Last cuts are deepest for Birds’ bubble players

PHILADELPHIA » The big decisions have been made in anticipation of the massive cuts for the Eagles that begin Friday and must be completed by 4 p.m. Saturday.

In some way, 37 players must be pared from the 90man roster the Eagles took into their preseason finale Thursday against the New York Jets.

There’s also the possibility that the defending Super Bowl champs could trade a player or two, although with over 1,100 players available, it’s going to be difficult to sell it.

An exhibition against the Jets wasn’t so much a last chance for marginal players to win jobs as it was for them to make one last impression before leaving. Not much sleep is lost deciding which players outfit the 10-man practice squad.

That said, there is at least a shred of intrigue for the Eagles, as wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, defensive tackle Tim Jernigan and safety-special teams captain Chris Maragos still aren’t all the way back from surgeries.

Here’s the projected 53-man roster for the Eagles:

Quarterbacks (3): Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, Nate Sudfeld.

The only suspense here is whether Wentz starts the Sept. 6 opener. Doug Pederson said he will know Friday. We think he already knows. We’ll let him have his little secret.

Just the same, Foles looks like he’s aged overnight. He counts $13.6 million against the salary cap this year. Even if the Eagles were confident Sudfeld could be the backup, it would take salt to trade Foles. He and Eli Manning (twice) are the only quarterbacks to beat Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. Stay tuned.

Running backs (4): Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, Darren Sproles, Josh Adams.

Unless Adams get hurt, Wendell Smallwood should keep his bags handy. The Eagles like Adams, the bigger, less expensive back out of Notre Dame. He runs with patience and power. They could keep him around for a while before deciding if he can really help.

Smallwood may have modest trade value. He has conditional draft pick from Patriots written all over him. The Eagles could add another big back as their journey continues. And they’ll need one. Ajayi’s chronically ailing knee already is requiring maintenance. At this point Donnel Pumphrey is a practice squad guy.

Tight ends (3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers.

The only thing that could force a move here is the knee injury to Rodgers. If he winds up on injured reserve-designated for return, the Eagles might want to keep Billy Brown or Anthony Denham around.

Personally, I’d give Brent Celek a call. Maybe not right away. Vested veterans don’t have their entire season’s salary guaranteed until after the first game.

Wide receivers (6): Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, Mike Wallace, Shelton Gibson, DeAndre Carter.

Really, it will be five playable receivers on the roster for the opener as Jeffery (rotator) might not be available until late September. The deal breaker is special teams, and Gibson and Carter are capable returners.

Markus Wheaton is the surprise veteran cut here. His hamstring still isn’t 100 percent. If Wheaton isn’t claimed or doesn’t sign elsewhere we could see the Eagles bringing him back on a week-to-week contract.

Offensive linemen (10): Jason Peters, Stefen Wisniewski, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Isaac Seumalo, Chance Warmack, Matt Pryor, Jordan Mailata.

You can’t have enough offensive linemen, especially with the 36-year-old Peters coming off a torn ACL and Big V in a funk.

Pryor and Mailata have too much upside to risk bringing back to the practice squad. Warmack would be worth something in a trade. Have you seen the Giants’ offensive line?

Defensive tackle (4): Fletcher Cox, Haloti Ngata, Destiny Vaeao, Bruce Hector.

Hector has outplayed Vaeao, so it could get interesting here. If Jernigan (back surgery) isn’t released, he’ll go on the IR-non-football injury list, and won’t count against the 53.

Elijah Qualls can’t do much better than the practice squad right now.

Defensive ends (7): Chris Long, Brandon Graham, Michael Bennett, Derek Barnett, Michael Bennett, Josh Sweat, Steven Means.

Bennett, Long and Graham can play inside, if necessary. I’m not a big fan of Sweat. Means must have saved Jim Schwartz’s life. The vet is like one of those cats with nine lives.

Linebackers (4): Jordan Hicks, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Gerry, LaRoy Reynolds.

It’s four slots at this position for the opener because Nigel Bradham serves a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy and doesn’t count against the total.

Reynolds outplayed Corey Nelson, who was cut. GrugierHill earned a place at the table even if Schwartz won’t admit he loathes this position.

Cornerbacks (5): Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas, Avonte Maddox.

Either Malcolm Jenkins or Jones will be the nickel back, depending on the matchup. Though he needs considerable work, Jones might spell starters Mills and Darby on the outside. It’s a tough break for De’Vante Bausby, who led the club in preseason tackles yet will be cut.

Safeties (4): Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Corey Graham, Tre Sullivan.

Sullivan is biding time until Maragos (knee) comes off IRdesignated for return. Kicker (1): Jake Elliott. Elliott’s only flaw is inconsistency on PATs and short field goals. The Eagles should take a couple of penalties to get him further away from the uprights.

Punter (1): Cameron Johnston.

Johnston almost made the team last year, the only question whether he was up to holding for the kicker. His punts have been solid.

Long snapper (1): Ricky Lovato.

Lovato clearly beat out Jon Dorenbos for the job last year. And he’s a little bigger and just as talented this year.

Contact Bob Grotz at bobgrotz@21st-centurymedia. com; follow him on Twitter @ bobgrotz.