The Philadelphia Eagles ended their preseason on a sour note, losing 27-13 to Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts. A stray preseason loss doesn't matter in the grand scheme of the NFL season, however, and the Eagles have every reason to be confident in this year's squad.
After going 14-3 en route to a Super Bowl appearance, the Eagles' roster got even better over the summer. The arrival of first-round picks Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith on defense, as well as D'Andre Swift at running back, has fans dreaming of the Lombardi.
Philadelphia's core starters are mostly established, but with the 53-man roster deadline looming on Tuesday, we focus today on the roster bubble. Here are three players who earned a spot during the Eagles' preseason finale, as well as one who should probably be left out.
Eagles 53-man roster spot secured: Julian Good-Jones
The Eagles signed Julian Good-Jones to a Reserve/Future contract in January after a strong season in the CFL. The former Iowa State product went undrafted in 2020, but went through training camp with the Eagles before roster cuts. He also worked out with the team last November.
Philadelphia has arguably the best offensive line in football, but depth is a point of concern. Good-Jones can toggle between guard or center. That versatility could make him useful for the Eagles, who lack elite fill-ins at either position. The disparity in talent between the CFL and NFL is vast, but Good-Jones was a legitimate star in Canada.
He has been poking around the organization for long enough to earn a real chance in 2023.
Eagles 53-man roster spot secured: Britain Covey
Britain Covey hasn't been very active as a pass-catcher for Philadelphia in preseason action, but he earned positive reviews in camp and, more importantly, he's a critical piece to the Eagles' special teams puzzle due to his punt-return abilities.
Covey battled a hamstring issue early in camp, but he caught on quickly and looked the part of a player who deserves another go-around with the NFL roster. He's limited to short-yardage work as a speedy, undersized pass-catcher (5-foot-8, 176 pounds), but his track record as a punt returner is undeniable.
Last season, the rookie out of Utah returned 33 punts for 308 yards, with averages out to 9.3 yards per return. There has been some chatter about Devon Allen taking Covey's spot after his brilliant 73-yard kickoff return against the Colts, but it's Covey who has the resume as a punt returner, And, ultimately, punt return work is more important than kick return work given the NFL's new touchback rules.
The Eagles can't lose the forest through the trees here. Allen's performance was impressive, and maybe he has his own case for a roster spot, but Covey was impactful on a regular basis for the NFC champs last season. He's a proven commodity who is showing no signs of decline.
Eagles 53-man roster spot secured: Kelee Ringo
Kelee Ringo struggled in the Eagles' preseason games, to the point where not everyone is convinced the fourth-round pick out of UGA should make the final cut -- or, at the very least, whether or not he should remain at CB instead of safety.
The counterargument is fairly simple. Ringo is two months past his 21st birthday. He's extremely young by NFL standards and the Eagles, blessed with depth across the board on defense, can afford to be patient. Ringo has an impressive track record of success for college football's top defense. There's no reason to panic because of a few preseason games.
Ringo accumulated 42 tackles and two interceptions in his final season with the Bulldogs. He supplied three tackles in the loss to Indianapolis, getting more involved than he had in previous games. He's a premier athlete at 6-foot-2 with ample room (and time) to grow at the NFL level.
There is some lingering concern about the Eagles' defensive backfield after their disappearing act in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. The loss of C.J. Gardner-Johnson at safety didn't assuage such concern, which has no doubt contributed to the chorus calling for Ringo to change positions. Either way, the Eagles should have faith -- and patience -- in the 105th pick. It's far too early to abandon ship.
Eagles 53-man roster cut incoming: Devon Allen
Devon Allen lit the NFL world on fire with his mesmerizing 73-yard kick return against the Colts. He initially muffed the catch, but scooped it off the turf, broke a tackle, and took off down the sideline for a highlight-reel return. It does feel like the kind of play that gets a player on the roster.
Allen is a fascinating prospect. His last kick return was almost nine years ago, when he was teammates with current Eagles QB Marcus Mariota at Oregon. Since then, Allen has competed in the Olympics not as a football player, but as a hurdler. It's clear his track-and-field stardom can be applied to the football field.
That said, one play does not make a player in the NFL. New league rules have diminished the importance of kick returns and Britain Covey is a more proven asset in the punt return game. Covey's year of NFL success should outstrip the intriguing-but-uncertain potential of Allen, who hasn't played football in almost a decade.
Allen could land with the practice squad, or perhaps an Eagles cut lands him with another team in search of special teams reinforcements. Allen is a great storyline, but the Eagles can't get sentimental. There are better options on the roster.
