Eagles Draft Preview: Ranking Top Interior O-Lineman; Future Jason Kelce Replacement?

It feels like the Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up to reinforce a strength by the end of Day 2.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t ostensibly looking for an interior offensive lineman in the draft later this month but as a core foundational piece to their DNA, the offensive line can never be dismissed when it comes to general manager Howie Roseman.

The interior of the offensive line remains a strength despite losing Pro Bowl alternate Isaac Seumalo to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency.

All-Pro center Jason Kelce is returning for a 13th season en route to Canton while his latest heir apparent, 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens, is tentatively set to slide over to right guard to replace Seumalo. At left guard is the stout Landon Dickerson, who made his first Pro Bowl in just his second season.

The depth isn’t what it once was with Jurgens kicking up to the starting lineup, Andre Dillard, who finally took to some cross-training at left guard last season, left for an opportunity be the left tackle in Tennessee, and Josh Sills, who had guard/tackle versatility was lost to the Commissioner’s Exempt List and some ugly legal difficulties.

Jurgens would remain Kelce’s top backup even if he starts at right guard followed by Brett Toth, who can play all five positions on the o-line in a pinch, Cameron Tom. The top backups at guard are Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta with Julian Good-Jones back on a futures deal.

DRAFT DAY BOTTOM LINE: The Eagles aren’t about to take an interior offensive lineman by trade in Round 1 but there is a real possibility that they could draft a Paris Johnson or Peter Skoronski at No. 10 overall and start them out at right guard before planning to kick them out to right tackle when All-Pro Lane Johnson retires. Absent that you’re likely looking at a Day 2 piece with guard/tackle versatility like Driscoll for well-regarded offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

EAGLES IOL DEPTH CHART:

OC - Jason Kelce; (Cam Jurgens); Brett Toth; Cameron Tom

RG - Cam Jurgens; Jack Driscoll; Julian Good-Jones

LG - Landon Dickerson; Sua Opeta

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

OGs

1. Peter Skoranski, Northwestern (many project him at OT)

2. O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida

3. Cody Mauch, North Dakota State

4. Steve Avila, TCU

5. Chandler Avala, North Carolina State

6. Emil Ekiyor, Alabama

7. Anthony Bradford, LSU

8. Jordan McFadden, Clemson

9. Nick Broeker, Ole Miss

10. Sidey Sow - Eastern Michigan

Sleeper - Mark Evans - Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Boom or Bust - Cody Mauch, North Dakota State

OCs

1. John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

2. Joe Tippman, Wisconsin

3. Luke Wypler, Ohio State

4. Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas

5. Juice Scruggs, Penn State

6. Alex Forsyth, Oregon

7. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame

8. Olu Oluwatimi, Michigan

9. Alan Ali, TCU

10. Trevor Downing, Iowa State

Sleeper - Jake Andrews, Troy

Boom or Bust - Luke Wypler, Ohio State

BUILDING THE PERFECT IOL

Run blocking - O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida - Torrence is all power with huge hands to rag-doll defensive linemen into submission.

Pass blocking - Alex Forsyth, Oregon - He handled Jalen Carter in college so that tells you Forsyth can mirror.

Finisher - John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota - Schmitz might follow you home to get his block.

Downfield Blocking - Joe Tippman, Wisconsin - Tippman was Kelce-like at times on the second level at Wisconsin and has the athletic ability to translate.

Technique - Peter Skoranski, Northwestern - Skoranski is perhaps the most NFL-ready player in the draft. He’s a teach-tape guy for coaches.

PRE-DRAFT PROCESS NOTES:

-The Eagles have done their homework on Johnson and Skoranki with top-30 visits. The team also brought in Andrew Bradford and Braeden Daniels of Utah, who has guard/tackle versatility so it’s pretty clear they want to add here by the end of Day 2.

Eagles Potential Picks:

Day 1 - Paris Johnson, Peter Skoranski

-Both Johnson and Skoranski are in the mix at No. 10 overall for the Eagles if things break right, the latter of which may be a little more palatable with a small move back,

Day 2 - Andrew Bradford, Braeden Daniels

-If 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.

Day 3 - None

-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