The Philadelphia Eagles have five key starting positions to solidify ahead of the 2025 season, which include tight end, right guard, linebacker, cornerback, and safety.
While the team has numerous young players ready to take on larger roles, General Manager Howie Roseman emphasized at the NFL owners meetings that they must earn their opportunities.
“We need to introduce competition,” Roseman stated. “We believe in these players and their talents, and they’ll get a chance to prove themselves. Our evaluation will rely on what they do with this chance.”
Tight End
It is anticipated that Dallas Goedert will not be part of the 2025 roster, likely due to a trade or release post-June 1, when the financial fallout becomes less severe.
Grant Calcaterra, who started 14 games last season (13 in the regular season and one in the playoffs), is favored to take the TE1 role for 2025. Additionally, the Eagles have signed veterans Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson who will compete for significant playing time.
The 2025 draft boasts a strong class of tight ends, with top prospects as well as others likely available in the later rounds. Nevertheless, even if the Eagles draft a tight end early, Calcaterra has demonstrated enough skills as a receiver to remain a starter initially.
Likely starter: Grant Calcaterra, with a probability of around 90%.
Right Guard
The right guard position is perhaps the most unsettled. Tyler Steen has faced off for this position in the past two training camps, coming up short to Cam Jurgens in 2023 and Mekhi Becton in 2024. He will have another shot at the role in 2025.
Currently, his main competition is Kenyon Green, a former first-round pick who hasn’t performed well in his first three NFL seasons, acquired in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade.
There’s also second-year player Trevor Keegan, who barely saw action in 2024, and Matt Pryor, who was brought in later in free agency for added depth. The Eagles have also conducted pre-draft visits with several offensive linemen, many of whom are projected to play guard in the NFL.
Likely starter: Steen appears to be the frontrunner but could be impacted by the Eagles’ draft decisions. Probability: 40%.
Linebacker (Temporary Starter)
With Nakobe Dean expected to miss early 2025 due to a torn patellar tendon recovery, the Eagles will need a temporary starter in his place.
Interestingly, the team opted not to sign any linebackers during free agency, suggesting confidence in Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., who appears to have no real competition for the spot.
The only other off-ball linebackers on the roster are Ben VanSumeren, now primarily listed as a fullback, and Dallas Gant, who spent 2024 on the practice squad.
Likely (short-term) starter: Jeremiah Trotter, with high confidence at 90%.
Cornerback
A starting cornerback position has opened up following Darius Slay’s release. Quinyon Mitchell is set to play one corner spot, while Cooper DeJean will start in the slot. The remaining outside spot is still up for grabs.
Isaiah Rodgers, who served as CB4 in 2024, has left via free agency, and Kelee Ringo, previously CB5, now has a chance to ascend from a backup role to a starter.
The Eagles used a third-round pick on Ringo in the 2023 draft and indicated they would be patient in nurturing his development. Now is the moment for him to step up.
Ringo faces competition from veteran free agent Adoree’ Jackson, who has extensive starting experience. Failing to surpass Jackson would be disappointing for Ringo.
Likely starter: Kelee Ringo, at about 65% likelihood.
Safety
The Eagles created a vacancy at safety after trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston, leaving a gap across from Reed Blankenship.
Sydney Brown, a third-round pick in 2023, suffered an ACL injury late in his rookie season, sidelining him for all of 2024 training camp and the first five games of the regular season. During his absence, he fell behind both CJGJ and Blankenship, as well as Tristin McCollum.
The team likely holds more long-term hope for Brown than for McCollum, although it is disconcerting that McCollum was ahead of Brown prior to the injury.
While Brown is viewed as the front-runner to start, he will face competition from McCollum, midseason acquisition Lewis Cine, and second-year player Andre’ Sam who remains largely unrecognized.
Likely starter: Sydney Brown, with a probability of 60%.
Others: EDGE and interior Defensive Line
Additionally, I perceive Jalyx Hunt as a starting EDGE and Moro Ojomo as a probable starting interior defender. (Also, Jahan Dotson solidifies his role as WR3.)
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