Philadelphia Eagles 2026 Training Camp: The "Bubble Players" Power Rankings Explained Simply

What Is a "Bubble Player"?

Imagine you’re trying to make a sports team, but there are only a few spots left. You’re not a guaranteed starter (a "Lock"), and you’re not completely out of the running (a "Long Shot"). You’re right on the edge—on the bubble.

Last Saturday, analysts sorted all Eagles players into four groups:

• 43 Locks / "Not-Quite-Locks": Basically guaranteed a spot.
• 27 Bubble Players: Fighting for the final ~10 roster spots.
• 21 Long Shots: Very unlikely to make the team.

This article breaks down the 27 Bubble Players, ranked from "safest bet" to "longest shot," in a way that’s easy to understand—even if you’re new to football!

The Rankings: Who Has the Best Shot?

Tier 1: "Don’t Bet Against Them" (Rank 1–4)

These players have inside tracks due to draft status, special teams value, or lack of depth at their position.

1. iDL Ty Robinson (Interior Defensive Lineman)
   • The Story: Had a rough rookie year but has climbed the ladder in camp.
   • Why He Stays: He’s a 2nd-year, 4th-round draft pick. Teams hate giving up on high picks this early. Plus, the Eagles are thin at his position behind the top 4 guys.
2. RB Will Shipley (Running Back)
   • The Story: Missed his chance to be the #2 back last year (team traded for Tank Bigsby).
   • Why He Stays: He does the dirty work: returns kicks and protects the punter. Plus, same logic as Robinson—recent draft pick = patience from the front office.
3. iOL Willie Lampkin (Interior Offensive Lineman)
   • The Story: The Rams messed up waiving him injured last year; Eagles stashed him on IR (Injured Reserve) all 2025.
   • Why He Stays: Despite being listed at a generous 5’11", he’s balled out in camp. He earned this shot.
4. EDGE A.J. Epenesa (Edge Rusher)
   • The Story: A legit NFL vet who failed a physical with the Browns earlier this year but looks healthy now.
   • Why He Stays: Eagles love edge depth. With starter Jonathan Greenard out "a couple more weeks," they need warm bodies who can actually play.

Tier 2: "Strong Case, But Numbers Game" (Rank 5–11)

Talented players fighting roster math (too many good players at one position).

1. OG Micah Morris (Offensive Guard): Athletic developmental guy who hasn’t looked overwhelmed, just missed a few practices.
2. iDL Uar Bernard: Coach Fangio says he has "light years to go," but GM Howie Roseman loves his raw power/athleticism. They might stash him on IR (redshirt) rather than risk losing him on waivers (where other teams can claim him).
3. CB Jonathan Jones (Cornerback): Was a lock until he got hurt. Vet who can play inside/outside. Still likely makes it, but less certain now.
4. CB Mac McWilliams: Jones’ injury opens a door. Versatile like Jones but needs more experience ("seasoning").
5. WR Elijah Moore (Wide Receiver): Has caught everything in camp. Legit NFL talent. The Problem: How many WRs can they keep? (Usually 5-6).
6. QB Andy Dalton: Started camp strong, shaky lately. The Twist: If they like rookie Cole Payton as QB3, they might trade Dalton or Tanner McKee (the two co-QB2s). Bet is on Dalton being the odd man out.
7. WR Johnny Wilson: Unique 6’6", 230lb blocker. Great for "dirty work." The Problem: Undrafted rookie Darius Cooper has outperformed him for that specific role. Again—roster math at WR.

Tier 3: "Specialists & Tough Calls" (Rank 12–17)

Players with specific roles (Long Snapper, Returner) or crowded position rooms.

1. LS Rocco Underwood (Long Snapper): No competition in camp, but has had bad snaps (punts & field goals). Prediction: Eagles will sign a better veteran after final cuts (6 other teams have 2 snappers in camp right now).
2. CB Kelee Ringo: Was fighting to start last year; now fighting for a roster spot. Elite gunner (punt coverage), but is that one skill worth a precious 53-man spot?
3. OL Myles Hinton: Cross-training at tackle/guard, but stuck on the 3rd string.
4. WR Britain Covey: Primary punt returner. Key detail: He’s a Vested Veteran (4+ accrued seasons). Translation: If cut, he doesn’t go through waivers. Eagles can cut him, keep him on the practice squad, and call him up for game days safely.
5. TE Grant Calcaterra: Solid player, but the TE room is packed (Goedert, Mundt, Stowers, Latu are locks/near-locks). Keeping 5 TEs is rare.
6. RB Dameon Pierce: Looked like RB3 competition for Shipley, then got hurt. Verdict: Practice squad stash candidate (safe to cut, bring back, call up if injuries hit).

