Man, talk about a curveball! Fifth-round rookie quarterback Cole Payton, fresh out of North Dakota State, is *the* guy projected to snatch that third quarterback spot on the Philadelphia Eagles’ 53-man roster. And get this: he’s doing it ahead of veteran Andy Dalton. This massive projection from Rob Gregson of A to Z Sports dropped after their preseason Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and it’s already got everyone buzzing about who’s in and who’s out.
Rookie QB Shocker and a Veteran on the Block?
While the Eagles’ 24-7 preseason opener loss to the Ravens might sting a bit, the coaching staff isn’t focused on the score. Nope, they’re all about evaluating the roster, and Week 1 apparently gave them a crystal-clear picture, especially in the quarterback room. Jalen Hurts has the starting gig locked down, no surprise there. But it’s the battle for depth that’s turning heads. Payton’s mobility was on full display in the second half, with a clutch scramble on fourth-and-three and a touchdown pass that capped off a late drive. That kind of play is exactly what makes a case for a guy as a developmental option. Gregson’s projection has Dalton on the outside, and it sounds like Philadelphia might actually trade him for a Day 3 pick rather than try to keep four quarterbacks on the active roster. Imagine moving a veteran for a late-round pick just to make room for a rookie! That’s how much stock they’re putting in Payton right now.
Undrafted Wideout Stuns the Bubble
The wide receiver bubble also saw some major shake-ups. Darius Cooper, an undrafted player, reportedly earned a spot in the projected six-receiver group after absolutely crushing it in camp and during the preseason opener. His inclusion is one of the clearest surprises in Gregson’s entire projection, proving that strong performances really do catch the eye. Meanwhile, Hollywood Brown is still in the projection, even with some quieter performances so far. His $5 million guarantee is basically his shield right now. The full projected six receivers are DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Cooper, Brown, and Elijah Moore. Sorry, Johnny Wilson, Britain Covey, and Quez Watkins fans: they’re currently projected out.
Trench Battles and Defensive Risers
It’s not just the skill positions getting all the action. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. had a monster game with a sack, multiple quarterback hits, and five tackles, totally locking down his spot among the linebackers. Ty Robinson also recorded a sack and remains in the projected six-man interior defensive line group. On the offensive line, Markel Bell has been pushing hard for a role as a swing tackle among the reserves. And get this: one of the wildest inclusions is Uar Bernard, a raw international developmental tackle with practically no organized football experience before this. Gregson projects Bernard to stick on the 53 mainly to keep other teams from snatching him off waivers. Talk about upside! Jonathan Greenard is projected to make the roster, expected to come off the physically unable to perform list and add some serious depth to the edge group when he returns. And in the secondary, Mac McWilliams logged heavy snaps and led the team in tackles, keeping him right in the mix for a depth spot, though Gregson notes there’s still meaningful variance between him and Kelee Ringo.
With two more exhibition games to go, these next couple of weeks are everything. Who’s going to seize their moment? Can Cole Payton truly solidify his spot and send a veteran packing? These are the real battles happening before the cutdown day.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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