NFCE – The Deepest Offensive line that ever was

By Cloister

THE DEEPEST OFFENSIVE LINE THAT EVER WAS

Sometimes a particular unit on an NFCE team is so stacked, an article must be devoted to it. And since the dawn of the first ever free agency, no offensive line has been deeper than the one the Philadelphia Eagles currently boast heading into the 2019 season. I make no claims that Philadelphia has the best starting 5 (though they probably do), but the Eagles’ starting quality linemen run at least 9 deep. We’ll start with their ridiculous glut of offensive tackles and then move on to the interior offensive line.

Jason Peters – starting left tackle

The future HOFer is probably 75-80% of what he once was, but that still makes him a top 10-15 left tackle in the NFL. Will he regress even more or will he be more effective than he was in 2018 being 2 years removed from a torn ACL?

Lane Johnson – starting right tackle

Best right tackle in the game. Nothing else needs to be said.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai – swing tackle

If Vaitai isn’t the best swing tackle in the game, he’s sure up there. In 2017, He filled in for an injured Jason Peters for half of the regular season and was the starting LT for the best OL that postseason, ultimately dominating the Patriots’ defensive line and winning the SB. Doug Pederson recently indicated Vaitai will cross train at guard this offseason, adding to the Eagles depth along the interior.

Andre Dillard – swing tackle

What’s better than seamlessly going from Tra Thomas to Jason Peters at left tackle? Answer: seamlessly going from Tra Thomas to Jason Peters to Andre Dillard at left tackle. The Eagles stole the best pass blocking LT prospect in the 2019 draft and can let him develop for a year if everybody stays healthy. An incredible luxury to have.

Jordan Mailata – swing tackle

Everybody’s favorite Australian rugby player turned NFL offensive tackle, Mailata is a freak of nature that never played a down of football in his life until last preseason. While it was only preseason, he looked very promising. So much so, that the Eagles couldn’t chance having him poached from their practice squad and kept him on their 53. He looks to be the Eagles swing tackle of the future once Dillard takes over for Peters and Vaitai moves on in free agency next offseason.

Brandon Brooks – right guard

Brooks is one of the best guards in the game. Unfortunately, he ruptured his Achilles during the Eagles playoff loss to the Saints last season and may not be ready to go for the start of the 2019 season. Will he be the same player post injury? We’ll find out soon enough.

Isaac Seumalo – left guard

Seumalo has had his ups and downs throughout his first 3 years with the Eagles, but played well for the majority of 2018 and solidified his starting role at left guard. He is also versatile enough to play multiple positions along the line, including RT in a pinch. Not that that will be needed this season.

Jason Kelce – center

One of, if not the best, centers in the game. His athleticism at the position is incredible to watch at times. And that speech! Easily a top 5 speech in American history. Impossible to argue.

Stefan Wisniewski – backup guard/center

The recent re-signing of Wiz really solidifies the depth of the Eagles offensive line. Why no other team appeared interested in him during this offseason is beyond me. All the versatile lineman has ever done is play well when called upon. Especially in 2017, when he replaced a struggling Isaac Seumalo and became the starting left guard of the SB Champion Eagles.

Matt Pryor – backup right tackle/guard.

Pryor is still an unknown that the team seems high on. I’m not going to waste time speculating on him, but there’s a good chance he makes the 53.