The clock is ticking on roster decisions around the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles must cut their roster from 91 to 53 by Aug 30 at 6 p.m. ET, and all that’s left to evaluate are the final practices of training camp during the next four days and Friday’s preseason finale. There’s also the possibility of a Howie Roseman trade — this was the week the Eagles acquired Jahan Dotson in 2024 — that could shake up the roster.With one additional week of information and evaluation, The Athletic’s Zach Berman and Brooks Kubena took their third swing at projecting the 53-man roster. (Here’s the first version and second version.)QuarterbacksKubena (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Cole PaytonThe Eagles hedged their bets on the backup job by acquiring Andy Dalton in the offseason. The arrangement inherently limited the training camp reps that could be split between Dalton and Tanner McKee. Still, there was no guarantee McKee would adapt to a very different system from what he’d experienced at Stanford. But McKee showed progress when given more opportunity against the New England Patriots. He was more decisive with his hot reads under pressure. He led a successful five-play, two-minute drill by taking advantage of illusory “short” routes that turned into long gains.He said more of the playbook was accessed than against the Baltimore Ravens, but the short game seemed to be an emphasis; McKee did not attempt a pass of 10-plus air yards until 6:18 left in the fourth quarter — and he threw just two. McKee’s seven drives suggest he can advance under OC Sean Mannion if given more time to do so. The Eagles can part with Dalton — by trade, if possible — knowing he at the very least served as motivation for McKee.Berman (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Cole PaytonThese three have been my pick since the start of the summer, and Andy Dalton has not done enough to change that. I still think the Eagles would try to trade one of Dalton or McKee. The clock is ticking. Could Roseman carry four on the initial 53-man roster to hold a bluff?Top Plays from Eagles @ PatriotsRunning backsKubena (3): Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will ShipleyCarson Steele just made it very hard for the Eagles to stash him on their practice squad. The hurdling Steele played like all the other 31 teams were watching — and, indeed, their pro scouting departments were. Steele, an undrafted rookie in 2024, will be subject to waivers if the Eagles cut him. I can’t see him making the roster in this crowded position group, and he has not been practicing as an H-back in training camp, suggesting the Eagles wouldn’t file him under the “tight end/fullback” category.This happens in training camp. Steele’s preseason appearances are essentially job interviews with other teams. He’ll have another one in the preseason finale on Friday against the Cincinnati Bengals.Berman (3): Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will ShipleyThis is a quality trio. Barkley is one of the best running backs in the NFL; Bigsby is one of the better No. 2 running backs. If Shipley is third on the depth chart, that’s a good depth chart. The Eagles could stash a veteran such as Dameon Pierce on the practice squad for injury insurance.Wide receiversKubena (6): DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Makai Lemon, Darius CooperI go back and forth on this position group. Last time, I removed Moore. But it doesn’t seem prudent to cut the only wideout who has consistently showcased explosiveness as a deep-ball threat. Moore caught another bomb for a touchdown in joint practices with the Patriots. I think this comes down to the Eagles’ relationship with Moore. His one-year, $1.3 million contract is not guaranteed.They can persuade him to stick around town as a vested veteran with the understanding that he’d temporarily join the practice squad until another spot opens (or they make use of their in-season elevations). Makai Lemon, who returned to practice last week, under limitations with his hamstring injury, will need time to learn this system before he can be relied upon to make an impact.Berman (5): DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Hollywood BrownBrown has $5 million guaranteed and should be on the roster unless he’s traded. I struggled with the Moore decision, but figured he’s a practice squad candidate for the initial roster, considering he’s a vested veteran without a significant financial obligation. They can elevate him for Week 1 and see how the roster looks thereafter.Tight endsKubena (3): Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli StowersSame group as before. The remaining preseason time appears to be a battle for who the Eagles stash on their practice squad. Consider the snap counts against the Patriots: Stone Smartt (25), Cam Latu (22), E.J. Jenkins (21). These are players that, as practice squad elevations, can offer support as blockers.Berman (4): Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers, Cameron LatuThis is the discrepancy between Brooks’ 53 and mine, and I don’t write it with much conviction. If the Eagles are going to play with as many heavy packages as I expect, they need depth at tight end. Latu, who also carries value on special teams and as a potential fullback, earned a roster spot last season and would be subject to waivers if he doesn’t make the initial roster. That’s why I put him on here, although I could see Roseman swinging a deal for a tight end or even scanning the waiver wire.Offensive lineKubena (10): Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Markel Bell, Fred Johnson, Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, Tyler Steen, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Micah MorrisThe spoken confidence of Sirianni and Mannion about their offensive line depth showed up on film. Lampkin was impressive against the Patriots. Kendall assisted Lampkin on a powerful double-team that paved the way for Will Shipley’s touchdown run. Bell consistently moved people in the run game. Kendall and Bell have both taken reps with the first-team rotation in training camp. Lampkin’s play warrants some first-team looks in the final week of the preseason.Berman (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Micah MorrisOne of the best developments of the summer has been the progress of the young reserves. Bell, Kendall, Lampkin and Morris have all shown encouraging signs. Bell’s emergence as a potential swing tackle could make Fred Johnson expendable. I still have him on here, but could he be floated as a trade candidate? That would allow the Eagles to further develop Myles Hinton or Cameron Williams, although neither has pushed his way on the right side of this 53 yet.Defensive lineKubena (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar BernardTo borrow defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s phrasing, Ty Robinson is no longer on life