A Look at What the Eagles O-Line Could Look Like in 2021
The Philadelphia Eagles offensive line was a total mess in 2020. With 13 different line combinations in 16 games, including multiple players tabbed to protect Carson Wentz's blindside, the Eagles certainly need to fix their offensive line in 2021.
The most important spot on that line is the left tackle position, and there should be a very interesting training camp battle for that position in training camp.
One name Eagles fans never saw action this season was 2019 first-round pick Andre Dillard.
The 22nd pick of the 2019 draft missed the entire season after suffering torn biceps, forcing veteran Jason Peters to start six games, 2018 seventh-round pick Jordan Mailata started nine and Matt Pryor started the season finale.
With Peters almost certainly gone the likely training camp battle will be between Dillard and Mailata.
So who gets the nod their in 2021? There are seemingly three options.
1. Dillard wins the job
2. Mailata wins the job.
3. The team drafts a left tackle who wins the job
So what what is the most likely scenario?
"I think they will go into the OTA's thinking that its Jordan Mailata's job to lose," said Geoff Mosher co-host of the Inside the Birds Podcast during Football at Four on The Sports Bash.
"But they would love for Andre Dillard to go and take it," Mosher added.
Another possible scenario for 2021 is the team might need a new center. While Jason Kelce hasn't made any announcement on his future, there has been constant speculation that he could call it quits.
If Kelce were to call it a career, who would replace him?
"I think if Kelce retires, the inclination would be to move Seumalo to center and then fill left guard," Mosher predicted. I know that when they drafted Jack Driscoll, and even though they started him at tackle, they felt he had the athleticism to play guard."
Mosher also mentioned that Nate Herbig could be an option to play either center or left guard in 2021 if Kelce ends up retiring.
So lets look at the line in two ways, with and without Kelce.
LT - Dillard vs Mailata
LG - Driscoll
C - Seumalo
RG - Brandon Brooks
RT - Lane Johnson
LT - Dillard vs Mailata
LG - Seumalo
C - Kelce
RG - Brooks
RT - Johnson
I think this line is good enough to win with, or at least allow you to focus on the other areas of need with pick No. 6. So I would roll with this group, and focus on taking either a defensive standout, a wide receiver or trade the pick and add more assets.
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