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Eagles players who need strong preseasons to protect their roster spot
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- Eagles players who need strong preseasons to protect their roster spot
After months of waiting and anticipation, we're 19 days from Eagles rookies and veterans reporting to the Jefferson Health Training Complex. For several key veterans, training camp practices matter, but preseason games can still change everything.
That is especially true for a team like the Philadelphia Eagles . The roster is deep, the starting lineup is largely settled, and several position groups feature enough competition to make the final 53-man decisions difficult. For some players, strong practice habits may not be enough. They need live game reps. They need preseason production. They need evidence that they can be trusted when the regular season arrives.
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That does not mean every player on this list is in immediate danger of being cut. Some are battling for specific roles. Others are trying to hold off younger competition, prove versatility, or protect a roster spot in a crowded room. The common thread is simple. A quiet preseason could make their situation more complicated.
Here are Eagles players who need a strong preseason to protect their roster spots.
Dameon Pierce
Dameon Pierce enters the preseason needing to prove he can give the Eagles something different in the backfield.
Saquon Barkley is the centerpiece. Tank Bigsby has already generated intrigue as a physical complementary runner. That leaves Pierce in a position where he has to show clear value whenever he touches the football.
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His path to the roster should be built around toughness, contact balance, short-yardage ability, and special teams. The Eagles do not need Pierce to be a featured back. They need him to prove he can handle a physical role if injuries strike or if the offense needs another downhill option late in games. Preseason carries will matter. If Pierce runs decisively, protects the football, and contributes in pass protection or the kicking game, he can strengthen his roster case. If he blends in, the numbers at running back could become uncomfortable.
Grant Calcaterra
Grant Calcaterra has experience in Philadelphia's offense, but the tight end room is crowded enough that he still needs a productive preseason.
Dallas Goedert is the clear leader. After him, the Eagles have several options with different profiles, including Johnny Mundt , Stone Smartt , Cameron Latu , E.J. Jenkins, Eli Stowers , and Dae'Quan Wright. Calcaterra's advantage is familiarity, but familiarity alone does not guarantee a spot.
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He needs to remind the staff why he can be trusted.
Calcaterra's preseason should be about reliable hands, clean assignments, improved blocking, and special teams value. Backup tight ends must handle multiple responsibilities without becoming liabilities. If he shows he can function as a dependable No. 2 or No. 3 option, his roster case becomes much stronger.
If he is quiet while younger players flash, the competition behind Goedert could become more complicated.
Fred Johnson
Fred Johnson's value begins with veteran offensive line depth. That is useful, but it still has to be validated.
The Eagles' offensive line has long been one of the organization's defining strengths, and they typically prioritize development up front. Johnson's experience as the primary swing tackle over the past few seasons gives him a real chance to stick, especially because reliable tackle depth is difficult to find once the regular season begins. Still, younger linemen will push for roster spots, and preseason reps can quickly alter the conversation.
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Johnson needs to show he can survive against speed, anchor against power, and handle multiple assignments if needed. The Eagles will want to know whether he can step into a game without the offense collapsing.
A strong preseason would reinforce his value as insurance. A shaky one could make Philadelphia more willing to lean younger or search outside the building.
Marcus Epps
Marcus Epps may have a clear opportunity at safety, but he still needs to make the most of it.
Reed Blankenship 's departure left the Eagles with one of their few true position questions. Andrew Mukuba is entering his second season. Cooper DeJean 's versatility gives Vic Fangio another option in certain packages. Several defensive backs could also be tested in safety roles. Epps has experience, including familiarity with Philadelphia, but he has to prove he can still stabilize the back end.
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His preseason will be judged on communication, tackling, angles, coverage discipline, and whether he limits explosive plays. Safeties who make mistakes in August can quickly lose trust, especially in a defense built around structure and disguise.
Epps does not need a highlight-filled preseason. He needs a steady one. If he provides that, he could protect a meaningful role. If he struggles, the Eagles may keep looking for another answer.
