Philadelphia Eagles Draft | 6 East-West Shrine Game Targets

Erik Magnuson, OT, Michigan

Another East Team player, Magnuson is an excellent mid-round guy to fill Philadelphia’s needs. He started his Michigan career inside at guard, eventually kicking out as a two-year starter at tackle. At 6’3 303 lbs, he has the size to play either position, a skill the Eagles value tremendously. I project him as a decent starting guard at the next level, with RT abilities if necessary.

Jeff Risdon, a scout currently at St. Petersburg, has been a fan for a while:

That movement in the run game particularly makes me feel good about his transition to guard. He’s a mauler that likes to take people out, with the quickness and flexibility necessary to reach block, and the lateral speed and athleticism to pull on sweeps and tosses.

A move to guard would also mask Magnuson’s greatest weakness at tackle: inside moves. He regularly gets burned by spins and counters, lacking the necessary foot speed to recover. At guard, he’d no longer be asked to stonewall edge rushers on an island. With help on either side, he wouldn’t have to kick-slide as aggressively, minimizing the interior window that defenders know to exploit.

Given the recent rumors about Jason Kelce’s impending departure from Philly, interior line could suddenly become a pressing need. 2nd-year OL Isaac Seumalo would move to starting C, leaving 32-year-old OL Allen Barbre to start at LG. OL Stefen Wisniewski is his presumed back-up, but as an impending free-agent, the future is murky at guard for Philadelphia. Magnuson and Barbre have similar build (Barbre’s 6’4, 305 lbs) and similar abilities, in that they both can swing between guard and tackle. The second level of the Eagles’ offensive line would have Vaitai/Tobin/Magnuson at tackle and Magnuson/Tobin at guard. Once Barbre retires/gets cut, Magnuson would likely step in and start. All that remains is a back-up center, and Philadelphia’s offensive line would be set for years to come.

Projected Round: 4th