• March 19, 2024

2015 Draft Prep: Offensive Line

fiskerIn what round(s) will the Eagles address the offensive line? Unlike the 2014 draft where the positon was ignored, it’s going to be critical that talent for both the now and immediate future is found.

Herremans was cut in the off-season and rumors of Mathis being traded or cut is still up in the air. Then there is Jason Peters with probably two more quality seasons left in the tank. Sixty percent of the offensive line isn’t a repair job that happens over night, but it’s also doesn’t require the Eagles to have to take a guy in the first, second or even third round of the upcoming draft.

With how the Eagles run their offense and with a great offensive line coach, “athletes” with terrific “technique” can be successful in this system.

Looking at the state of the offensive line with the Eagles, and the talent in the draft, the Eagles could very well be looking for prospects that can begin their career at guard and make the move to tackle in the near future.

If the Eagles are going to draft offensive line in round one, my guy is La’el Collins out of LSU. I absolutely love the physicality he brings, and I could see him clearing paths and opening running holes all season long.

Fisher out of Oregon has been mentioned and has appeared in a few mock drafts, but he is not worthy of a first round grade. I think he has a similar game to current Eagle Lane Johnson, but Fisher is not as polished coming out of school.
There is depth throughout the draft at offensive line. Two guys that I feel could be long term solutions at guard can be drafted day three, Mitch Morse (Missouri) and Jamil Douglas (Arizona State).

Round 1

D.J. Humphries-Florida (Tackle)-Probably best suited to play tackle and tackle only and one of the top at his position coming out this year.

Round 2

T.J. Clemmings- Pittsburgh (Tackle)-A player who continues to learn the game and improve technique, should be solid at the NFL for years.

Jake Fisher-Oregon (Tackle/Guard)- Athletic who could start at guard ad move to tackle. With the Oregon connection he is certainly in play.

A.J. Cann-South Carolina (Guard)-Nothing that will wow you, solid in all areas.

Round 3

Ali Marpet-Hobart (Guard)- Showed power, athleticism, speed and smarts at the combine. Dominated against D-III competition, but how will that translate to the NFL?

Round 4

Daryl Williams- Oklahoma (Tackle)-Reunite with his old teammate Lane Johnson for years to come?

Donovan Smith- Penn State (Tackle/Guard)-Eagle fans would welcome his size and PSU roots.

Mitch Morse-Missouri (Guard)-Huge fan, has a very similar game as current Eagle Evan Mathis.
Rd 5

Jamil Douglas- Arizona State- (Guard) athletic, has improved every year and experience at both tackle and guard.

Robert Myers- Tennessee State

Jeremiah Poutasi- Utah

Austin Shepherd- Alabama (Tackle)

Terry Poole-San Diego State (Guard)

Chaz Green-Florida (Tackle)

Rd 6/7

Trenton Brown- Florida (Tackle)talk about size, 6’8” and 355 pounds.

Ben Beckwith- Mississippi State (Guard/Center)

Adam Shead-Oklahoma (Guard)

Jeff Kolsky

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gmcliff
gmcliff
April 23, 2015 6:32 am

Laken Tomlinson from Duke is 6-4 332lbs is an option at Guard in the 2nd

Ereck Flowers 6-5 340lbs OT, can also play Guard ala Shawn Andrews and may have a more successful career at Guard, as will Daryl Williams

I love Donovan Smith as a RT only, and I would try Ali Marpet at Center to back up Kelce.

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 23, 2015 6:36 am
Reply to  gmcliff

There is not a Left Tackle Prospect in this draft that could be the heir apparent to Jason Peters – and Lane Johnson is NOT a Left Tackle. There are none in next years draft either.

The Eagles may have to wait until Joe Thomas becomes a Free Agent and pay him to replace Peters next year or the year after.

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
April 23, 2015 11:01 am
Reply to  Jeff Kolsky

Lane Johnson has done more than just a nice job. Has been the best prospect out of the top OL selected in the top 10 and was rated pretty damn good after returning last year.

