Eagles roster hierarchy: Projecting offensive snap counts for 2026

The Eagles’ offensive snap distribution in 2026 should look familiar at the top, but the hierarchy behind the established stars has changed significantly after an offseason spent reshaping the quarterback room, wide receiver group, tight end depth, and offensive line competition.

QBJalen Hurts remains the foundation of the offense and should again play more than 90% of the snaps if healthy. Hurts logged 965 offensive snaps last season, accounting for 92% of the total, and there is no reason to expect that number to change much unless Philadelphia creates enough late-game separation to give its backup quarterback work. The difference is behind him, where Andy Dalton was added to compete for the No. 2 job with Tanner McKee, while Cole Payton gives the Eagles a developmental option. McKee played 89 snaps last season, and the backup quarterback total should again remain modest unless injury or game script changes the plan.

RBSaquon Barkley is still the clear lead back, but the Eagles have enough depth to reduce his workload slightly without changing his status as the offensive centerpiece. Barkley played 773 snaps last season, or 73%, and a 65% to 70% range would make sense in 2026 if Philadelphia wants to keep him fresh for December and January. Tank Bigsby should be the most likely No. 2 after playing 125 snaps last season, and his downhill style gives the Eagles a legitimate changeup. Will Shipley remains in the mix as a passing-down and rotational option, while Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele are competing for depth roles. Cameron Latu’s fullback-tight end versatility could also give Sean Mannion another way to create heavier personnel without taking Barkley off the field.

WRWide receiver is where the biggest changes begin. DeVonta Smith played 888 snaps last season, 84% of the offense, and he should push toward 85% to 90% as the clear No. 1 receiver following A.J. Brown’s trade to New England. Philadelphia rebuilt the room around him with Makai Lemon, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and Elijah Moore, creating a deeper group but also a harder snap-count puzzle. Lemon’s first-round status and explosiveness should put him on the field early, potentially in the 60% to 70% range if he proves healthy and ready. Hollywood Brown gives the offense a vertical element and could settle between 45% and 55%, while Wicks’ size, route-running, and versatility make him a strong candidate for a 35% to 45% role and potentially more if he proves to be the true No. 2. Moore’s ability to work inside and outside should keep him involved, though his weekly volume may depend on personnel groupings. Johnny Wilson, Darius Cooper, Quez Watkins, Danny Gray, Britain Covey, Samori Toure, and Erik Ezukanma are competing for the remaining receiver snaps and roster spots, with special teams likely shaping the bottom of the depth chart.

TEDallas Goedert remains the top tight end and should again land near the 65% to 70% range after playing 787 snaps last season. The Eagles added Johnny Mundt to give the offense a more physical blocking option, while rookie Eli Stowers brings long-term upside as a pass-catching tight end who could grow into a larger role as the season progresses. Grant Calcaterra played 380 snaps last year and still has receiving value, but his role could shrink if Mundt becomes the preferred TE2 in heavier packages and Stowers earns early trust. Latu, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt, and Dae’Quan Wright give the Eagles camp competition, but the top of the tight end hierarchy should run through Goedert, Mundt, Stowers, and Calcaterra.

OLThe offensive line remains the easiest area to project if the starters stay healthy. Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, and Lane Johnson should play nearly every meaningful snap when available. Steen led the offense last season with 1,009 snaps, while Mailata played 973, Dickerson played 836, and Jurgens played 801. Lane Johnson’s 450 snaps reflected availability more than role, and the Eagles will still want him on the field for every high-leverage possession. Fred Johnson remains the top swing tackle candidate after playing 626 snaps last season, while Markel Bell, Cameron Williams, Myles Hinton, John Ojukwu, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Jake Majors, Hollin Pierce, Jaeden Roberts, and Micah Morris are fighting for backup jobs across the line.

Final analysisThe likely offensive hierarchy starts with Hurts, Barkley, Smith, Goedert, and the starting offensive line as the every-week foundation. Lemon, Brown, Wicks, Bigsby, Mundt, Stowers, and Shipley should form the next tier of regular contributors, giving Mannion more flexibility than the Eagles had a year ago. The final layer will be determined by special teams, health, and role clarity, especially at wide receiver and along the offensive line.

>Philadelphia’s offense is not short on options. The challenge will be finding the right distribution around Hurts, Barkley, and Smith while keeping enough balance to maximize the new pieces. If the Eagles get that hierarchy right, the snap counts should reflect an offense that is deeper, more versatile, and less dependent on one narrow personnel grouping than it was last season.

>This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Projecting Eagles offensive snap distribution for 2026 season