By: Steve Johnson
Here are our predictions for the final roster of the 2012-13 Philadelphia Eagles. Granted this is barring injuries and any veteran signings. This is simply just a post draft look at the Eagles roster.
*- Starters are in Bold
QB (3)- Michael Vick, Trent Edwards, Nick Foles
When the Eagles went off the clock to select Nick Foles in the 3rd round, Mike Kafka went on the clock for teams looking for a QB. I like Kafka, he's smart, and knows the system, but if Vick were to go down, Trent Edwards provides more of a chance to win a couple games. Backup QB was clearly an issue last year, they addressed it this offseason.
RB (3)- LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis, Bryce Brown
Dion Lewis didn't play bad last year, but he's nothing more than a 3rd down back you throw in every once in a while. Bryce Brown was the top recruit coming out of high school (above Trent Richardson) but after leaving 2 programs he fell off the map. In his pro day he ran a 4.37 40 (at 220 lbs), Eagles will give him a shot to make up for all his mistakes in his college career. He will compete with undrafted free agent Chris Polk from Washington. Polk had a huge workload at Washington, and is NFL ready, but doesn't have the upside of Brown.
FB (1)- Stanley Havili
Eagles chose not to resign Owen Schmitt. Havili was on the practice squad all of last year and provides some pass catching and running ability similar to Leonard Weaver. The Eagles don't know how to use a fullback correctly so he'll likely face a challenge from anyone from TEs to some linemen they found in the middle of no where.
WR (5) - DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Marvin McNutt, Riley Cooper
Marvin McNutt was somewhat of a steal in the 6th round for the Eagles. He's big like Riley Cooper but more accomplished and faster. They will compete for the 4th spot. Don't be surprised for a player like Damaris Johnson (undrafted free agent Kick Returner from Tulsa) impresses the coaches enough on special teams to give him a shot.
TE (2)- Brent Celek, Clay Harbor
The Eagles would have loved to grab a Tight End in the draft last weekend. They didn't, and they will have to deal with Clay Harbor as the backup. The Eagles never use 3 Tight Ends so adding another would be a waste of a roster spot they can use somewhere else.
OT (4)- Demetress Bell, Todd Herremans, King Dunlap, Dennis Kelly
Losing Jason Peters really hurt, but they went out and got the best LT available in free agency and he will have to do. Herremans might be the most versatile linemen in the NFL and he will start again at RT. Dunlap proved he can play when needed. They will give prospect Dennis Kelly a very long look. It's unlikely but Peters could go on the PUP list until week 8, after that they would have to put him on IR or use a roster spot on him. Either way 4 tackles are never suited up at the same time during games.
OG (4)- Evan Mathis, Danny Watkins, Julian Vandervelde, Brandon Washington
Evan Mathis returns after having one of the most productive seasons in the NFL last year. Expect a big year out of Danny Watkins. Vandervelde was a 5th round draft pick in 2011, he'll likely compete for the backup at both left and right guard. Washington was a top guard in the country in 2010, but switched to 2011 for his senior year, he struggled and Reid has said he will move him back to guard.
C (2)- Jason Kelce, Mike Gibson
Kelce was the steal of the draft last year when no one expected him to make the team, he stole the job and played well. Gibson was a draft choice a couple years ago. They didn't address the backup center position in the draft. He knows the system and another year in Howard Mudd's scheme will help him progress.
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