He may not be an ALL PRO LT but he is a DAMN GOOD RT.

paulman
paulman
April 23, 2015 11:57 am
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

Lane Johnson will make Pro-Bowl at RT in 2015 and start a Run for the next 5 Seasons..
I am not so sure that he can be as good over on the Left Side, but I am sure that he is among the NFL’s Best at RT without any doubt from anyone who watches, follows the NFL
He’s outplayed and matured quicker than the other OT’s Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel that were Drafted ahead of him.. The Eagles got this Pick Right and hit a Home Run with it in my opinion..

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
April 23, 2015 12:15 pm
Reply to  paulman

Agreed Paulman.

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 23, 2015 2:34 pm
Reply to  paulman

We’ll see Paul…..

You’ve been saying that for some time. All that being what you said , if he doesn’t then what will you have to say??…..just give him time??

What other players at his position do is irrelevant. He has to be better than average to make a Pro Bowl…..He wasn’t a home run, with that analogy he would be a single….

invinoveritus
invinoveritus
April 23, 2015 10:33 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

as Lane Johnson has only been in the NFL 2 years- and in his rookie season he was ranked by bleacher report as the #11 in the NFL as a rookie – and was suspended the first four games of this season – how the hell has the guy been ‘saying it for some time’ – get over yourself – your a self important clown with ZERO – here is a tidbit for you –

Johnson, who made the switch to right tackle before his junior season of college, has only been playing the position for four seasons. Although offensive tackle is a position at which rookies and even sophomores generally struggle, Johnson has played at a high level since the day he was drafted.

Check out his ratings, per Pro Football Focus, during his last two seasons. He struggled during the first half of his rookie season, which is to be expected of a player thrust into the starting lineup at a position he just started playing two years earlier. But he finished on a strong note, and in 2014 he was one of the best offensive tackles in the National Football League.

Lane Johnson’s Transformation as an Elite Offensive Tackle

Year PFF Grade PFF OTs Sacks Hurries
2013(first half) – 15.4 67th 7 29
2013(second half) 17.5 10th 4 12
2014(last 12 weeks) 14.3 10th 1 23

so in his 2nd season – a rating system had him as the #10 tackle (right or left) in all of football yeah – thats a single you freakin clown –

the article continues = The criticism of Johnson as a rookie was his weakness as a pass-blocker, and those concerns were certainly warranted during the first half of the year. But it took just an eight-game learning curve for Johnson to transform into a solid pass-blocker as well as a mauler in run blocking. To allow just a single sack in 12 games in 2014
Pro Football Focus

and the closing paragraph – The sky is the limit for Lane Johnson. He earned an All-Pro selection by Pro Football Focus in 2014, just his second year in the league. He’s 25 years old this offseason, with many more years of elite play ahead of him. He’s everything you want in a Kelly-type offensive lineman, and his ceiling is high enough that he could become a perennial All-Pro.

perhaps he would have had more honors if he was not suspended for PEDs –

go to the article at bleacherreport.com / articles / 2429945-why-lane-johnson-is-philadelphia-eagles-most-overlooked-2015-starter

clown

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 24, 2015 7:04 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

That is another mans opinion. That has no bearing on what I think.

I also believe Connor Barwin is nothing but an average OLB, that had an aberration of a season that will never be repeated…

But I’m sure others feel different, but that doesn’t change my mind, no matter how many articles you pull up…In my mind who cares, I see average…..

Oldphillyfan
Oldphillyfan
April 23, 2015 9:05 am

Your opinion of who can play LT differs from scouts and former NFL types now on TV.

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 23, 2015 2:40 pm
Reply to  Oldphillyfan

That’s okay Philly, because it doesn’t matter, because those so called scouts, are more wrong every year when it come to evaluating these players.

If you allow the player to prove he can play – instead of ASSUMING he can play the position……doesn’t that hold more weight than wishful thinking???

