As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, we will be taking a look at some players at each position that could interest the Eagles.
Today, we look at all three spots along the offensive line in the order most likely to be drafted by the Eagles — center, guard and tackle.
CENTERS:
Caser Ruiz, C, Michigan (2nd round): Ruiz, 6-foot-3, 307 pounds, is an excellent athlete for the center position and has the speed to be a very productive blocker on the second level. Multiple scouting reports mention his football IQ and his leadership qualities, two very important traits for any player stepping into Jason Kelce's shies to have. Considered by some to be the best center in the draft, Ruiz would also bring position versatility to the Eagles line as he spent time at guard as well during his days at Michigan.
Matt Hennessy, C, Temple (3rd round): Hennessy's experience in a shotgun-heavy offense will be appealing to the Eagles. Hennessy might not be able to play guard, but he does have the football IQ and mobility to eventually take over for Kelce, especially if he gets a year to develop behind him. He is especially strong in the open field on screen plays.
Nick Harris, C, Washington (3rd round): Harris brings perhaps the best position versatility among all the centers in the draft, as he started two games at left guard, 15 games at right guard and 25 at center during his time at Washington. Harris, 6-foot-1, 293 pounds, was able to play all three spots because he is an excellent athlete that has a great combination of both power and speed. The Eagles don't currently have a backup offensive linemen that has the versatility that Harris would bring.
Darryl Williams, C, Mississippi State (4th round): Williams, 6-foot-2, 304 pounds, started two years at left guard before moving over to center in 2019. His lack of experience at center is somewhat concerning, but his position versatility is appealing, and he is a high-level athlete that should benefit from getting a year to learn from Jeff Stoutland. Williams allowed just five sacks in 45 games in college, but three of them came once he switched to center.
Keith Ismael, C, San Diego State (7th round): Ismael, 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, is a strong player that should be able to hold his own at the NFL level right away but isn't especially great in space, which could be an issue for the Eagles. What they will like, however, is that he started 27 games at center and 11 at guard. If they think he can improve in pass protection he could be worth a seventh-round flyer.
GUARDS:
Jonah Jackson, OG, Ohio State (3rd round): Jackson has spent time at all three interior offensive line positions, starting 10-plus games at both guard spots and five at center. Johnson is a good athlete for a player his size (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) and has the kind of attitude and smarts you like to see from offensive linemen. He allowed just one sack in 44 college games.
Johnson Simpson, OG, Clemson (4th round): Simpson is a big body in the middle of the offensive line, weighing a strong 330 pounds. He has played both guard spots and in excellent in run blocking, but has work to do when it comes to his pass blocking.
Hakeem Adeniji, OG, Kansas (4th round): Adeniji needs to add some muscle, but if he does, he is a good enough athlete that he could develop into a quality starting guard. He got time at both left tackle and guard at Kansas, which will be appealing to the Eagles.
Shane Lemieux, OG, Oregon (5th round): Lemieux has great lateral quickness for a player wight 316 pounds. He is excellent in pass protection, where the combination of his size and football IQ should help him get on the field quickly in the pass-happy NFL. His run blocking, however, does need some work.
TACKLES:
Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU (4th round): Charles, 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, is very similar to Andre Dillard in that he is an excellent athlete but needs to add strength. Has only spent time on the left side, but with 28 starts at LSU he could potentially be the top backup at left tackle right away.
Ben Bartch, OT, St Johns (3rd round): Barcth is a project at offensive tackle as he is a recently converted tight end. He is an elite athlete for the tackle position, however, and has good size at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds. He needs coaching, but with Jeff Stoutland teaching him, he should be ready to play soon. Bartch could be the Eagles' new project at tackle if they have decided they are close to done with Jordan Mailata.
Yasir Durant, OT, Missouri (5th round): Durant is not an especially great athlete, but he is strong and was very effective during his time at Missouri, allowing only four sacks in 37 games played. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 343 pounds, he is already extremely strong for the position. His ceiling isn't as high as others but at the very least he should be a competent NFL backup.
John Molchon, OT, Boise State (6th round): Molchon has seen time at both left and right tackle, while also playing left guard at times as well during his four years at Boise State. He projects as a right tackle, but his position versatility should push the 6-foot-5, 314 pound linemen up the Eagles' draft board.
Jon Runyan, OT, Michigan (7th round): The son of former Eagles' great Jon Runyan, Runyan played left tackle, right tackle and right guard during his time at Michigan. He isn't an especially flexible or quick athlete, but he could be worth a late-round flyer, and seems like the kind of pick Howie Roseman would make.
Victor Johnson, OT, App State (7th round): Johnson is one of the better athletes at tackle among the mid/late-round prospects, standing 6-foot-4, 285 pounds with good speed and an ideal frame for offensive tackle. Johnson could be developed into a backup swing tackle for the Eagles.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
