Adding to the OL

Posted: April 17th, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 2 Comments »

The Eagles had the best offensive line in football last year. They lost a starter and key backup from that group, but they’re set to once again have an outstanding OL. They draft, develop and build as well as any team in the league.

The projected lineup:

LT Jordan Mailata
LG Landon Dickerson
OC Jason Kelce
RG Cam Jurgens
RT Lane Johnson

Key backups:

OT Jack Driscoll
OG Sua Opeta

The Eagles need to find two or three additional linemen to add to that group. Brett Toth could win a spot, but he’s far from a lock. The Eagles don’t need to add blockers in the first round. They’ve been able to find good players early, middle and late in the draft. They’ve even had success with UDFAs.

I think the only reason to spend a first round pick would be to secure an OT who could take over for Lane Johnson down the road. That might seem wasteful, taking a player who won’t be needed for a year or two. But that is the value of an OT. Andre Dillard only started a handful of games for the Eagles, but got $10M a year in free agency. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson led the league in INTs and got $6.5M. Teams are desperate for good OT help.

If the Eagles believe in one of the OT prospects, they could take him at 10. They could also target someone at 30. They’ll have options. With a pair of good starters and a good backup, the Eagles are in the envious spot of having flexibility. They could take a mid-round player who might need a little work. They could also take a late rounder and see if they can develop that player.

The team could go for a T/G tweener, with the idea of that player taking over RG when Jurgens moves to the middle. There are interesting options who fit this.

They could also go for a OG prospect they like. There are some really talented options.

This isn’t a case of the Eagles needing to do this or that. They can focus more on the individual players. Who do they really like and want to bring on board? What’s the best use of draft resources. You can bet Howie Roseman has ideas and that he’s talked a lot with the scouts and Jeff Stoutland to figure out the best strategy. Part of what they do will be choice. Part will be circumstantial.

If Jalen Carter drops to 10, they might nab him and forget OT. If the Bears take the OT they like at 9, the Eagles might have to shift to the DL or CB. This is a tricky year to have a high pick because of the QB situation and Carter. You know two QBs will go early. There could be as many as four. Carter could go as high as 5th overall or he could slide. The Eagles have an idea of what they think will happen, but there are some new GMs and/or coaches picking ahead of them and that makes it tough to read the tea leaves.

The Eagles have a great QB. That’s the hard part. Finding good blockers for Jalen Hurts and keeing him healthy is the next order of business. The OL is basically set for now, but backups and players to develop for the future are needed. It will be interesting to see who the Eagles take and when they get them.

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I know several of you do not like the thought of taking Peter Skoronski at 10. I get the arguments. He’s only 6-4 and his arms are 32 1/4 inches. That’s not ideal for an OT. You would prefer 6-6 with 35-inch arms. Some people think Skoronski will move to OG in the NFL.

I think he will get a shot to play LT. Skoronski is the top OL prospect in the draft. That’s not a PR campaign by his agent. This isn’t just a media narrative. Skoronski is an outstanding player. He will be a high pick because of his talent and performance. You can dislike the thought of taking him at 10, but too many people act as if he’s some mediocre player that has no business going early. That’s just not the case.

His footwork, balance, hand usage, strength…just outstanding. That is a really talented play who has a bright future. He’s not my ideal choice at 10, but if the team does take him, I would certainly understand. He looks like someone who could start in the NFL for a decade. He’s not a project. He’s a stud. Wouldn’t shock me at all for the Bears to take him at 9.

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If the Eagles want a project late in the draft, Northern Michigan OT Jake Witt could make sense. Eagles blogger Anthony DiBona did a recent interview with Witt.

Witt has minimal OT experience so he is raw. Not as much as Mailata was, but somewhat similar. Witt’s first love was basketball. He realized in college that football was his better option and went that way. He started off at TE and then moved to OT.

It would be interesting to see if Stoutland could find another starting OL late in the draft. Witt will likely go in the sixth or seventh round. Lots of potential, but needs a lot of work.

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Here are some quick thoughts on players we haven’t talked much about.

McClendon Curtis is 6-5, 331. He played OG at Tennessee-Chattanooga and then got some OT reps at the Senior Bowl. I could see Stoutland having interest in this guy due to his size, physicality and potential.

https://twitter.com/TheSFNiners/status/1646631269860802560

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Chandler Zavala from NC State is 6-4, 316. He put on a show at his Pro Day and has the combination of size and athleticism the Eagles tend to love.

Fun player to watch.

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Jon Gaines of UCLA is one of the most versatile blockers in the class. He’s 6-4, 314 and played G, C and even some OT for the Bruins. I really enjoyed his tape when playing center. He spent most of his time at OG.

That’s from the Shrine Game. He started some at center earlier in his career.

If the Eagles want a versatile backup, Gaines should be someone of real interest.

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2 Comments on “Adding to the OL”

  1. 1 Eagles information: Philadelphia is 'actually top as Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean' input sophomores - starkedsf said at 3:00 PM on April 17th, 2023:

    […] Addition to OL – Iggles BlitzThe Eagles want to to find two or 3 further linemen so as to add to that staff. Brit Toth may just win a spot, however he is some distance from a lock. The Eagles don’t want to upload blockers within the first around. They have got been ready to search out just right avid gamers early, center, and overdue within the draft. They have got even had good fortune with UDFAs. I believe the one explanation why to spend a first-round pick out is to protected an OT that may take over for Lyn Johnson down the street. This will look like a waste to a participant who may not be wanted for a 12 months or two. However that is the price of OT. Andre Dillard has began a handful of video games for the Eagles, however he is earned $10 million a 12 months in unfastened company. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson led the league in INTs and earned $6.5 million. Groups are in dire want of excellent OT assist. If the Eagles imagine in a long term risk, they are able to take him in at 10 o’clock. They are able to additionally goal an individual over the age of 30. They are going to have choices. With a couple of excellent starters and a just right backup, the Eagles are within the resentful place in their flexibility. They are able to take a participant in the course of the around who may want somewhat paintings. They are able to additionally take a overdue around and spot if they are able to broaden that participant. […]

  2. 2 Eagles News: Philadelphia is “really high on where Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean are” entering Year 2 - Camel News said at 2:08 AM on April 18th, 2023:

    […] Adding to the OL – Iggles BlitzThe Eagles want to seek out two or three extra linemen so as to add to that group. Brett Toth might win a spot, however he’s removed from a lock. The Eagles don’t want so as to add blockers within the first spherical. They’ve been capable of finding good gamers early, center and late within the draft. They’ve even had success with UDFAs. I believe the one purpose to spend a primary spherical decide could be to safe an OT who might take over for Lane Johnson down the highway. Which may appear wasteful, taking a participant who gained’t be wanted for a 12 months or two. However that is the worth of an OT. Andre Dillard solely began a handful of video games for the Eagles, however received $10M a 12 months in free company. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson led the league in INTs and received $6.5M. Groups are determined for good OT assist. If the Eagles imagine in one of many OT prospects, they may take him at 10. They may additionally goal somebody at 30. They’ll have choices. With a pair of fine starters and a great backup, the Eagles are within the envious spot of getting flexibility. They may take a mid-round participant who may want a little bit work. They may additionally take a late rounder and see if they will develop that participant. […]