NFL Draft: Eagles Projected to Bolster League-Leading O-Line at No. 10
With the NFL Draft on Thursday, there is a growing thought the Philadelphia Eagles could use the No. 10 overall pick to improve upon the team's best group.
"The Eagles fielded the NFL's only offensive line last season to earn 80.0-plus grades both in pass blocking and run blocking," says Pro Football Focus. "With the 10th overall pick, it looks like they'll try to make it even more dominant."
PFF speculates either Northwestern's Peter Skoronski or Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. could be an offensive tackle added in the top 10 of this year's first round by Philadelphia saying, "Either could start at right guard before eventually taking over for Lane Johnson at right tackle."
While the move wouldn't be the sexiest of NFL Draft selections, it would certainly help the Eagles address a big need after guard Isaac Seumalo departed on a three-year contract to join the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
Seumalo had spent all seven of his pro seasons with Philadelphia after being drafted by the team in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Currently, if the Eagles don't find a replacement in this year's class, 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens could be moved into that slot to try and replace Seumalo, who started every game last season including the playoffs.
Jurgens, meanwhile, played just 35 offensive snaps for Philadelphia in his rookie season and no more than 11 in any single contest.
Looking toward the future, Johnson will turn 33 years old before the new season begins. While he's under contract through 2027, it's not likely the All-Pro tackle will get through that stretch unscathed.
Having the plan to replace Johnson full-time down the road is an added bonus, but the immediate payoff in this idea is the offensive line reinforcement the Eagles get to help protect $250 million quarterback Jalen Hurts.
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