Kelee Ringo
Kelee Ringo may be one of the most fascinating players on the roster bubble because his talent is obvious, but the cornerback room is crowded.
The Eagles have Quinyon Mitchell , Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen positioned as major pieces. Jakorian Bennett , Jonathan Jones , Mac McWilliams , Michael Carter II , Shaun Wade , Ambry Thomas , Tay Gowan and others are part of a deep competition. That creates real pressure for Ringo to show where he fits.
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Ringo has size, athleticism, and developmental upside. Those traits still matter, but the Eagles need consistency. They need him to tackle, avoid penalties, handle deep coverage assignments, and continue to excel and contribute on special teams.
A strong preseason could solidify his place as a valuable depth corner with upside. A quiet or uneven one could make the numbers game much more dangerous.
Tanner McKee
Tanner McKee's situation is different from some of the others on this list.
He may not be fighting simply to make the roster, but he does need a strong preseason to protect his standing in the quarterback room. Jalen Hurts is the starter. Andy Dalton brings veteran experience. Cole Payton gives the Eagles a young developmental option. That means every preseason snap McKee takes will be evaluated closely.
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McKee has shown enough ability to remain interesting, but backup quarterback jobs are about trust. He has to show command of the offense, clean decision-making, timing, accuracy, and the ability to avoid negative plays.
Preseason games are especially important for quarterbacks because they offer the closest thing to real evaluation before the regular season. If McKee plays well, he strengthens his case as a long-term backup or tradeable asset. If he struggles, Philadelphia's quarterback math could become more complicated.
Darius Cooper
Darius Cooper enters the preseason in one of the toughest position groups on the roster.
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The wide receiver room has been reshaped around DeVonta Smith , Hollywood Brown , Dontayvion Wicks , Elijah Moore and Makai Lemon. Johnny Wilson , Quez Watkins , Britain Covey , Samori Toure , Danny Gray , and Erik Ezukanma are also battling for roster or practice squad consideration.
That means Cooper needs to stand out.
At 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, he brings a sturdy frame and developmental value, but depth receivers must win on more than projection. Cooper needs to catch the ball consistently, block, contribute on special teams, and make plays during preseason action.
His best path may begin with forcing his way onto the practice squad conversation, but a strong preseason can change expectations. If Cooper makes plays when targeted, the Eagles will have a harder time moving on.
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Ty Robinson
Ty Robinson enters the preseason trying to carve out space in a deep defensive line room.
That will not be easy.
The Eagles have invested heavily up front, and the interior rotation already features proven or ascending options. Jalen Carter , Jordan Davis , Moro Ojomo , and Byron Young give Philadelphia a strong foundation. Robinson has to prove he belongs in the next layer of that conversation.
For defensive linemen, preseason games can be revealing. Coaches want to see pad level, power, hand usage, gap discipline, pursuit effort, and whether a player can hold up against NFL blockers. Robinson needs to show he can be more than a camp body.
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If he flashes disruption and physicality, he can make himself difficult to cut. If he disappears, the depth chart may simply be too crowded.
The bottom line
The Eagles' roster is strong enough that several talented players will face pressure before final cuts.
Pierce needs to define his value in the running back room. Calcaterra has to protect his place behind Goedert. Johnson must prove veteran offensive line depth is worth keeping. Epps needs to stabilize the safety picture. Ringo has to survive a crowded cornerback competition. McKee must reinforce his standing at quarterback. Cooper needs to stand out in a loaded receiver room. Robinson has to flash enough physicality to remain in the defensive line conversation.
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That is what preseason football is for.
The stars may not play much, and the final scores will not matter. The evaluations will. For these Eagles, August could determine whether they enter Week 1 with secure roles, uncertain futures, or a spot outside the initial 53-man roster.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles players who need strong preseasons to protect their roster spot
