The Philadelphia Eagles are set to finalize their 53-man roster within the next 24 hours, and there are some fascinating decisions to be made across this roster. There are a few spots where I think the Eagles go in a different direction than the overall expectation. Let’s break it all down position by position.

Quarterback and running back

Starting at quarterback, I think the Eagles keep Tanner McKee as the backup. He’s just better than Andy Dalton at this point, even though he still doesn’t look great. Cole Payton hopefully can continue to develop. He’s a lefty, which is unusual in today’s NFL, but they drafted him for a reason, and you have to let that play out.

The running back room is where things get curious. I agree that Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley are locks. But I think Carson Steele has done enough to earn a roster spot. In the last two preseason games, he’s shown that he’s not a guy you can just let walk through waivers. Somebody will pick him up. Even trying to sneak him onto the practice squad feels like a waste of talent. Steele can function as a fullback or lead blocker, whatever you want to call it. He has a role on this team.

Receivers and tight ends

At receiver, NBC Sports’ Dave Zangaro has DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, and Darius Cooper. I think Elijah Moore makes this team too. There was a reason he didn’t suit up last week, and I think the Eagles are going to need that receiver depth. Lemon looked rough last night, Cooper is still newer to the system. Hollywood Brown has already made the roster because of his $5 million guarantee, but he’s still somewhat of an unknown. You need that extra body, and Moore provides it.

Tight end is where things get sticky. We talked the other day about Zach Ertz, and I still think you need to bring him back. Dallas Goedert is the clear starter, but how confident are you in Johnny Mundt behind him? They don’t even have Grant Calcaterra making the team. Eli Stowers is headed to injured reserve with that hamstring. And Cam Latu, I’m not sure he makes the final cut. If you want to keep Carson Steele as that lead blocker and you believe he brings more value in other areas, it might come down to Steele over Latu. That’s how I see it shaking out.

Offensive line and defensive front

The offensive line list looks solid. Jake Majors has had a good summer and could make the roster, but I think Fred Johnson ends up on the 53 given all the injury concerns and scares we’ve seen over the last couple of years. Without those health worries, Fred might even get cut because of how well Markel Bell, Willie Lampkin, Micah Morris, and Drew Kendall have played. The depth has been really good this preseason, but Philadelphia needs as many bodies as possible up front. A lot of these guys will end up on the practice squad anyway.

On the defensive interior and at edge rusher, the lists are pretty solid. Ty Robinson has done enough to earn a spot. And I think Uar Bernard and Josh Weru have shown enough potential for the Eagles to want to keep them. Other teams would jump on the opportunity to claim either one. They may not play meaningful snaps this season, but both will be on this roster because the Eagles cannot afford to lose them. Keyshawn James-Newby missed time this summer with an injury but had a solid showing last night.

Rest of the defense and specialists

Linebacker is a bit of a toss-up at the back end. Zangaro has Smael Mondon and Chance Campbell as the final two, but Deontae Lawson, an undrafted free agent, could sneak in depending on what Vic Fangio sees. Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. are the locks.

At cornerback, I would not keep Kelee Ringo. I know the argument is strictly special teams, but he just frustrates me. JaKorian Bennett is probably a cut. Haven’t heard much about him all summer. Sean Wade was playing well, but Zangaro has him getting released too. Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean, and Jonathan Jones form a strong group, and Mac McWilliams has done enough to be in the conversation, though he’s still on the bubble.

Safety is where it gets thin. Zangaro only has three making the roster, but I think Cole Wisniewski has a legitimate chance to stick. He hasn’t played a lot because of injury, but he’s a seventh-round pick and the Eagles need safety depth, especially after Andre Sam suffered a devastating injury last night. If Wisniewski doesn’t make it outright, maybe he lands on the practice squad. The specialists are all set.