Here is a position-by-position look at the offense following the cutdown to 53 players.
Quarterback (3): Nick Foles, Nate Sudfeld, Carson Wentz
How often does a team have a franchise player, a Super Bowl MVP, and an up-and-coming talent in the same quarterback room? The Eagles have an outstanding situation when it comes to the most important position in the sport. Carson Wentz was arguably the league's best player, leading the Eagles to an 11-2 record, before suffering a season-ending knee injury last December. In just his second NFL season, Wentz set the franchise record with 33 passing touchdowns despite missing the final three regular-season games. He has ramped up his activity in practice in recent weeks, but it remains to be seen whether or not he'll start Thursday night against Atlanta.
Nick Foles was the most valuable offseason addition last year as he came off the bench following Wentz's injury to lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory. Foles is as good an insurance policy as there is in this league but he had a so-so preseason, completing 16 of 26 passes for 127 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns in two games. There's no question, however, that Foles will be ready to go if Wentz is unable to start. Nate Sudfeld was the primary preseason quarterback for the Eagles in the exhibition slate. He impressed in three preseason games, completing 43 of 74 passes for 524 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Running Back (4): Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, Darren Sproles
The Eagles have two Pro Bowl running backs in the fold with Jay Ajayi entering his first full season with the team and Darren Sproles back on a one-year deal. Ajayi, acquired from Miami at the trade deadline last year, became the first player in NFL history to record at least 400 rushing yards with two different teams in a season. He led the Eagles in the postseason with 184 rushing yards. Since 2016, when Ajayi entered the league, he is seventh in the league in yards on the ground. Sproles looked terrific on the practice field in Training Camp, returning from a broken forearm and torn ACL he suffered Week 3 last season. However, he was kept out of preseason games as a precaution. Sproles led the team in scrimmage yards and all-purpose yards just two years ago as he earned Pro Bowl honors for the third consecutive season.
Corey Clement went from rookie free agent to Super Bowl hero over the course of one season. Once considered a long shot to make the 53-man roster, Clement caught four passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in the championship game. He was also the player who received the direct snap that kicked off the iconic Philly Special. He was also integral on special teams as he finished second on the squad with 10 tackles. Clement is primed to make the big jump from Year 1 to Year 2. Wendell Smallwood did what he had to do in the preseason, earning the fourth running back spot with 75 yards on 22 carries in three games. He also had five receptions for 22 yards.
Offensive Line (10): Brandon Brooks, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Jason Peters, Matt Pryor, Isaac Seumalo, Halapoulivati Vaitai, Chance Warmack, Stefen Wisniewski
The entire Super Bowl-winning line returns and features the return of future Hall of Fame tackle Jason Peters, who missed the latter half of the year with an ACL injury. Peters was playing at an All-Pro level before his season ended prematurely. If Peters returns to his elite form, the Eagles will have the best tackle duo in the NFL. Lane Johnson capitalized on his talent and dominated on the right side from start to finish last season, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
Johnson was one of three members of the offensive line to earn either Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition last year. Brandon Brooks helped form a massive wall on the right side of the line at guard, emerging as a Pro Bowl player in his second season with the team. Jason Kelce is the quarterback of the offensive line, and his understanding of defenses is integral to the team's success. His athleticism to get to the second and third levels of the defense is unmatched in the game. He was rightly rewarded with All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
Stefen Wisniewski enters 2018 as the starter at left guard. He won the job early last season and solidified the line. Halapoulivaati Vaitai stepped in for Peters after the injury last season and held down the left tackle spot on the way to the Super Bowl. He returns as the top backup with quality starting experience if needed. Isaac Seumalo provides the versatility to play at center, guard, and tackle. He has six career starts at three different positions along the line and played all over during the preseason. Chance Warmack, a former top-10 pick, started three games at left guard and is a mauler on the inside.
The Eagles used two of their draft picks to infuse young talent into the line. Matt Pryor played with Vaitai at TCU. He brings guard and tackle experience to the table. He has spent significant time getting extra reps after practice with Brooks and has impressed in camp. Jordan Mailata was the story of the preseason, impressing as he learned the fundamentals of football. He played exceptionally well at left tackle during the preseason, his first football games ever. The former Australian rugby player is putting together skills on the field with his impressive measurables that can't be taught.
Wide Receiver (6): Nelson Agholor, DeAndre Carter, Shelton Gibson, Mack Hollins, Alshon Jeffery, Mike Wallace
Alshon Jeffery was one of the top free agent signings of the 2017 offseason as he tied for fourth in the league with nine touchdown receptions in the regular season. He saved his best performances for the playoffs with 219 yards and three touchdowns, both franchise records for a single postseason. He was rewarded with a new long-term deal during the season. His 6-3, 218-pound frame combined with his catch radius provides a friendly target for the quarterback. Jeffery was activated off the Physically Unable to Perform List on August 31 but may not play for multiple weeks as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on his rotator cuff. Nelson Agholor was moved to the slot and enjoyed a breakout year in 2017 with 62 catches for 768 yards and eight touchdowns, all career highs. Agholor's explosiveness gives the Eagles' coaching staff a unique element to utilize in the game plan.
The Eagles signed Mike Wallace in free agency to add even more speed on the outside. He has three 1,000-yard seasons on his résumé and twice has caught 10 touchdowns in a year. Mack Hollins is a promising second-year player after catching 16 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. He did not see much preseason action while sitting out with a lower-body injury but should be healthy for the opener. Several players chose Hollins as this year's breakout player. Hollins has the size (6-4, 221 pounds) and speed to challenge defensive backs. Shelton Gibson was a fifth-round pick last year and carved out a special teams role as a gunner last season. He stood out in the preseason with nine receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns. DeAndre Carter is a tremendous longshot story. He has been in camp with a number of teams and finally broke through.
Tight End (4): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Joshua Perkins, Richard Rodgers
Zach Ertz earned Pro Bowl honors last season for the first time, but he's been a model of consistency for the Eagles for the past three years. He's averaged 76 receptions and 831 yards per season over that span. The big difference? He had a career-high eight touchdowns last year, doubling his previous best of four. He's a big-bodied target with reliable hands who made two clutch catches in the Super Bowl, including the game-winning touchdown.
The Eagles used their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the 49th overall selection, on Dallas Goedert out of South Dakota State. He dazzled in Training Camp with his sure hands, especially in the red zone. In the preseason, he caught nine passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Richard Rodgers suffered a knee injury in New England and his status is uncertain going into the season. Production from Goedert becomes more vital if Rodgers is out. Joshua Perkins didn't play much in the preseason after suffering a head injury at New England. He adds some depth and insurance as a fourth option.