support. He has three sacks in two preseason games and has proven he belongs on an NFL roster. The main question here is if the Eagles think Bernard will pass through the waiver wire. I still do not think Roseman will take the risk. Bernard logged his first two tackles of the preseason against the Patriots.Berman (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar BernardThis group is taking shape, with the first five locks. My position on Bernard is unchanged — I believe the Eagles view this as a multi-year investment and would be less inclined to expose him to waivers for another team to assume the experiment. Gabe Hall and Zion Wilson are two players worthy of consideration. They would be prime practice squad candidates if they go unclaimed.Edge rushersKubena (6): Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, Joshua WeruI am keeping Weru — the Eagles’ other developmental D-lineman from the International Pathway Program. The former member of the Kenyan national rugby team recorded his first sack of the preseason. Jalyx Hunt called it his personal highlight of the week on the TV broadcast. I was impressed by his football debut. Fangio included Weru when talking about Bernard, saying they were “light years away” from contributing. I’m not so certain that applies as much to Weru anymore.He played almost half the defense’s total snaps against the Patriots (36). There is much more to playing edge rusher under Fangio than rushing the passer — including dropping back in coverage — but Weru is showing that he at the very least has a knack for this game.Berman (6): Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, Joshua WeruI wrote last week that by the time I make my next projection, I might kick myself for leaving Weru off. Give me a moment to kick. Weru has shown enough upside that the Eagles should not take the risk of exposing him to waivers to use the international exemption on the practice squad. Even if he’s not active this year, the Eagles can protect him on the 53 for the purpose of development (unless an injury lands him on IR, which could also happen with Bernard). The other question is whether Greenard begins the season on the PUP list. I still expect him to remain on the active roster.Philadelphia Eagles linebackers Jose Ramirez (43) and Joshua Weru (46) sack New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton in their teams’ preseason game on Saturday at Gillette Stadium. (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)LinebackersKubena (5): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr., Chance CampbellFangio called inside linebacker the defense’s deepest position group. The Eagles can afford to keep them together. The cap hits this season for Trotter ($ 1.1 million), Mondon ($ 1.1 million), and Chance Campbell ($1 million) are all blips on the Eagles’ budget. Trotter, who has two sacks in two preseason games, is increasingly looking like a starting-caliber linebacker.Mondon also revealed in joint practices that he’s getting the hang of Fangio’s simulated rushes. This is the well from which Roseman could dip if he needed to make a trade. Deontae Lawson, an undrafted rookie from Alabama, is showing promise; the Eagles could backfill whomever (if ever) Roseman trades.Berman (5): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr., Chance CampbellThe depth spots here remain an interesting question. I’m leaning toward Mondon and Chance Campbell, although I wouldn’t dismiss Deontae Lawson as an option for the roster. Chance Campbell was on the practice squad last season, and nobody signed him away. Does that indicate that the Eagles could get him on the practice squad again? Those are the questions Roseman must ask when putting the roster together. It’s not just the best 53 — it’s also the 70-man roster, including the practice squad.CornerbacksKubena (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Mac McWilliams, Jonathan Jones, Kelee RingoThis was a rough week for the bottom of the depth chart. Ambry Thomas and Isaiah Bolden were both burned for long touchdowns against the Patriots, and Shaun Wade also surrendered an explosive touchdown during joint practices. Jones (shoulder) and Jakorian Bennett (knee) have been sidelined with injuries, and Tariq Castro-Fields (heel) was placed on injured reserve Thursday. I’d expect Jones, an 11-year veteran with versatility, to make the roster. Ringo still isn’t consistent enough in coverage, but the Eagles need core special teams contributors — and he’s a major one.Berman (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams, Kelee RingoUnlike linebacker, I don’t feel as strong about the cornerback depth. Jones’ injury complicated his roster status. He’s still here as the top backup option, but he’s been sidelined for two weeks and didn’t stand out before then. Jakorian Bennett’s injury also affected his spot in the competition. That led me to McWilliams and Ringo, the latter of whom has a key role on special teams. I’m also not ruling out a trade, whether to add or move a player.SafetyKubena (3): Drew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter III’m sticking with three safeties here, and my rationale remains the same: DeJean plays safety in base packages and can fill in if the Eagles have multiple injuries at the position during a given game. Unfortunately, Cole Wisniewski missed the majority of training camp with his hamstring injury.He returned to the field in joint practices against the Patriots. The seventh-round rookie has one final week to show how quickly he can progress in this system. Friday’s preseason finale against the Bengals will be a league-wide job interview for Wisniewski, as it will be for Steele.Berman (3): Drew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter IIMay I keep writing “Player to be Named Later”? That’s still a possibility at safety. Three is light — especially with Carter still adjusting to the position — but DeJean is the safety in base. Maximus Pulley was on my roster last week and was under heavy consideration. So was Kapena Gushiken. But I went heavier at edge rusher and tight end in this roster projection, leaving them lighter at safety.SpecialistsKubena (2): Jake Elliott, Braden MannFull disclosure: I’m stealing Berman’s strategy from our last projection. The risk of losing long-snapper Rocco Underwood on the waiver wire is worth keeping Weru and Bernard on this roster. Johnny Wilson and Castro-Fields’ movement to IR is a reminder that roster spots open up during the regular season. Indeed, a spot may open this week via trade, injury, or a practice squad arrangement with a vested veteran.Berman (2): Jake Elliott, Braden MannSame as last week: I don’t think the Eagles carry Underwood on the initial 53-man roster. That’s not to suggest he won’t be the long snapper this season, but are the Eagles worried someone else will claim him off waivers? In fact, the Eagles might want to evaluate the available long snappers post-cutdown.