Eagles Draft Preview: The Offensive Tackles; Potential Pick at No. 10?

A strength on paper with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, don't sleep on offensive tackle at the top of the NFL Draft for the Eagles.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles are in the conversation for having the best offensive tackle duo in the NFL with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. However, there is a good chance that the organization chooses an offensive tackle if it stays at No. 10 overall during the NFL Draft next Thursday.

That might seem like a contradiction unless you are tuned into the Eagles’ foundational philosophies in which building up the lines on both sides of the football is second in importance only to the quarterback position.

Add in that potential future Hall of Famer Lane Johnson will turn 33 in early May and has started to contemplate the end game when it comes to retirement and you have the formula for the rare top-of-the-draft-luxury pick in place.

From there, you can further factor in that Philadelphia lost Pro Bowl alternate right guard Isaac Seumalo to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency and the two top prospects in the equation – Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. and Northwestern’s Peter Skoranski – both have guard/tackle versatility and you have the perfect storm of short-term and long-term.

The Eagles could be able to generate the value a top-tier pick must generate with playing time early inside at offensive guard before kicking them out when Johnson, a player Nick Sirianni has consistently called the best right tackle in the world, does decide to call it a career.

For now, Johnson remains spectacular on the right side and is in the midst of an awe-inspiring stretch in which he hasn’t allowed a sack since Week 11 of the 2020 season.

Mailata, a physical freak who well-regarded offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland developed from football novice into a star left tackle, was actually beating himself up at times for his play in 2022-23 which slipped a bit due to playing through a painful shoulder injury suffered early in the season.

By the playoffs, however, Mailata, a former rugby player in his native Australia, had gotten a lot of his strength and range of motion back and started to play lights out.

The Eagles' depth took a hit when 2019 first-round pick Andre Dillard left for the opportunity to start in Tennessee but Jack Driscoll, a natural right tackle, proved he could handle the swing position when forced into action at left tackle since both Mailata and Dillard weren’t available last season.

It’s hard to replicate depth like Dillard and that scenario only unfolded because Mailata hit as a developmental project just as Dillard was trying to fight through injuries and confidence problems. Driscoll is the more typical version of NFL depth as a competent player in short bursts.

The developmental projects on hand are size/trait options Fred Johnson, Roderick Johnson, and Jarrid Williams.

DRAFT DAY BOTTOM LINE: The thought around the league is that GM Howie Roseman would like to get one of the top three defensive difference-makers in the draft – Alabama’s Will Anderson, Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, or Georgia’s Jalen Carter – but would have to trade up to do it.

If forced to stand pat, Johnson could be the leader in the clubhouse if sitting there at No. 10.

EAGLES OT DEPTH CHART:

LT - Jordan Mailata; Jack Driscoll; Fred Johnson; Roderick Johnson

RT - Lane Johnson; Jack Driscoll; Jarrid Williams

EAGLES TODAY TOP 10 (we asked three former NFL scouts for their top 10 at the position and came up with a cumulative list):

1. Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State

2. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

3. Broderick Jones, Georgia

4. Darnell Wright, Tennessee

5. Dawand Jones, Ohio State

6. Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse

7. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma

8. Anthony Bradford, LSU

9. Tyler Steen, Alabama

10. Braeden Daniels, Utah

Sleeper - Jake Witt, Northern Michigan

Boom or Bust - Dawand Jones, Ohio State

BUILDING THE PERFECT OT

Run blocking - Dawand Jones, Ohio State - A 375-pound mountain of a man, Jones could probably move a mountain if he needed to.

Pass blocking -Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State - Johnson made an easy transition from right guard to left tackle with the Buckeyes with the natural mirroring skills to keep edge rushers frustrated.

Finisher - Pete Skoronski, Northwestern - Skoranski is so fundamentally sound you know he’s playing to the whistle.

Downfield Blocking - Braeden Daniels, Utah - Daniels, who could also factor in at guard for many teams, is undersized and that can hurt when he’s anchoring but he can get to the second level like few others.

Technique - Peter Skoronski, Northwestern - As mentioned in our interior offensive line preview Skoranski is perhaps the most NFL-ready player in the draft. He would quickly become a teach-tape guy for Sirianni.

PRE-DRAFT PROCESS NOTES:

- The Eagles spent a lot of time on potential offensive tackles despite an impressive trio of Johnson, Mailata, and Driscoll. Both Johnson and Skoronski were in on top-30 visits and the Eagles have also done their homework on Andrew Bradford of LSU and Daniels of Utah, who have guard/tackle versatility.

Wayna Morris of Oklahoma is an early Day 3 option who may get a look if the Eagles add picks and Jake Witt of Northern Michigan may be a late-round developmental project for Stoutland.

Eagles Potential Picks:

Day 1 - Paris Johnson, Peter Skoronski

-Both Johnson and Skoronski are in the mix at No. 10 overall for the Eagles if things break right with Johnson the clear leader if available.

Day 2 - Andrew Bradford, Braeden Daniels

-I f the Eagles don’t add to the offensive line on Day 1, expect one on Friday with guard/tackle versatility and Daniels may be the surprise. He’s got the athleticism that could flourish in the Eagles’ system.

Day 3 - Wayna Morris, Oklahoma; Jake Witt Northern Michigan

-Typically the Eagles like to give Stoutland a developmental prospect he likes but if they add a more significant piece on Days 1 or 2, the numbers aren’t there for Day 3 unless Roseman adds to the team’s draft capital.

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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen