One of the biggest keys to the Philadelphia Eagles' sustained success in recent years has been the offensive line. Not only is it always loaded with talent, but their ability to turn late-round draft picks into key cogs in the unit has been incredible.
With the current iteration of the line getting up there in age and commanding some hefty contracts, the team proactively selected three O-linemen in the late rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, adding another as an undrafted free agent.
Eagles OTAs will kick off next week, giving rookies the chance to suit up alongside the veterans, but even before then Jordan Mailata has spoken out about how a couple of these youngsters have already impressed them. He may not be the one making personnel decisions in Philly, yet it's hard not to see his praise as increasing their chances to shake up the depth chart.
Jordan Maitala Praises Eagles Rookies Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams
Eagles insider Ed Kracz quotes Mailata as being impressed specifically with the effort and grind being shown by sixth-round picks Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams. Mailata says he has already been "on them a little bit," noting that they've been great about putting in the effort to correct mistakes.
Chemistry matters so much on an offensive line, and Mailata knowing first-hand what it's like to be a late-round rookie trying to break into an elite unit makes him the perfect mentor for the late-rounders.
Of course nobody is expecting either to unseat Mailata and take his job, but he doesn't take that view. He says he's told them that he wants them to take his job if they're better than him, that he won't keep them down, and that he's going to use them as motivation to get better himself.
What more could you ask for from a team captain? Keeping that kind of attitude when you're making over $20 million per year and just won the Super Bowl is not easy, and it's a testament to Mailata's leadership.
But what can fans realistically expect from Hinton and Williams?
Have the Eagles Found the Next Jordan Mailata?
Even with four sixth-round picks, it was noteworthy that the Eagles doubled down on the offensive tackle position, selecting Hinton No. 191 overall and Williams at No. 207. This is a team that doesn't need any starters, of course, but that is lacking some depth.
Behind Mailata and Lane Williams, the Eagles headed into the draft with nobody but Kendall Lamm (on a one-year contract with only $750k guaranteed) and project player Laekin Vakalahi. OTAs are around the corner, and the unit has not changed all that much. That's a clear indication that Philly is confident with Hinton and Williams as depth options already.
As far as the long-term upside of those two, it's obviously too early to know much. But it is worth noting how they both check a lot of the same boxes (and they're boxes the Eagles clearly give a lot of weight to).
Williams has that prototypical tackle size, measuring up at 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds. He mostly played right tackle in college, but some of the strengths in his NFL.com scouting report indicate some potential to develop on the left side too, noting positives with his footwork and posture in pass protection.
Hinton is even bigger, at 6-foot-7 and 323 pounds, though with slightly shorter arm length. And his athleticism probably gives him even more upside. His scouting report includes mentions of having an "elite" frame for the position as well as possessing athletic footwork.
Philly clearly has a type.
With top-tier physical traits at the position, a work ethic that is already impressing a team captain and the strong coaching and mentorship that O-linemen receive in Philadelphia, the sky is the limit for these two. You never really know how much upside a late-round pick has, but if either of these guys truly do have the potential to become starters, there is no doubt that the Eagles will unlock it.