The Eagles may not be as deep as they’ve been in past years, but that doesn’t mean the roster is short on hidden value. In fact, a few backups could end up shaping the season in a big way once the games start to matter in 2026.
That’s the real story here: Philadelphia has reserves who aren’t penciled in as starters, but who can still swing snaps, stabilize injuries, and keep the whole operation moving. From the offensive line to the pass rush, the Eagles have several players who look ready for real work.
Kendall is one of the clearest examples. He surfaced as the No. 3 guard early in training camp and quickly became the first man up behind Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen whenever either starter needed a breather. He held up well against Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo in practice, and that carried into the preseason, where he stood out in run blocking with the rest of the second-team offensive line.
The move to guard has gone smoothly, but Kendall’s value goes beyond one spot. He’s also the top backup at center, which makes him the anchor of the second unit up front. If the Eagles need him, he looks ready to step in.
Bigsby is another reserve who should matter a lot. Philadelphia already got a look at what he can do when he filled in for Saquon Barkley last year, and the numbers tell the story.
Bigsby finished with 58 carries for 344 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He was especially productive late, piling up 39 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns over the final four games, a stretch in which he averaged 4.5 yards per attempt.
Barkley is still set to handle a major share of the workload, but Bigsby should have a bigger lane in 2026. The Eagles want him as a north-south runner who can take some pressure off the starter, and they clearly have plans to use him more.
On the defensive line, Young is the kind of player who can get overlooked because of the names ahead of him. Philadelphia is going to lean heavily on three defensive tackles, but Young remains the No. 4 option, and that still matters a lot. He’s been developed over the past two seasons, and last year he showed he could contribute when called on.
His inside versatility gives the Eagles a real edge, and when Young is on the field, the production doesn’t fall off. He’s in line for a bigger role in 2027, but this season he’s an important piece of the tackle rotation.
Trotter Jr. also looks like a reserve who won’t stay buried for long. He turned heads in training camp and the preseason by consistently putting himself in position to make plays and getting to the ball carrier. There are plenty of NFL teams that would start him, and Philadelphia appears determined to find ways to get him on the field behind Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell.
If Baun or Campbell misses time, the Eagles expect Trotter Jr. to keep the defense steady. Even as a backup, he has a defined job.
At safety, the picture isn’t fully settled yet, but Carter II made the competition tougher than expected after a strong summer transition to the position. He can line up in the slot or at safety, and that kind of versatility matters. The Eagles’ starters at safety are Andrew Mukuba, Cooper DeJean, and Marcus Epps, but Carter gives them more depth and kept the team from having to chase an outside upgrade.
He’ll have chances to play, and he’ll still be pushing Epps for a starting spot. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Carter works his way into that role later in the year.
Then there’s Epenesa, who looks like one of the most underrated offseason additions. The Eagles already have a deep pass rush, and Epenesa adds another layer to it. In Buffalo, he proved he could be a reliable reserve edge player, especially on third down, helping get the defense off the field.
Last season, Epenesa posted 28 pressures, nine quarterback hits, and a 13.7% pressure rate in 16 games, along with 2.5 sacks. He also had 6+ sacks in each of the three seasons before that, from 2022 to 2024, and reached 20+ pressures in each of the past five seasons, from 2021 to 2025. With Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, and Nolan Smith leading the way, Epenesa gives Philadelphia depth it didn’t have a year ago and helps the team stay patient with Greenard’s pectoral injury.
The Eagles don’t need these backups to be stars. They need them to be ready. And if 2026 goes the way Philadelphia hopes, this group could end up making a lot more noise than backup usually does.
In Other News...
Eagles Quietly Fixed A Week 1 Problem Fans Remember Too Well
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Mundt joins a tight end room that still has Dallas Goedert as the biggest receiving threat, along with E.J. Jenkins and rookie Eli Stowers, giving the Eagles a blend of roles as they get ready for Washington in Week 1. The move does not change the identity of the group, but it does suggest the staff is serious about cleaning up a part of the offense fans noticed last year, even if the bigger questions around usage and matchups are still waiting to be answered. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Have A Camp Battle Fans Should Feel Better About
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Drew Kendall and Willie Lampkin have been the most visible parts of that battle, each showing enough at guard to make a real case for playing time. Both have also contributed heavily in preseason action, and offensive line coach Chris Kuper has pointed to their progress and consistency throughout camp, which is exactly the kind of development the Eagles want to see before the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Home Opener Could Mean More Than Fans Realize
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Goedert is playing on a one-year deal, with Eli Stowers waiting in the wings as a possible successor, while Johnson is viewed as someone who may be nearing the finish line of his career. Both have been central figures for the Eagles and have helped deliver two Super Bowl rings, which makes the possibility of this being their last home opener at Lincoln Financial Field feel like more than just another early-September game. [Read more 🡒]