As the 2023 NFL Draft approaches, we’re taking a look at each position on both sides of the ball to find some options for the Eagles during the three-day event. We’ve already covered LB, CB, DT, edge, S, RB, WR, QB, and TE.
The Eagles are pretty much done with Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson as their quarterback tackles entering the 2023 season. But Johnson will turn 33 next month. On top of that, the Eagles lost Andre Dillard in free agency, which leaves them with some light in the depth department. Their best backup right now is Jack Driscoll. While the Eagles were very healthy in 2022, they can’t count on that type of injury luck.
And remember, the Eagles drafted Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens in back-to-back seasons in the second round with no immediate plan to play against them. The Eagles have no problem stockpiling good offensive linemen.
Level of need: Medium
Here’s a reminder of the Eagles’ six picks in this draft:
1-10
1-30
2-62
3-94
7-219
7-248
And here are some options for offensive approaches in the project:
First round picks
Parris Johnson Jr., Ohio State (6-6, 313): If the Eagles select an offensive lineman with the No. 10 pick, the most obvious choice would be Johnson. He’s the best pure player in this draft class, but he played the entire 2021 season at right guard before moving to left guard in 2022. So the Eagles could select their eventual replacement, Lane Johnson, and then play him until Johnson for a year or two on guard as he learned.
Broderick Jones, Georgia (6-4, 311): Jones was a full-time starter for just one full season at Georgia, but is an impressive athlete with an extremely high ceiling. He has room to grow, but Jones is a great athlete who had a really impressive combine.
Darnell Wright, Tennessee (6-5, 333): The other top first-round option is Wright, who could come off the board between the Eagles’ two selections as it stands now. But things can change. Wright is a big, feisty player who played both sides of center in his college career, which is perfect for a team like the Eagles who may need him to fill the swing position early in his career. Wright also had a strong performance at this year’s Senior Bowl.
Mid round options
Anton Harrison, Oklahoma (6-4, 315): The Eagles struck gold once with a lineman from Oklahoma in 2013 when they drafted Lane Johnson, so maybe it’s time to go back to the Sooners for his eventual replacement. Harrison was the starting left tackle at Oklahoma the past two seasons. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s pretty athletic.
Dawand Jones, Ohio State (6-8, 374): Johnson was the Buckeyes’ left tackle last season and Jones was their right tackle. He was the incumbent for two years in this position. No, these are not typos in Jones’ measurements; it is huge and has a wingspan of almost 88 inches. He will need to manage his weight in the NFL to maintain enough athleticism.
Asim Richards, North Carolina (6-4, 309): A local kid, Richards played football at The Haverford School before heading to UNC. Richards was a three-year starter at left guard for the Tar Heels.
Wanya Morris, Oklahoma (6-5, 307): Yes, we had several pairs of tactics from the same school. Morris was a right tackle at Oklahoma but played left tackle at Tennessee, so he has played on both sides of the line. He has ideal size and athleticism to be developed by a good O-line coach in the NFL; the Eagles are rumored to have a pretty good one.
late sleeper(s)
Earl Bostick Jr., Kansas (6-6, 309): Bostick is an older prospect. He’s now 24, but that’s because he started his career at Kansas as a tight end and didn’t switch to an offensive tackle until a few years ago. So, as you’d expect, Bostick offers plenty of athleticism, but he’s still developing. But the specs are worth a late-round pick.
Jake Witt, Northern Michigan (6-7, 302): Like Bostick, Vitt is a developmental prospect. Witt began his college career at Michigan Tech playing basketball, but eventually transferred to Northern Michigan as a tight end before eventually becoming a punter. He was a full-time starter for just one season at the Division II level. He’s obviously raw, but it’s never a bad idea to take a trait flyer late in the draft or at this UDFA phase.
Subscribe to the Eagle Eye Podcast
Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Tailor | Art19 | Watch on YouTube