A Look At The Final Roster Battles

Running Back

Candidates: Chris Polk, Matthew Tucker, Henry Josey, Kenjon Barner

I think the Eagles are going to keep four running backs. LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles are obvious locks, but the two positions behind them are up for grabs.

Chris Polk entered camp with a leg up on everyone else, but a hamstring tear has kept him out of action so far. In his absence, guys like Matthew Tucker and Henry Josey have taken advantage of the extra playing time afforded to them. Even if Polk plays on Thursday, I don’t think he can do enough to close the gap between himself and the other runners. The fact is that even though Polk is a very productive player when healthy, he’s a guy that has been battling the injury bug throughout his career.

Tucker seems to have the inside track on the third-string job. He’s developed very nicely since joining the team in Training Camp last summer, and he’s a guy that has more experience with the system. He runs hard, and has shown that he can be a capable goalline, short-yardage back.

The fourth spot is going to come down to either Josey or Barner.

If its a fair fight, Josey has got to be the guy that sticks. He’s shown tremendous explosiveness as both a runner and a receiver, and also seems to have good vision and patience when moving with the ball. Anytime he’s had his number called during this preseason, he’s produced.

If Barner makes it, its because of the Oregon connection. He looked good in a few of the plays the Eagles ran for him the other night, but I don’t think he has the body of work to justify staying over Josey.

Wide Receiver

Candidates: Arrelious Benn, Jeff Maehl, Damaris Johnson, Ifeanyi Momah

I think the Eagles are going to carry six receivers this year. Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff, and Brad Smith seem like locks to make it, leaving one position left.

I think Arrelious Benn has to be the guy that gets the nod here. Benn has shown an ability to contribute on special teams, and still has some good raw talent to work with as a receiver.

The only thing Jeff Maehl has ever had going for him is the Oregon connection. He’s a fringe guy with nothing spectacular or unique in his game.

Damaris Johnson is the guy most likely to give Benn a run for his money. Johnson has always had some explosive talent, and he’s had some success as a return man in the past. However, between Josh Huff and Darren Sproles, the Eagles aren’t in dire need of an additional return specialist. Johnson has also had a habit in his career of making some pretty careless mental mistakes that have led to turnovers, which could ultimately be his undoing.

Momah is a tall guy with speed who sounds great in theory, but just doesn’t put it all together on the field. He’s progressed from where he was a year ago, but he didn’t do anything special in his time running with the first team during the preseason.

Defensive Line

Candidates: Brandon Bair, Taylor Hart, Damion Square

Cedric Thornton, Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Vinny Curry, and Beau Allen look like locks to make it at this point.

Brandon Bair has quietly had a very good preseason, and deserves some roster consideration. However, I don’t think he makes out over Oregon product Taylor Hart, a guy that Kelly actually wanted to take as high as the third round of this year’s draft.

Damion Square hasn’t been impressive, and is likely to lose his job to Beau Allen.

Linebacker 

Candidates: Casey Matthews, Emmanuel Acho, Bryan Braman, Najee Goode, Travis Long

Its finally time to say good-bye to Casey Matthews! There’s absolutely no justification for him to be on the roster for another year.

Najee Goode and Bryan Braman are quality special teams guys, and I think they stick around for that purpose. Acho is a guy they like enough to bring in to camp, but not a guy they like enough to make a roster spot for, regardless of how he plays.

Travis Long has had some nice moments two last two years in the preseason, but ultimately he loses his roster spot to Brandon Graham.

Cornerback

Candidates: Jaylen Watkins, Roc Carmichael, Curtis Marsh

Not really much of a competition here. Watkins is a talented guy with by far the highest ceiling of the three, and he’ll be the fifth corner this year.

Its unlikely the Eagles keep six corners, but if they did, I’d favor Carmichael over Marsh any day.

Safeties

Candidates: Ed Reynolds, Chris Maragos

Will the Eagles keep more than four safeties?

If they don’t, Reynolds is a guy destined for the practice squad.

Maragos has a leg up on him either way for special teams.