top of the line athleticism as well, but looked raw and could use a year on the PS. Russell, Good-Jones, and First Lieutenant Brett Toth are all depth pieces. Whether or not Arryn Siposs keeps his job from last year likely hinges on if a better punter is available on waivers; such is the life of a specialist in the NFL.
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