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
April 23, 2015 10:07 am

I wonder if GMCliff impregnated any of these prospects’ mothers and graciously allowed some dope to raise them too unbeknownst to the prospect.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
April 23, 2015 10:22 am

Eagles could use a better backup center.
David Molk shouldn’t be that hard to beat out in training camp for a mid to late round draft pick.

paulman
paulman
April 23, 2015 10:59 am

Look for Center Hronis Grasu from Oregon Selected by Chip in the 3rd Rd
if he’s still on the Board… Lots of Teams like this kid… Grasso can compete for Guard and be that Back-Up Center and actually take over for Kelce
if he get Injured or gets Traded next Off-Season…Kelly loves this Grasu kid..
6-3 300lbs and very athletic

gloomysmitty
gloomysmitty
April 23, 2015 11:09 am

If chip can’t get MM I want him to trade all the way out of the 1st Rd to Oakland for 2,3,5 ,7 picks and still trade Bradford to Cleveland for Johnny football 2,3,5. Own the draft chip

haveacigar
haveacigar
April 23, 2015 12:13 pm
Reply to  gloomysmitty

Gloomy your proposed trades would get opposing GM’s fired…

paulman
paulman
April 23, 2015 12:25 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Gloomy is making Paulman’s Trade Alert’s seem plausible… 🙂
I have to get a New Updated Draft Day Trade Chart for Gloomy..

haveacigar
haveacigar
April 23, 2015 12:31 pm
Reply to  paulman

he has the eagles getting a ricky Williams type of haul for number 20!

paulman
paulman
April 23, 2015 1:08 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Mike Ditka called and said he will toss in his Bar up in Chicago too..

paulman
paulman
April 23, 2015 12:55 pm

Here is my Take on the O/Line Position this Draft on Players I feel would be good Fits for the Eagles Scheme, Locker Room,etc

OT’s
1st Rd La’el Collins – LSU (6-4 305lbs)
1st Rd Ereck Flowers – Miami (6-6 328lbs)
2nd Rd Jake Fisher – Oregon (6-6 305lbs)
3rd Rd Daryl Williams – Oklahoma (6-5 327lbs)
4th Rd Austin Shepard – Alabama (6-4 315lbs)
4th/5th Laurence Gibson – Virgina Tech (6-6 305lbs)
5th Rd Sean Hickey – Syracuse (6-5 309lbs)
6th/7th Jamon Brown – Louisville (6-4 325lbs)
6th/7th Terry Poole – San Diego State (6-5 307lbs)
7th Rd Takoby Cofield – Duke (6-4 310lbs)
7th/UDFA Rob Crisp – NC State (6-7 305lbs)

Guard
2nd Rd – Donovan Smith – Penn State (6-6 335lbs)
2nd Rd – Ty Sambrailo – Colorado St (6-6 311lbs)
3rd Rd – Ali MArpet – Hobart (6-4 307lbs)
3rd Rd – Mike Morse – Missouri (6-5 305lbs)
3rd/4th – John Miller – Louisville (6-2 303lbs)
4th Rd – Mark Glowinski – West Virginia (6-4 307lbs)
5th Rd – Jeremiah Poutasi – Utah (6-5 335lbs)
6th Rd – Robert Myers – Tenn State (6-5 326lbs)
6th/7th – Jarvis Harrison – Texas A&M (6-4 330lbs)
7th Rd – Adam Snead – Oklahoma (6-4 335lbs)
7th/UDFA – Jon Feliciano – Miami (6-4 323lbs)

Center
1st Rd – Cam Erving – Florida State (6-5 313lbs)
2nd Rd – Hroniss Grasu – Oregon (6-3 300lbs)
4th Rd – Andy Galik – Boston College (6-2 306lbs)
5th Rd – Shaquille Mason – Georgia Tech (6-2 304lbs)
7th Rd – Greg Mancz – Toledo (6-4 301lbs)
( These Players would also take snaps at Guard Position)

I believe the Eagles will Select 2 OL in this Draft
1 Early Pick to be a Long-Term Player at OT
1 Mid-Late Round to be an Interior (Guard/Center)

paulman
paulman
April 23, 2015 1:06 pm
Reply to  paulman

3 Combos I see Chip Kelly going with

1st Option
Selects OT Ereck Flowers in the 1st Rd, then Jeremiah Poutasi 5th Rd

2nd Option
Selects OT Jake Fisher in the 2nd Rd, then Mark Glowinski in the 4th Rd

3rd Option
Selects Guard Ali Marpet in the 3rd Rd, then OT Terry Poole in the 6th

I like Option #2 the Best …

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 23, 2015 2:37 pm
Reply to  paulman

Fisher blows….

