Who makes the Eagles roster: Defensive line
The Eagles must narrow their roster to 75 players by next Tuesday and to 53 by Sept. 3. Here's a look at each position as final cutdown day looms:
Aug 23: Offensive line
Aug. 24: Defensive line
Aug. 25: Linebacker
Aug. 26: Wide receiver/tight end
Aug. 29: Running back
Aug. 30: Defensive back
Aug. 31: Quarterback/specialist
DEFENSIVE LINE
LIKELY TO KEEP: 10
WHO STAYS: Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Mike Martin, Beau Allen, Vinny Curry, Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham, Marcus Smith, Steven Means, Bryan Braman.
The final two preseason games will go a long way toward determining the depth at this position, which remains unsettled. But let's start with the top of the depth chart, which is a strength on the roster.
Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan are entrenched as the team's starting defensive tackles. Cox is an ideal fit for this defense and appears poised for another big season after signing a six-year, $103 million contract in June. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will find creative ways to use him, and he will be constantly attacking. There won't be much reading for Cox – he will use his strength and athleticism to penetrate the backfield. Logan was the team's nose tackle during the previous three seasons, so his role is considerably different this season. Not known as a pass rusher, Logan will have a chance to prove himself in that area. And it comes during a contract year, too, so Logan can help his future earnings with a strong campaign.
The Eagles appear thin behind them unless Mike Martin becomes the third defensive tackle the Eagles believe he can be. Martin missed the first two preseason games because of a left knee injury, but he looked good at the beginning of camp. A 2012 third-round pick, Martin fits better in this scheme than in the 3-4 defense in which he played in Tennessee. The Eagles signed him to a one-year deal in April, and he could play an important role if he's healthy because Schwartz is committed to a rotation along the line.
The Eagles could keep five defensive tackles and ensure Beau Allen and Taylor Hart both make the roster. I think they keep an extra defensive end and go with Allen over Hart here. Both players were 2014 draft picks who fit Chip Kelly's preferred two-gapping scheme, and they must prove they can have roles under Schwartz. Allen can be a load to stop when he goes north-south because he's so stout, which is why he gets the edge over Hart, who is the more slippery player as a pass rusher.
At defensive end, the top three will be Connor Barwin, Vinny Curry, and Brandon Graham. No matter who starts, all three will play. It appears that Barwin will play right end and take on left tackles. That is the opposite side that Barwin played last season, but he came into the league as a right defensive end and thinks he can fill that role. Curry has been in the wrong defense for the past three years and could be poised for a breakout year. The Eagles seem to think so – that's why they gave him a five-year, $47.25 million contract. Graham was drafted to play in this scheme and has looked good this summer. The Eagles are not expected to blitz often and will instead rely on a four-man rush. These three ends will be counted on to pressure the quarterback.
Behind them, Steven Means and Marcus Smith are competing for a spot. Means has played his way onto the roster with a strong camp and preseason. A 2013 fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Means has a sack and a forced fumble this summer.
I'm keeping Smith on the roster. The team has an investment in the 2014 first-round pick. Though he missed time with a concussion and is being pushed by Means, I don't think the team is ready to cut bait yet. Smith showed some promise with a sack in the second preseason game and his draft status will help – teams tend to have more patience with those picks, and he's finally playing defensive end again.
Bryan Braman is a special teams standout who will be counted on to help that unit. Don't expect him to have a role on defense, but with the Eagles likely to keep a special teams emphasis when assembling the roster, Braman could again make the 53.
WHO GOES
Taylor Hart, Aziz Shittu, Destiny Vaeao, Alex McCalister
The biggest name here is Hart. If the Eagles keep five tackles, he'll make it. They could go with 11 linemen and keep six ends and five tackles, but that would force them to go thin in another area. Hart was a favorite of the former coaching staff who might be best as a 3-4 defensive end.
Aziz Shittu and Destiny Vaeao were two undrafted rookies the team targeted, and Vaeao has caught attention this summer. He could push for a spot with a strong finish to the preseason. If the Eagles are thinking long term with the roster, he's someone I'd put a lot of thought into keeping.
Alex McCalister, the Eagles' seventh-round pick, has pass-rushing potential. He could make sense on the practice squad so he can add strength to a light frame.