Eight Surprises Spotted On Eagles First Unofficial Depth Chart: Shocker at Backup RG

The first unofficial depth chart by the Philadelphia Eagles is out.

The Eagles typically release their depth chart ahead of the each preseason and regular season game. The preseason depth chart is noteworthy given the position battles that are taking place in training camp.

This depth chart is compiled by the communications department, so take some things with a grain of salt. This isn't how the depth chart has looked throughout training camp practices, but it's an indicator of how things stand so far.

What takeaways can we examine from this depth chart? What are the surprises?

Take a look at the depth chart before it's broken down.

The #Eagles depth chart. pic.twitter.com/UXAbtXuuJQ
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrPHL) August 12, 2026

QB2

The surprise: Andy Dalton AND Tanner McKee

Evaluating Eagles depth charts for 10+ years, this isn't a surprise. List both competitors in alphabetical order and not list a leader.

McKee and Dalton have split second team reps all of training camp, but Dalton has the slight lead right now. Nick Sirianni won't reveal if the starters will play in the preseason opener, but who gets the first crack at QB2 is the storyline.

At this point, it could be McKee or Dalton. While Dalton is the leader in the clubhouse in the battle, who starts Saturday won't be known until pregame warmups.

WR3

The surprise: Makai Lemon

Lemon has missed the past week of practice with a hamstring injury. He's been the sixth best wide receiver in camp and really didn't do much when he was healthy.

Darius Cooper has been better, and so has Elijah Moore. There's a case to be made Cooper is set for an elevated role in the offense, perhaps as a WR3. Moore is pushing for a roster spot too.

When Lemon gets back, he's expected to slide right in with the first team -- so this does make sense. Lemon may not be the instant contributor the Eagles thought, but he'll get the first crack in the slot (which is where he'll likely have the most success right away).

Second Team RT

The surprise: Markel Bell

Bell and Fred Johnson have been battling for the No. 3 tackle spot all summer. Johnson got the first crack at right tackle, but quickly ceded to Bell -- who played well at right tackle.

The Eagles moved Johnson back to right tackle this week and Bell over to left tackle. The No. 3 tackle spot doesn't have to be revealed on the depth chart, but it's noticeable Bell is listed as the second team right tackle.

Bell may have the edge over Johnson.

Second Team RG

The surprise: Jake Majors

The Eagles have been rotating at right guard throughout camp, with Micah Morris getting the early looks there before he suffered an injury last week. Morris is back, but he's listed on the thir dteam.

Willie Lampkin is on the third team too, which is a surprise given how well he's played this summer. Wouldn't have been surprising to see Lampkin on the second team.

Drew Kendall is listed as the second team center, which has merit. Kendall is likely the No. 3 guard too, getting the first call to fill in for Landon Dickerson (LG) and Tyler Steen (RG). Michael Jordan is the second team LG.

Majors is still a surprise, even though he's had a good summer.

Starting safety

The surprise: Cooper DeJean

DeJean is listed as the starting safety on the Eagles defense. Not Marcus Epps nor Michael Carter.

There is soome truth to this, as DeJean is the starting safety in base defense. The Eagles only run base defense 20% of the time (at most), in which DeJean will be there.

Notice DeJean is the first team starting slot cornerback too, signaling how he'll be on the field at all times. When the Eagles are in base defense, DeJean is at safety. When the Eagles are in nickel, DeJean will be in the slot.

So who's the starting safety.

Starting safety (nickel defense)

The surprise: Michael Carter AND Marcus Epps

Been evaluating Eagles' depth charts for over 10 years and this is a typical move (so this isn't a surprise to me).

The Eagles listed both Carter and Epps as the safeties, as there isn't a winner in the position battle yet. Epps has been getting more first team reps than Carter, but Carter is coming on strong in recent practices.

The Eagles can get by at safety with either Epps or Carter at starting safety in nickel packages. The depth behind them is troublesome, but the starters appear to be fine for a position the Eagles spend the fewest money in the NFL on.

Backup slot CB

The surprise: Michael Carter AND Mac McWilliams

Carter has been learning safety and cross raining in the slot. This is why he makes the roster outside of performance, as position versatility is crucial in Vic Fangio's scheme.

McWilliams has gotten first team opportunities with Jonathan Jones hurt (Jones is the top cornerback on the outside and in the slot behind the starters). he's held his own after a slow start to camp, and will get a long look this preseason.

There may be a roster spot for McWilliams, but he is a long shot.

Second team safety

The surprise: Andre Sam

Perhaps this isn't a surprise, given the safeties behind Epps and Carter haven't done much. Sam has bene the best of the bunch, but Maximus Pulley has made plays (the Eagles aren't going to have a rookie UDFA on the second team).

Sam is listed next to Carter AND Epps on the secodn team and has been around the Eagles for a few years. This is Sam's best chance to make the active roster.

First team DT

The surprise: Moro Ojomo

Not a surprise Ojomo is listed as a first team defensive tackle, but more of a surprise the Eagles listed three firts team defensive tackle (Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter with Ojomo).

This shows how highly the Eagles think of Ojomo, a player who is going to be in the rotation with Carter and Davis. Ojomo isn't even listed on the secodn team, and teh Eagles listed three defensive tackle on the second team (Ty Robinson, Byron Young, and Gabe Hall).

There's the puzzle that needs to be solved. Who is getting the No. 5 DT spot? Robinson or Hall?

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