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
April 23, 2015 2:52 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

I keep saying people are over valuing fisher. he was the 2nd most penalized tackle in the nation for 2 years in a row. he needs more strength.

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 23, 2015 3:07 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

and your evaluation would be spot on Eagle. He is too light in the pants. The ONLY reason Chip would draft him is because of his prejudice for his underwhelming NFL Oregon Prospects like: Taylor Hart, Josh Huff, and Jeff Maehal.

paulman
paulman
April 23, 2015 6:02 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

I project Fisher as Guard at the NFL Level.. And yes he definitely needs to add 15 Lbs of Strength which almost every Rookie needs
If you haven’t noticed yet, Chip Kelly is not enamored with these 325-330lbs OLB who can’t move .. He wants tall with a long arm reach, Good Athleticism, Good Feet & Hands that are in top top shape and have endurance that this Tempo requires with his OL..

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 23, 2015 8:34 pm
Reply to  paulman

Peters is 340 lbs, Lane Johnson is 330 lbs, Mathis is 330 lbs, and Herramans was 335….That’s nonsense Paul…

Fisher would suck at OG, and OT. If he didn’t play at Oregon with Chip Kelly, he would be what he is a 4th -5th Round pick.

The Prospect should be able to play in the NFL. What’s up with Dion Jordan, Taylor Hart, and other Oregon Prospects who don’t pan out that have played for Kelly???

He can put a College team together, but It remains to be seen if he can evaluate Talent that translates to the Pros.

I think that’s the problem if there is one, and this doesn’t work. He is an excellent X, and O’s Coach, but that’s what he needs to stick to – His strength – because he maybe having trouble deciphering between what a College recruit is, and an NFL Caliber player is.

paulman
paulman
April 24, 2015 2:51 pm
Reply to  paulman

You are incorrect GMCLiff about the OL

Eagles OL are listed as the Following

J Peters 6-4 328lbs
E Mathis 6-5 298lbs
J Kelce 6-3 295lbs
L Johnson 6-6 315lbs
A Barbree 6-4 310lbs
A Gardner 6-6 308lbs
D Kelly 6-8 321lbs
K Graf 6-6 309lbs
M Tobin 6-6 290lbs
J Vandervelde 6-2 300lbs

So as you can see, All of the Current Eagles OL are long and lean with only J Peters close to tipping the Scales at 325-330lbs…

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 24, 2015 7:17 pm
Reply to  paulman

Excuse me Paul…I am not incorrect. I saw where it said Peters was 328 lbs, and it is incorrect Peters has been 340 lbs for years – it’s states so even in ourlads eagles roster.

It also has Mathis at 298m and Johnson as low as 303 – that is incorrect as well….Mathis is 320 lbs, and Lame is 317.

But you can never say a 330 – 340 lbs Lineman wouldn’t work in this system by Kelly’s own admission – Big People beat up little people.

And Jake Fisher still stinks

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
April 24, 2015 7:36 pm
Reply to  paulman

Paulman is right your wrong. Plain as day on the Eagles on website.

THAT IS RUN BY THE TEAM.

paulman
paulman
April 25, 2015 8:14 am
Reply to  paulman

As I stated Chip Kelly likes his OL Long & Lean and Athletic
With good Feet,Hands and Stamina to handle his Tempo & Pace..

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
April 24, 2015 1:27 pm

Ton of write ups lately on Ali Marpet…hes on the front page of ESPN right now. I dont think he lasts until the 3rd round.

paulman
paulman
April 24, 2015 2:08 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

He will go by the mid/late 2nd Round when some of the Guards start going
(Tomlinson,McCann, etc,etc)

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
April 24, 2015 2:10 pm

If he goes by the mid 2nd that means there is going to be a run on OL at the end of the first heading into the 2nd.

paulman
paulman
April 24, 2015 2:54 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

I believe the end of 1st Run will be a Run on WR or CB’s before Interior OL

The Top OT Prospects will go between #15-#30
(B Scherff, J Collins, A Peat, E Flowers, DJ Humphries, TJ Clemmings)

Then the Guards/Centers will start the 2nd Round ..

