Football is nearly back in South Philly, as the Philadelphia Eagles are set to open training camp at the NovaCare Complex on July 22.
After an offseason marked by financial discipline and short-term signings, GM Howie Roseman has assembled a competitive 90-man roster — and several veterans will be fighting to keep their jobs thanks to the team’s impressive collection of young talent.
From key position battles in the secondary to a crowded skill position group, here are five Eagles veterans who could be on the roster bubble as training camp kicks off:
RB A.J. Dillon
The Eagles clearly coveted Dillon’s size in free agency, as his near 250-pound frame could add an element of thunder to the lightning of Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley. What Dillon has left in the tank is up in the air, though, as he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry during the 2023 season with the Packers and spent all of 2024 on injured reserve.
Dillon will have a ton to prove in camp, as Ben VanSumeren is expected to make the 53-man roster as a fullback. This could boil down to a numbers game, with Dillon a potential candidate to land on the practice squad.
TE Harrison Bryant
Philadelphia kept two tight ends on its initial 53-man roster last summer. Is it really poised to keep four in 2024?
That feels unlikely. With Dallas Goedert now back in the fold, Philly could choose run-blocking stalwart Kylen Granson over Bryant, while retaining 2024 training camp stud E.J. Jenkins on the practice squad.
G Kenyon Green
Cutting Green would be kind of brutal for GM Howie Roseman, who just acquired the former first-round pick in the trade that shipped C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston. Green reportedly isn’t even close to carving out a significant role for the Eagles in 2025, though, as he’s been working at left guard — the spot manned by Landon Dickerson — and not on the right side, which was vacated by Mekhi Becton.
Green could find himself battling it out with guys like Cameron Williams, Trevor Keegan and undrafted rookie Marcus Tate for a roster spot. His status as a former highly-touted prospect should work in his favor, but Philly shouldn’t be afraid to cut ties with Green if needed, as the CJGJ trade was more about cutting future salary than acquiring a project interior lineman.
CB Eli Ricks
The Eagles clearly felt comfortable with their cornerback depth this offseason, opting to add little to the group outside of aging veteran Adoree’ Jackson and fifth-round rookie Mac McWilliams. That should leave Ricks pegged for Philly’s final cornerback spot — if the team decides to keep six corners.
The numbers game here could largely come down to the safety position. Would the Eagles choose Ricks over an ascending player like Tristin McCollum? Philly initially kept 11 total defensive backs in 2024, and Ricks should once again find himself on the bubble despite entering his third training camp with the Eagles this summer.
S Lewis Cine
Cine is not only a former first-round draft pick, but he’s another Georgia Bulldogs product. That alone should give the 25-year-old a realistic shot at making Philly’s initial 53.
He’s entering what will arguably be the most competitive position group battle at Eagles’ camp, with Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown and rookie Andrew Mukuba projected as roster locks, and the returning McCollum likely on the right side of the cut line as well.
That could leave Cine battling it out with guys like Ricks and impressive undrafted rookie safety Andre’ Sam for the final one or two roster spots on defense. It’ll be tight, and Cine will likely have to prove he’s not only healthy, but can be a key contributor on special teams to make the cut.
For the record, Cine has played a total of 134 special teams snaps over his three pro seasons. He has a lot to prove in that regard.
MORE EAGLES NEWS:
