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Eagles' 53-man roster projection includes inexperienced backup QBs

Nate Sudfeld, who has appeared in three NFL games and thrown one TD pass, could enter the season as Philadelphia's No. 2 QB. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

The Philadelphia Eagles open training camp July 25 at the team’s facility in South Philly. Here's a 53-man roster projection:

QUARTERBACK (3): Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, Clayton Thorson

There is very little experience behind Wentz now that Nick Foles is in Jacksonville. Thorson is a rookie and Sudfeld has played a total of 25 NFL snaps. Cody Kessler would help in that department. He is fighting for a roster spot and could end up on the 53-man if the Eagles feel they can safely stash Thorson, their fifth-round pick out of Northwestern, on the practice squad.

RUNNING BACK (4): Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard, Corey Clement, Darren Sproles

The Eagles signed the 36-year-old Sproles to a one-year deal last week, adding to a crowded backfield. The snaps are going to be spread around with so many mouths to feed. Look for Sanders to have an increased role as the year goes on.

WIDE RECEIVER (5): Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Nelson Agholor, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Mack Hollins

This could be the best receiving corps Wentz ever works with. The addition of Jackson should send his deep-ball numbers soaring. Hollins missed all of last season with a groin injury. Shelton Gibson, Charles Johnson, Marken Michel, Greg Ward and Braxton Miller are waiting in the wings if Hollins doesn't round into form or the Eagles opt for six wideouts.

TIGHT END (3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers

Goedert was one of the team's standouts this spring and appears poised to take a big step forward in Year 2. In Ertz and Goedert, there is no better tight end tandem in the league. Josh Perkins and Rodgers are competing for the No. 3 role along with Will Tye.

OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Jordan Mailata, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Isaac Seumalo, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Stefen Wisniewski, Matt Pryor

The big question is whether Peters, 37, can stay healthy. If not, the rookie Dillard is in line to protect Wentz's blind side.

DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Tim Jernigan, Vinny Curry, Shareef Miller, Josh Sweat, Hassan Ridgeway, Treyvon Hester

The Eagles lost their two most productive defensive ends from 2018 -- Chris Long and Michael Bennett. Barnett is the key to this whole deal. Coming off a season-ending shoulder surgery, he needs to stay healthy and solidify the starting spot opposite Graham.

LINEBACKER (6): Nigel Bradham, Zach Brown, Kamu Grugier-Hill, L.J. Fort, Nathan Gerry, Paul Worrilow

Brown replaces Jordan Hicks, who signed with Arizona this offseason, in the middle. Finding an effective duo against the pass (the Eagles are in nickel and dime sub packages about 70% of the time) will be critical.

SECONDARY (9): Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Sidney Jones, Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Rasul Douglas, Blake Countess, Cre'Von LeBlanc, Avonte Maddox

Mills, Darby and McLeod are all coming off significant injuries. Philly might have to lean on its depth early in the season.

SPECIALIST (3): K Jake Elliott, P Cameron Johnston, LS Rick Lovato

Elliott missed just two field goal attempts under 49 yards in 2018, and still hasn't had to buy a beer in Philly since nailing that 61-yarder against New York during their Super Bowl season.