What the Eagles should do at offensive guard

Our Philadelphia Eagles roster outlook sequence continues by analyzing the offensive sort out place. PREVIOUSLY: Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | Wide receiver | Offensive tackle.

LANDON DICKERSON

STATS: 859 snaps, 13 begins, twenty second out of 88 guards graded by PFF, 2 sacks allowed, 8 hits allowed, 23 hurries allowed, 5 penalties

PLAYOFF STATS: 66 snaps, 1 begin

REVIEW: Dickerson spent the whole lot of coaching camp on the energetic/non-football damage listing whereas recovering from the damage he suffered in December 2020. The rookie blocker hardly had time to be eased in since Brandon Brooks’ damage thrust him into motion in Week 2. Dickerson began his first sport in Week 3 and struggled early within the 12 months, particularly when it got here to go safety. However Dickerson ultimately settled in on the left guard spot. He was a starter for arguably the league’s finest offensive line. He was in a position to make use of his dimension and energy successfully as a run blocker, paving the way in which for one of many league’s finest speeding assaults. Given his earlier damage issues, it was good to see Dickerson keep away from lacking video games. [For a great All-22 analysis of Dickerson’s 2021 season, CLICK HERE.]

OUTLOOK: The Eagles have seemingly discovered a long-term starter in Dickerson, assuming his damage points are actually behind him. The query is: the place will he be enjoying in 2022? If Jason Kelce retires, there’s an opportunity he may transfer inside to heart. However because it appears to be like like Kelce would possibly return, the Eagles may simply hold him at left guard subsequent to Jordan Mailata. However do the Eagles then transfer Isaac Seumalo to proper guard, the place he hasn’t performed a lot within the NFL? The guess right here is the Eagles hold Dickerson at left guard however we’ll simply should see if that’s the case. Whichever spot he’s at, it could be good to see him enhance a bit in go safety (forty eighth out of 88 guards in go blocking grade). Having a full wholesome offseason could possibly be good for his improvement.

MY TAKE: Keep.

JACK DRISCOLL

STATS: 512 snaps, 9 begins, 20nd out of 88 guards graded by PFF, 1 sack allowed, 3 hits allowed, 14 hurries allowed, 1 penalty

REVIEW: Driscoll bought damage in coaching camp and commenced the season on injured reserve. He was activated in October and instantly began rather than Lane Johnson, who was away from the group for psychological well being causes. Driscoll then shifted to proper guard, the place he remained till struggling a season-ending damage in late November.

OUTLOOK: Driscoll has performed pretty nicely when wholesome, particularly relative to backup expectations. However the issue is that Driscoll hasn’t been capable of keep wholesome. He’s been on the injured reserve listing thrice over the previous two seasons. If Driscoll can put the damage points behind him, he has an opportunity to be the Eagles’ high backup at left guard, proper guard, and proper sort out in 2022.

MY TAKE: Keep.

NATE HERBIG

STATS: 481 snaps, 5 begins, thirty first out of 88 guards graded by PFF, 1 sack, 4 hits allowed, 11 hurries allowed, 3 penalties

REVIEW: Herbig didn’t see common begins till after each Brooks and Driscoll had been out for the season. He was considerably surprisingly inactive for the Eagles’ playoff sport in opposition to the Bucs.

OUTLOOK: The Eagles like Herbig sufficient to go to him in the event that they actually should … however they’re not likely desperate to get him out on the sector. Herbig is a restricted free agent this offseason. It could value $2.4 million to tender him on the lowest stage. He’s not price that a lot when the Eagles are frequently capable of finding high quality depth with Jeff Stoutland round. The Eagles ought to gauge his curiosity in signing a brief contract extension that offers him some cash up entrance however retains him low-cost and below group management for an additional 12 months. In any other case, let him take a look at free company and solely convey him again if he doesn’t obtain curiosity in the marketplace. I may see the Jaguars doubtlessly having curiosity in Herbie with the Doug Pederson connection down there.

MY TAKE: Go.

ISAAC SEUMALO

STATS: 168 snaps, 3 begins, seventeenth out of 137 guards graded by PFF, 0 sacks allowed, 0 hits allowed, 1 hurry allowed, 3 penalties

REVIEW: Seumalo was off to an excellent begin in 2021 earlier than struggling a season-ending Lisfranc damage in Week 3.

