Rules, order, targets, and more.

The Philadelphia Eagles trimmed their roster down to the regular season 53-man limit on Saturday afternoon but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are done with cuts just yet. The Eagles could very well make some more moves once waiver claims are revealed after 12:00 noon today on Sunday, September 2.

How it works

When a team releases a player with less than four years of service, they are subject to the waiver process. Normally when a player is released, waivers runs the next day. For roster cuts, all players run through waivers on Sunday, whether they were released on Friday or Saturday.

The process involves a priority list ranking teams for claiming players. From the first day of the league year until the conclusion of Week 3 of the 2018 regular season, the priority is based on draft order. This means that the Cleveland Browns are the No. 1 team on the waiver priority list, while the Eagles are No. 32 (because the Eagles won the Super Bowl). This means that if the Eagles want to take a shot on a young player, they have to put a claim in on him, and then cross their fingers and hope that the rest of the league does not put in a claim. Not going to be easy.

You might be used to the waiver process in your fantasy football league. The NFL waiver process is different in that the No. 1 team can claim as many players from waivers as they want, and they retain priority. The Browns essentially get first dibs on every player. They will stay in that position through Week 3 of the regular season.

Any player with at least four years of service that is released is NOT subject to the waiver process. They immediately become free agents and can sign with any team. This applies to three players the Eagles cut: Steven Means, Kamar Aiken, and Markus Wheaton.

The Eagles used the waiver wire after final cuts in 2016 but not in 2017. Philadelphia claimed Bryce Treggs, Terrence Brooks, and Kamu Grugier-Hill two years ago. Kamu is still on the team.

If the Eagles are awarded any players from waivers, they’ll need to make more cuts from their current roster to make room for the new additions.

Eagles waiver wire targets

Given that nearly 1,184 players got cut this weekend, there are a lot of available names out there. Here are just a few names of interest.

Ryan Nall — Nall signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent. He finished the 2018 preseason with 32 carries for 223 yards (7.0) average and one touchdown. His longest run was for 69 yards. Nice. Nall also had four receptions for 25 yards. If the Eagles are looking for more upside at running back than Wendell Smallwood provides, taking a shot on the 22-year-old Nall could be worth it.

Roc Thomas - Thomas played college football at Auburn and Jacksonville State before signing with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent this offseason. Thomas has modest rushing numbers in the preseason with 17 attempts for 66 yards (3.9 average). His pass-catching numbers were much more impressive; Thomas led the team in receiving with seven receptions for 129 yards and two scores. He gained 78 yards on his longest catch. Again, Thomas could be a potential Smallwood replacement if the Eagles are looking for upside.

Jonathan Williams - Another running back, but unlike Nall and Thomas, Williams has some NFL experience. The 2016 fifth-round pick was a surprise cut by the Saints. He had 31 carries for 124 yards (4.0 average) and two touchdowns in the preseason. Williams was also a surprise cut by the Bills last year. He’s still only 24-year-old so he could be worth taking a shot on.

Nico Siragusa - Siragusa (no relation to Tony) was a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in the 2017 NFL Draft. The 24-year-old offensive lineman might have more upside than Chance Warmack but who am I kidding the Eagles are going to hold on to Warmack forever.

Carl Davis - Another former Raven. Davis was a third-round by Baltimore in 2015. He started 12 games in 28 career appearances. If the Eagles are looking for more help at defensive tackle, Davis could be a name they like. I’d think they’ll stick with what they have, though.

Breshad Perriman - Another former Raven, what are the chances? The 2015 first-round pick has been a big bust for Baltimore. Perriman has 43 receptions for 576 yards and three touchdowns in 27 career games played (four starts). I’d rather the Eagles keep DeAndre Carter as their sixth reeciver but one reporter is suggesting Perriman might pique the Eagles’ interests.

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Who do you want to see the Eagles claim?