This article is being written on June 14th, 2022. OTAs have just wrapped up and we are left with radio silence before training camp picks up again in late July. Currently there are around 100 players on the Eagles roster, and that number needs to shrink down to 53 before the season begins in a few short months. While it is near impossible to predict without a proper training camp and preseason with accurate reporting, this article will attempt to sift out players who will and will not make the team. These predictions will be made using nothing but limited background knowledge and general vibe checks/gut feelings. As a preface, sure fire starters and seeming camp bodies will not be mentioned; only those truly on the fringes.
Carson Strong, QB: A 2022 Philadelphia Eagle
As in the photo above, Carson Strong will be nothing but a background piece in 2022, but still a rostered background piece. The Eagles have rolled with 3 QBs since the genesis of man, and I do not see that changing here. He currently is competing with Reid Sinnett for that QB3 slot, and I expect both young men to get plenty of reps in preseason action. At the end of the day, Strong’s knowledge, howitzer arm and upside give him the edge over the unproven Sinnett at this point in time. The injury concerns were enough to take Strong off of many draft boards, but the Eagles will not have to worry about that considering he will be a healthy scratch/emergency QB every week.
JJ Arcega-Whiteside, TE: A Tight End Elsewhere
Let’s face it, JJ Arcega-Whiteside’s move to tight end was a desperation move to save his career. The former second round pick has struggled to convert his dazzling contested catch ability at Stanford to NFL play. In fact, most catches have seemed difficult to him. The Eagles last year chose him over Travis Fulgham to make the team as a WR5 with upside. He provided value as a run blocker and virtually nothing more. With 290 receiving yards and 1 TD in 3 years, there is no reason to believe the 6’2″ 225 pound JJAW can find any greater production in a crowded TE room if he couldn’t as a wideout. His run blocking will not be as effective against bigger tight ends, and guys like Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll and other later mentioned TEs have just been doing this longer than he has. The Eagles will finally part ways with one of their more embarrassing draft picks over the past 5 years.
Britain Covey, WR/KR/PR: A 2022 Philadelphia Eagle
Covey has been quite the pleasant surprise as a UDFA, already garnering the praise from stud TE Dallas Goedert as an under the radar guy:
Covey at only 5’8″ lacks prototypical size to be noticed in the NFL, but at Utah he flashed one coveted skill: return ability. The Eagles these past few years have had underwhelming special teams, with a specific lack of explosion from returners. The Eagles have one punt or kickoff return TD in the past 5 years, and ranked 8th fewest in kickoff return yards this past season. Part of the issue is the eagles haven’t had an elite return specialist since Josh Huff and Darren Sproles (pre-ACL tears). Guys like John Hightower, Jason Huntley, Quez Watkins, Greg Ward and Jalen Reagor on paper should have worked out due to their tremendous speed, but the results shown have proven it takes more than just athleticism. Covey had 787 return yards in 2021 with 3 return TDs, including a 97 yard screamer vs. Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. He also has received a heaping ton of recognition and praise from coaches and players, who seem to like what he brings to the table even as a member of the offensive lineup.
The Eagles already have proven their interest in this type of talent, with rumors that they were coveting Andre Roberts earlier in the offseason. Covey right now is flying under the radar; expect him to be one of the Eagles worst kept secrets come September.
Devon Allen, WR: This Hurdle Is Too High
All signs point to Devon Allen dazzling this preseason. As an Olympic runner, his signing to the Eagles was quite the intriguing one. Allen has not played football since 2016 when he played for the University of Oregon, but the upside is present with his ultra rare athleticism. Just a few days ago, he blew up Twitter by running the third fastest 110m hurdles ever:
It seems that Allen has already acclimated himself to the Eagles locker room. He already is challenging Darius Slay to foot races, and throwing peace signs as he high steps into the endzone at practice. So why would Devon Allen not make it? At 27 years old, Devon Allen already has lived a lot of life. He is a current volunteer assistant coach at the Naval Academy track and field team and now an all time great hurdler. He has been out of football for a little while, and seems to be more devoted to his running career now. At the end of the day, it really will come down to who wants it the most. While it seems Allen is enjoying his time in Philly, football may just not be a part of his long term goals. The birds would be better off giving his spot to someone else.