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
April 24, 2015 3:34 pm
Reply to  paulman

the NFL website has a story up that Pitt OT, TJ Clemmons has stress fractures in his leg …

paulman
paulman
April 24, 2015 4:02 pm

That’s a Shame .. At the start of January, he was looked at very highly
and did not have a great Senior Week or Combine Performance and has dropped and dropped for a sure fire 1st Rounder to a mid 2nd Rounder and now this injury report… He was a Former Defensive End who made the switch to OT 2 Years ago and is still very new and raw to the Position but he has the size, reach, athleticism but it will take some time..

paulman
paulman
April 24, 2015 5:14 pm

Other Players with some Injuries

WR Jalen Strong – Arizona State – (From a Late 1st Round to the 2nd Rd)
RB Jay Ajayi – Boise State (2nd Round Prospect who may drop with Knee Issues)
CB Jalen Collins – LSU (from a Late 1st/Early 2nd who may Drop to a 3rd)
OT Cedric Ogbuehi – Texas A & M (From a Late 1st/Early 2nd Rounder to a 3rd with Knee Issues)

Oldphillyfan
Oldphillyfan
April 25, 2015 7:42 am

Jalen Collins has drug issues. Jake Fisher will be gone when we draft. Don’t discount La’el Collins being drafted by us – If he is there at 20 – even BMCliff might approve.

paulman
paulman
April 25, 2015 8:11 am
Reply to  Oldphillyfan

OT La’el Collins very likely goes a 1/2 Round earlier than Jake Fisher..
Collins a Top #15-20 Pick, Fisher goes at the end of 1st Round most likely Early 2nd Round

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 25, 2015 9:23 am
Reply to  paulman

Fisher is not a 1st round talent or pick Paul.

daggolden
daggolden
April 25, 2015 11:09 am
Reply to  gmcliff

Ed Maynowitz clearly stated that just because somr players on other boards aren’t 1st round talents doesnt mean they aren’t 1st round talents for what the Eagles want them to do. Like Landon Collins may be a 3rd round talent on the Eagles board because he doesn’t fit and Fisher is because he does.

haveacigar
haveacigar
April 25, 2015 11:32 am
Reply to  daggolden

Dag well stated. It is why everyone is so perplexed they are looking thru a conventional lense that’s not chips view.
Chip asked if they redid the Tom Brady draft and someone took him number 1 could you imagine the reaction

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 25, 2015 12:10 pm
Reply to  daggolden

I’m speaking realistically Dag…

Chip also thought Taylor Hart was a 3rd Round Talent, who wasn’t talented at all, but drafted him in the 5th because of how he thought he would fit in his system………

still doesn’t mean he can play in the NFL, As most don’t coming out of Oregon.

paulman
paulman
April 25, 2015 12:17 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

I believe Fisher is late 1st to a mid 2nd Rounder Pick
In that #25-#45 Range ..
Teams that are showing an interest are the Eagles, Bengals, Colts, Packers , Broncos, Seahawks & Pats with their late 1st Round Selection
Early in 2nd Round are Teams like the Raiders,Jags, Redskins,Falcons, Giants, Bears,Browns, are all looking to improve their OL

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
April 25, 2015 10:09 am
Reply to  Oldphillyfan

I did not know about the drug issue, but, I never liked Jalen Collins as a player period. Every time I’d see him mocked in the first round to the Eagles I would cringe. I think it’s safe for me not to worry about that happening anymore.

zilents44
zilents44
April 25, 2015 9:31 am

Ive stated a while back that I didnt like fisher in college kinda soft…..but he would be a plug in play and fit chips system…..at rg…..but he is a good athlete and would add muscle in his rookie season and be coached by one of the best oline coaches in stoutland…..i wouldnt hate the pick or like it much but it fits a need

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
April 25, 2015 10:47 am

Lael Collins is going to be nowhere near 20. He’s mocked and ranked as 2nd best lineman behind Scherff and a couple like him better.

paulman
paulman
April 25, 2015 11:59 am
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

La’el Collins will go in that #10-20 Range and probably closer to #10 then #20

I see the Giants, Rams,Dolphins, Texans, Chargers, Browns Eagles, Bengals all being interested in him