A first look at the Eagles’ (unofficial) depth chart as training camp opens

The Eagles held their first practice of training camp for the 2023 season at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday. The session offered the first full-roster look at their working depth chart. Former Eagles coach Chip Kelly, when asked about his depth chart before the season, used to refer to it as “more of a seating chart.” And the same essentially applies to current coach Nick Sirianni’s approach in the early stages of the summer.

He will rotate players at various positions, sometimes within one practice and sometimes over the course of a week. But a close eye can catch when there has been a promotion and/or a demotion. The Eagles don’t have many starting positions up for competition. Right guard, safety and inside linebacker seem to be primary spots where there could be movement.

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But there are plenty of backup jobs on the 53-man roster up for grabs. Here’s how I see the 90-man roster stacking up — position by position with notes — based off team drills and my understanding of the depth chart (injured players in italics):

Book was first up with the third unit, but McKee — the Eagles’ sixth-round draft pick out of Stanford — took more snaps during seven-on-seven drills. It’s super early to make projections, but McKee may already be ahead of last year’s rookie project — Carson Strong — in terms of playing time.

With Miles Sanders gone, the top running back spot is open. Swift and Penny bring different skill sets to the table and could play on early downs depending upon the scenario. But by-committee will be the approach in camp and likely when the season opens.

If Brown or Smith were to get injured, Watkins would likely move to outside receiver and Zaccheaus would take his spot in the slot. All four of the top receivers have versatility and will move around in games, but for the purposes of this chart, and because of his place in the overall pecking order, Zaccheaus is slotted behind Brown.

The 6-foot-3 Ngata, an undrafted rookie, seems to intrigue coaches the most among the guys further down the depth chart — at least in the early going.

Calcaterra is poised to take on a larger role, as long as he can show that he’s close to the blocker Stoll has been. Arnold has the most experience of the third-stringers and could supplant Stoll. The Jackson project is entering Year 3 and he’s running out of time.

Brett Toth was the second unit center in practice — a new spot for him — but Jurgens will be the actual backup in-season. Steen should be Jurgens’ primary foe for right guard, although Driscoll has played there before with mixed results.

Dennis Kelly, the former Eagle who was recently brought back into the fold, is likely to jump up with the second team once he gets used to the offense.

In a 3-4 defense, the defensive front likely will have Davis start over the nose and the two 4i-techniques, either Cox, Carter or Williams. The Eagles don’t want to get into a situation where Cox is playing as many snaps as he did late last season, but a lot of that will depend on how Davis and Carter progress.

Graham filled in for the injured Reddick (groin) and opposite his normal side. Barnett, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL, didn’t participate in team drills. Nolan Smith ran with the second team and could hold onto that spot if he develops quickly.

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Patrick Johnson backed up Reddick last season, but practiced on Sweat’s side. Tarron Jackson also flipped sides. The Eagles may have just been experimenting for one day. Kyron Johnson practiced with inside linebackers during the spring, but appeared to do most of his work on the outside on Wednesday.

Morrow was first up with the ones, but Elliss, who was an OTA headliner, got some snaps alongside Dean.

Maddox was limited, so McPhearson started in the slot. He saw his first NFL practice repetitions inside during the spring. He’s trained mostly on the outside, but with Jobe, Williams and the rookie Ringo, it makes sense to expand his responsibilities. What happens behind Slay and Bradberry could predict their eventual replacements.

No one’s spot here is secure. A year ago, C.J. Gardner-Johnson wasn’t even on the Eagles roster and he’s now gone. Of the rookies starting out low on the depth chart, Sydney Brown could have the best odds for earning a starting spot before the season.

The Eagles added competition at punter with the undrafted Zentner. Siposs, despite his NFL travails, looked stronger in the spring, but Zentner has some time to catch up.