Offensive Line is always going to be a need for the Eagles. And this year Offensive Tackle, specifically Right tackle, sticks out as something the Eagles will target in one of the earlier rounds.
Lane Johnson will be 34 when the season starts. They do have to start thinking about who will eventually replace him. He has said he has two good years left in him. Howie has talked about how he likes the draft guys ahead of time, so they can learn from the best before they take the field. They also need depth behind him in case he gets hurt.
Is it their biggest need? I don’t think so. And if they spent a 1st on someone who would sit behind him for 2 seasons as a redshirt, I would be pretty disappointed. Planning ahead is smart, but in the 1st round, you can find guys capable of starting and contributing right away. And this team has so many immediate needs that it feels like a poor use of resources.
Howie Roseman Loves Drafting Offensive Line:
That said, Offensive Tackle is definitely in play. The only position Howie has drafted more than O-Line is D-Line. Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Landon Dickerson, Jordan Mailata, Cam Jurgens, Danny Watkins, and Jason Kelece, among many other names, have all been drafted since Howie was named GM. Obviously with varying degrees of success.
Plus that future RT could maybe play RG for a couple of seasons, before eventually replacing Lane Johnson. Tyler Steen is promising, but not exactly a sure thing. they may look at him more as a backup, or swing guy.
You Can Check Out More Draft Content Below:
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- We Simulated The Eagles Draft 10,000 Times, Here Are The Results
So What Offensive Tackles Should We Look Out For In The Draft? Here Are 7 Names to Keep An Eye On:
Taliese Fuaga- Oregon State
Zero sacks. In 1,565 Pass Block Snaps across 3 seasons, Fuaga allowed 0 sacks. He only allowed 5 QB hits, and 18 hurries too. That is elite production. Reminiscent of what Penei Sewell did in College. And the scary thing, is many scouts think he is even better as a run blocker.
The best part, many believe he can play either Tackle or Guard. So he could feasibly play 2 years at RG, then slide over whenever Lane Johnson retires.
Troy Fautanu- Washington
We know the Eagles love OL who stand out as elite athletes for their position. Even if they are a bit raw in terms of technique or skill. It was the exact description of Lane Johnson coming out of college, and Troy Fautanu also fits that mold.
Fautanu allowed 3 sacks in 1,332 pass block snaps. Pretty elite production. The run blocking still needs some work though.
He played some guard in College, but mostly he was at LT. Still, like Fuaga, scouts think he could be a fit inside and outside, which fits the Eagles’ specific needs well.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu- Penn State
In two years as a starter, Fashanu allowed 1 QB hit. It should be said he has far fewer pass block snaps than either of the previous guys have to this point, 733 compared to the other guys who both have over 1,300. But he may have the highest upside of OLinemen not named Joe Alt in this draft.
He is already an elite pass blocker, and with some better technique he could grow into an elite run blocker.
He likely wont be even in striking range for the Eagles. It is also not clear how he fits as a guard. His name as barely been attached to the Eagles, and that is probably for a good reason. But he is a name to know just in case.
JC Latham- Alabama
Latham is a name to watch for the Eagles. He started his career as a guard, before moving over to RT.
Like Fautanu, he is a standout athlete as an O-Lineman. He is big, strong, and moves exceptionally well for his size. Exactly what the Eagles like. Like a few other guys on this list, he could play guard, and then eventually take over for Lane Johnson.
Amarius Mims- Georgia
There is a lot to like about Mims as a prospect. He allowed 0 sacks in college, albeit in a very small sample size. He is the least polished of all the OT prospects, but he also perhaps has the highest ceiling.
The problem from an Eagles perspective is that he is pretty much only a tackle. If he somehow fell to pick 50, it would be a different scenario. But it would be hard to justify spending this 1st on a guy who won’t play for 2 years, especially when there are other Tackles who can play Guard in the meantime.
Tyler Guyton- Oklahoma
Another guy who fits the mold of being an elite athlete, but being very raw technique wise is Tyler Guyton. He has a lot to work on. But his athletic profile is as good as it gets. He is a converted Edge rusher, and that shows with how he moves on the field.
He mostly only played RT in College, but with his power and mobility, he should be able to slide inside as well for the time being.
Kingsley Suamataia- BYU
Now if you want someone on day 2, who can develop behind Lane Johnson, Kingsley might be the guy.
Like Guyton, he has a lot to work on. He has exceptional athletic traits, but is inexperienced and in need of being coached up.
I would hate spending a 1st round pick on someone who sits for two years. But at one of the 2nd round picks, if they took someone with crazy upside, who would benefit from sitting at the start of his career anyway, that could make sense.
Kingsley would be able to learn from the best. Not just Lane Johnson, but also Jeff Stoutland. And if he lives up to his potential, he could step in and carry on Lane’s legacy of elite RT play.
