Eagles Armchair: Offensive Line Offseason Preview

The most comprehensive weekly look at the Philadelphia Eagles on the internet.

With 10 weeks until the official start of the 2016 NFL calendar, I will preview each of the 10 position groups in preparation for the start of free agency and the NFL draft.

First up, the offensive line.

POSITIONAL PREVIEW

WHO’S HERE

Starters: Jason Peters, Allen Barbre, Jason Kelce, Matt Tobin, Lane Johnson

Bench Guys: Josh Andrews, Tanner Hawkinson, Barrett Jones, Dennis Kelly

Practice Squad/Injured Reserve: Brett Boyko, Malcolm Bunche, Andrew Gardner, David Molk

WHO STAYS

As of right now, both Kelce and Johnson are the only locks to make the 53-man roster next season, barring injury. The pair are the lone young, talented linemen on the team and should be suiting up in midnight green for a long time.

Barbre and Gardner are decent depth pieces and could stick around as the top options off the bench next season, while Bunche and Boyko both spent the year on the practice squad and were given futures contracts. After a year of seasoning, the pair of undrafted free agents should get a shot at a roster spot in training camp.

Jones was an Outland and Rimington Trophy winner in college and was a fourth round pick in 2013. He has potential, maybe a fresh start can unlock it.

WHO GOES

Peters was the big name omitted in the previous category and his status is up in the air. On one hand, he is a perennial Pro Bowler who can still play left tackle as well as anyone in the NFL. But on the other hand, he is 34-years-old, coming off a season where he missed six games and is owed over $9 million next season. If the Eagles are unable to restructure his contract, he could be handed his walking papers.

The rest of the group are fringe NFL players who can be easily replaced by younger, cheaper options. Expect a lot of turnover in this group that struggled all season.

WHO’S AVAILABLE

Draft: With the 13th overall pick in the draft, the Eagles find themselves in a prime spot to pick up another offensive tackle they can pair with Johnson for the long haul. Both Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley should be off the board before the Eagles pick, but Taylor Decker from Ohio State will be available and he has experience at both tackle spots, giving the Eagles versatility.

As far as guards are concerned, there aren’t any worthy of a top pick, but the Eagles could target one with one of their third round selections. And, depending on what happens with the Peters situation, the Eagles could stash a tackle at guard until the All Pro is ready to move on, because it is clear he is not willing to change positions.

Free Agents: Cordy Glenn from the Buffalo Bills and the Seahawks Russell Okung are the top available tackles and both should be well out of the Eagles price range. Expect them to fill out their depth at tackle with guys who are already on the roster.

Alex Boone will be the top interior lineman available on the free agent market, and considering that his current team, the 49ers, are an absolute dumpster fire, he will hit the free market. Once again, I doubt the Eagles go after another top-of-the-market guy after they struck out with both Byron Maxwell and DeMarco Murray last season.

Howie Roseman and company may wait a bit and use free agency as a way to fill any gaping holes left after the draft. Expect them to hit the offensive line hard after two years of neglect.

DID YOU KNOW?

In nine of his 14 drafts as Eagles head coach, Andy Reid drafted multiple offensive linemen. In all, Reid drafted 25 offensive linemen, of whom, 14 started at least 16 games in their career. For all his faults and shortcomings as a coach, Reid understood the necessity of having bodies in the trenches who could step up at a moments notice and hold down the line of scrimmage.

The Eagles had the best offensive line in Chip Kelly’s first year, but age and injuries decimated the unit in 2014 and 2015. However, the team never had anyone capable of stepping in off the bench and thriving. Guys like Tobin and Kelly performed admirably, considering their skill level, but on a decent football team, they cannot be the first option off the bench. Injuries happen, the Eagles must be prepared for them.

SECTION 140

After watching what Joey Porter did on Saturday night, I have one question: Why is anyone other than the head coach allowed on the field when there isn’t a timeout? Seriously, what good does it do for your team when the assistant to the linebackers coach is allowed on the middle of the field between snaps during the last two minutes of a playoff game?

But, if there isn’t some sort of rule change, Sheil’s idea is a good one.

You like that?

I don’t understand what a team looking to win a Super Bowl is doing messing around with a 70-year-old coach, but Coughlin would be a good guy to have around the team to help jump start the Eagles rebuild. If the Eagles have an heir apparent, such as Ben McAdoo – who they would have a hard time prying from the Giants – it makes sense. If Coughlin is the guy for the long haul, that will be a head-scratching move.

Next: Caplan Provides Insight on Chip Kelly-DeMarco Murray Meeting

PARTING THOUGHT

Watching the Bengals melt down on Saturday night made me think about the Eagles defense’s lack of attitude. Seriously, can anyone think of a big hit by an Eagle this year, legal or illegal? I can’t.

In no way am I defending Vontaze Burfict and his repeatedly dirty actions, but every defensive unit needs a little crazy in it. Brian Dawkins and Jeremiah Trotter were not only leaders for Jim Johnson‘s defense, but they were intimidating and made sure the opposition knew they couldn’t be caught with their head down or else they would pay a price.

As it’s currently constructed, the Eagles defense has talent, but guys like Fletcher Cox and Connor Barwin don’t strike fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks. Once again, the Eagles don’t need to be picking up unnecessary roughness penalties on every series, but having a player roaming the field with reckless abandon, ready to lay the smack down on an offensive player can go a long way toward improving this unit.