Tier 4: "Injured / Invisible / Uphill Battle" (Rank 18–27)

Missed major time, buried on depth chart, or practice squad candidates.

1. CB Cole Wisniewski: Missed 9 of 11 practices. Hard to make a team from the training room.
2. EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby: Missed 8 of 11 practices. Same issue.
3. EDGE Joshua Weru: Athletic freak, further along than Bernard, but lower priority for the front office to retain at all costs.
4. OT Cameron Williams: Rookie RT had a rough camp, not much improvement. Eagles are patient with O-line, but projected off 53 for now.
5. S Maximus Pulley: Good instincts/trigger, but unlikely to be claimed by another team if cut (easy practice squad return).
6. iDL Gabe Hall: Eagles like him, but he’s been on PS long enough with zero interest from other teams = safe practice squad return.
7. SCB/S Kapena Gushiken (Slot Corner/Safety): Speedy, feisty, but hasn’t done enough yet. Needs preseason heroics.
8. OG Michael Jordan: Described as "This year’s Kendall Lamm" (a veteran journeyman camp body).
9. TE E.J. Jenkins: Great size/athleticism/blocking. Victim of the numbers crunch at TE.
10. iOL Jake Majors: Analyst "doesn’t see the appeal," but gets lots of 2nd-team reps. A mystery box.

IMPORTANT: Key Concepts to Remember

• The 53-Man Roster: The final team. Only 53 players make it.
• Practice Squad (PS): Up to 16 players who practice but don’t play Sundays (usually). Bubble players often end up here.
• Waivers: When a team cuts a player with <4 years experience, other teams have 24 hrs to claim them. High draft picks (Robinson, Bernard) are rarely risked here.
• Vested Veteran: 4+ accrued seasons. If cut, NO WAIVERS. They become free agents instantly. Teams use this to cut a vet (Covey), sign someone else, then re-sign the vet to the PS.
• IR (Injured Reserve): "Redshirt" spot. Player doesn’t count on 53-man roster but can’t play for at least 4 games. Used for developmental guys (Bernard, Lampkin last year).
• Gunner: Special teams sprinter who runs downfield to tackle the punt returner. A specialized, valuable role (Ringo).

Summary

The Eagles have ~10 spots for 27 bubble players.

• Top 4 (Robinson, Shipley, Lampkin, Epenesa) are virtual locks due to draft capital, special teams value, or positional scarcity.
• The "Numbers Crunch" is real at WR, TE, and CB. Good players (Moore, Wilson, Calcaterra, Ringo, McWilliams) will lose out purely because you can’t keep 8 WRs or 5 TEs.
• The Long Snapper (Underwood) is in trouble despite no competition—bad snaps lose jobs.
• Vested Vets (Covey, Dalton, Jordan) have unique leverage: they can be cut safely and brought back.
• Injuries (Jones, Wisniewski, James-Newby, Pierce) are the biggest roster-killers in August.
• Bottom third (18-27) are almost exclusively Practice Squad candidates—the goal isn’t the 53, it’s staying in the building.

FAQ

1. What does "iDL" or "EDGE" mean?

• iDL = Interior Defensive Lineman. Big guys who line up inside the offensive tackles (Defensive Tackles).
• EDGE = Edge Rusher. Guys who line up outside the tackle to rush the QB or set the edge on runs (Defensive Ends/OLBs).

2. Why would the Eagles cut a good player like Elijah Moore or Grant Calcaterra?

• Roster Math. You can only keep ~5-6 Wide Receivers and ~3-4 Tight Ends. If you have 4 "Locks" at WR and 2 other bubble guys outplay the 3rd bubble guy, the 3rd guy gets cut—even if he’s NFL-caliber. It’s a numbers game, not just talent.

3. What is the "Practice Squad" and why do we want bubble players there?

• It’s a developmental roster (16 players). They practice with the team, learn the playbook, and are "next man up" if someone on the 53 gets injured. For bubble players (like Bernard, Hall, Pierce), making the PS is a win—they stay employed, get paid, and get another year to develop.

4. Why is Britain Covey (Rank 15) safer than Johnny Wilson (Rank 11)?

• Vested Veteran Status. Covey has 4+ years in the league. If the Eagles cut him, no other team can claim him off waivers. He will clear waivers and can be signed to the Practice Squad 100% guaranteed. Wilson (rookie) would be exposed to waivers—any of the 31 other teams could steal him. That makes Covey much easier to "stash."

5. What happens to Andy Dalton (Rank 10) if he’s traded?

• The Eagles would get a draft pick (likely late round) or a player in return. Dalton goes to a new team to be a backup/mentor. The Eagles then roll with Jalen Hurts (QB1), Tanner McKee (QB2), and Cole Payton (QB3/PS). This saves a roster spot and gains an asset.