Jalen Reagor, WR: A 2022 Philadelphia Eagle
Is one more chance for Reagor too many more? After two wildly disastrous seasons plagued by injury, drops, grief and overall poor production, the former first round pick has had to endure the ire of life and Philly fans alike. Reagor was supposed to breakout as a solid WR2 behind Devonta Smith this previous season. How did that turn out? 2 TDs and just under 300 receiving yards. Fans are not shy in their distrust of him. The front office adding AJ Brown and Zach Pascal mixed with the emergence of 6th round pick Quez Watkins makes it hard to imagine Reagor as anything more than a WR5 at this point. Regardless, the Eagles will hold onto him. Sometimes wide receivers are just late bloomers, and it would be poor form to count out the potential of Reagor. It’s not like he was paid $100 million and laid an egg like he has; he is still on his rookie deal. Despite all the frustration, there is still a small window of time for Reagor to prove he can still contribute to this team.
Greg Ward, WR: A Hard Goodbye
When Nick Sirianni was in Indianapolis, he gave wide receiver Zach Pascal a career by using him as a red zone threat. When he came to Philly he had similar plans for the converted QB Greg Ward. Ward before Sirianni was a fan favorite, who came off the practice squad in 2019 after years of being trapped there and emerged as a WR1 for a battered Eagles receiving corps that year. After catching a game winning TD in Washington over Josh Norman in 2019 to keep the birds playoff hopes alive, the Eagles were begging for more. In 2020 the team was horrible, but Ward remained probably the most consistent Eagles W. Fans will remember that he caught Jalen Hurts’ first career TD pass in Green Bay on 4th and 18. In 2021, his production and snap count fell off hard. 3 TDs on only 7 catches for 95 yards show that he has been diminished to a role player in Sirianni’s offense. He still would have had value and made the team had the Eagles not brought in the previously mentioned Pascal from the Colts and paid him more money. It is clear Ward has the respect in Philly, but the Eagles simply cannot justify stringing him along on one year deals any more.
Grant Calcaterra, TE: A 2022 Philadelphia Eagle
The Grant Calcaterra pick makes more and more sense as the offseason meanders on. Calcaterra was a 6th round pick this year and has a connection with Jalen Hurts from their days together at Oklahoma. The Eagles ran plenty of 3 tight end sets last year when Tyree Jackson became available, and that formation has become a staple of the Sirianni-Steichen offense. Grant has a history of concussions, but facing off against JJAW and 30-year-old Richard Rodgers for the TE3 spot makes his path to the roster easier. An injury to Tyree Jackson leaves a hole that Calcaterra can fill seamlessly until Jackson gets healthy, when the real competition is set to begin. Until then, it has to be the Eagles priority to get Calcaterra a better looking jersey number than 47.
Patrick Johnson, OLB: Future USFL legend
Patrick Johnson should have started packing his bags as soon as the Eagles selected Kyron Johnson. The Kansas star is a younger and faster version of Patrick. Nothing against 48, who was a noteworthy special teamer but it seems he doesn’t fit with where this team is headed defensively and will not make the cut. He will be an enticing practice squad pick up.
K’Von Wallace, S: A 2022 Philadelphia Eagle
While the initial Brian Dawkins comparisons in hindsight are laughable at best, Wallace should get one more year. Wallace has been plagued by injuries his whole career. Safety depth is at a minimum, and I think Wallace’s versatility gives him one of the last roster spots. Wallace can come in in dime packages as an extra body and could rack up some significant playing time this year if his health hold up.
Jimmy Moreland and Josiah Scott, CBs: Better Luck Next Time
I put these two together because I believe they can be great additions to the practice squad. Realistically, Scott is slot only while Moreland’s only career pick was against 2020 Carson Wentz. Howie Roseman loves both of these guys, but the trades for Tay Gowan, Mac McCain and Kary Vincent last year leads many to believe the Eagles wish to rely on their youth for depth. Moreland and Scott will be odd men out unfortunately.
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Jish Sokolsky is a featured writer at The Birds Blitz. For more from Jish, check out his archive and read through our Eagles articles for the latest news about the Birds.
Jish is an excellent writer! Keep it up!