OUTLOOK: Harm points have prompted Seumalo to overlook 22 video games over the previous two seasons. That’s regarding. There’s nonetheless purpose to imagine Seumalo has loads of good soccer left in him contemplating he’s getting into his age 29 season. However the Eagles want extra sturdiness from Ike. If Kelce retires, Seumalo would possibly truly be the highest possibility to exchange him at heart. If Kelce is again, Seumalo could possibly be requested to maneuver to proper guard to maintain Dickerson in place at left guard. Seumalo does have expertise enjoying proper guard; he made 9 begins at that spot in his closing 12 months at Oregon State. He additionally performed 137 snaps at proper guard throughout his rookie season in 2016 … however hasn’t actually been at that spot since then. 2022 is an enormous 12 months for Seumalo as a result of his contract will void after this 12 months. The Eagles would ideally be capable to signal him to an extension now to decrease his $7.7 million cap quantity however the damage issues would possibly forestall them from doing that.

MY TAKE: Keep.

SUA OPETA

STATS: 163 snaps, 2 begins, twenty second out of 137 guards graded by PFF, 1 sack allowed, 1 hit allowed, 9 hurries allowed, 1 penalty

PLAYOFF STATS: 66 snaps, 1 begin

REVIEW: Opeta noticed his first begin proper earlier than Christmas when Dickerson missed a sport whereas on the COVID listing. Opeta began once more in Philly’s meaningless Week 18 sport in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys. After which a 3rd time when the Eagles performed the Bucs within the playoffs.

OUTLOOK: Opeta is signed by 2022. Straightforward name to convey him again as an affordable depth possibility who has some sport expertise below his belt.

MY TAKE: Keep.

BRANDON BROOKS

STATS: 96 snaps, 2 begins, a hundred and fifth out of 137 guards graded by PFF, 0 sacks allowed, 0 hits allowed, 3 hurries allowed, 1 penalty

REVIEW: Brooks missed a while in coaching camp earlier than returning to the sector … however not for lengthy. He suffered a chest damage in Week 2 and landed on injured reserve. Lane Johnson prompt Brooks had a eight-week restoration timeline however Brooks by no means returned to motion. The three-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement following the season.

OUTLOOK: It’s a disgrace that Brooks simply couldn’t keep wholesome. He needed to undergo two Achilles accidents, one separated shoulder, and one torn pectoral muscle since January 2019. Although Brooks’ profession didn’t precisely finish on a excessive be aware, he might be remembered fondly as an awesome Eagle. He’s an extremely sensible man who will undoubtedly thrive in life after soccer. Brooks mentioned he plans on making use of to Penn’s enterprise faculty.

MY TAKE: Go and prosper in a post-playing profession.

KAYODE AWOSIKA

STATS: 43 snaps, eleventh out of 137 guards graded by PFF, 2 sacks allowed, 0 hits allowed, 1 hurry allowed, 0 penalties

REVIEW: Awosika confirmed some promise final summer time; there was thought the undrafted rookie free agent signing may earn a roster spot. The Eagles as a substitute stored him on the apply squad, typically utilizing protections on him to ensure he wasn’t poached. Awosika lastly bought to see some enjoying time in Week 18.

OUTLOOK: Awosika is an intriguing participant to look at transferring ahead. He’s demonstrated some potential and presents guard/sort out versatility. The Eagles would possibly be capable to develop him into a pleasant backup participant. He’s caught behind another guys on the depth chart so he’ll want an excellent offseason to show he deserves to stay round.

MY TAKE: Keep.

OTHER PLAYERS WITH GUARD VERSATILITY

Jack Anderson is formally listed as a middle/guard on the Eagles’ roster. He performed 31 snaps at guard in Week 18. Brett Toth performed 14 snaps at proper guard in 2021. Toth additionally performed seven snaps at offensive sort out, the place he’s principally lined up in apply and preseason settings. However he curiously performed 30 snaps at heart in Week 18, so I’m placing him within the heart place overview since perhaps the Eagles are most to see what he can do at that spot?

The Eagles gained’t be spending huge cash on the guard place.

If Kelce retires, there’s thought the Eagles can draft Tyler Linderbaum to exchange him and hold Dickerson/Seumalo at guard. We’ll contact extra on Linderbaum within the heart place outlook submit.

With uncertainty surrounding Seumalo’s future (accidents/contract), the Eagles may afford so as to add a guard in some unspecified time in the future. Maybe late Day 2 or some level on Day 3.