NFL rosters will have to be cut down to 53 players by August 29, 2023. That means the Philadelphia Eagles will have some crucial decisions to make over the next week. With the final preseason game set to get underway, let’s take a look at 3 players that Eagles fans should be rooting for to make the team.
Eli Ricks
It didn’t take long for Eli Ricks to put himself on the map for Eagles fans and coaches.
The undrafted cornerback from LSU had a strong training camp and could parlay his performance into a spot on the 53-man roster. The Zech McPhearson injury could open up a spot on the Eagles’ depth chart behind Avonte Maddox and few players have proven to be as capable as Ricks.
The 21-year-old is a quick-twitch athlete with good hands and ball-recognition skills. In the 2023 preseason, he’s already racked up three passes defensed to go along with an interception return for a touchdown.
Ricks has been excellent in man coverage and showed his instincts by taking this Anthony Brown pass to the house.
Joseph Ngata
Injuries at the wide receiver position could thrust undrafted wide receiver Joseph Ngata into action earlier than expected.
Quez Watkins suffered a hamstring injury during training camp, Tyrie Cleveland suffered a concussion on a scary hit against the Cleveland Browns, and Olamide Zaccheaus injured his shoulder in last week’s preseason contest as well.
Ngata was the unquestioned leader in targets when playing with the Eagles’ second and third-team offense in training camp. He racked up 40 targets and appeared to be in line for a shot at one of the Eagles’ final roster spots.
The former Clemson wideout is a big-body receiver that can make plays over the middle of the football field. At 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, Ngata could develop into a meaningful contributor down the road in Philly.
Freddie Swain
This one is a long shot at best but there’s been legitimate excitement among Eagles fans about their newest signing.
At 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-9, respectively, the Eagles’ current slot receivers, Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus, are small, shifty players who use their quickness to wiggle free and get open. However, Swain has a combination of size (6-foot), speed (4.46s 40-time), and quickness for a slot receiver.
The Eagles’ newest addition also has another factor working in his favor.
Swain’s time at the University of Florida overlapped with current Eagles’ offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, meaning the two already have a level of familiarity with one another.
Swain has terrific footwork and a good early burst, which allows him to get off of the line of scrimmage easier than most slot receivers.
Given that Swain has been with the team for under 24 hours at this point, the practice squad seems more likely for the fourth-year pro. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Swain earn a spot on the roster as he becomes more acquainted with the Eagles’ playbook and staff.
He will be one of the key players to watch in the Eagles’ final preseason game on Thursday night versus the Colts.
