ctc
Well-Known Member
Good point. There depth right now is Kelce, Seaumolo, Peters, Johnson and Brooks as the starters and Mailata, Vaitai & Pryor as the backups. The only other rostered player is Kaleb Johnson whose resume reads like a camp body.
Its interesting that both Warmack and Wisniewski and still out there as Free Agents. I have a tough time believing that one or both of them or some other experienced guard wouldn't be here if Roseman was worried about who was starting the first six games at RG.
So just reading the tea leaves, Roseman either believes that (a) Brooks will be just find by the start of the season, and/or (b) that Pryor or Mailata are ready to step in there if needed. If would be good news if the Eagles have that kind of confidence in there young players.
Roseman isn't the sort to put all his hope into a draft pick. He likes to set things up in Free Agency where the draft picks don't need to take on a full time role immediately. I think the Eagles are thinking that their top 7 Offensive Lineman that will be active on game day are already on the Eagles roster....which would mean they like what they have in Mailata and Pryor.
The more interesting perspective is what does 2020 look like? Peters and Kelce could both be gone and now you are looking at potentially starting Pryor (at Guard) and Semaulo (at Center) and Mailata (at Tackle). And even if that is successful, you would need two more offensive lineman. For that reason, I think it is definitely possible and really likely that the Eagles draft an Offensive Lineman. You always need to think two years out. The good news is if they are happy with Pryor and Mailata (which letting Wiz and Warmack walk seems to indicate), they have the luxury of giving the new guy(s) a year on the inactive roster (and possibly waiting til the 4th round to draft them) in prep for the possible retirements in 2020.
No one is coming back from an Achilles injury inside a year. It's never happened in any sport.
Wisnewski was cut and wormack wasn't resigned. If they wanted either one they'd still be here. They're not coming back. There is no in FA who is starter material at this point.
The likelihood of either pryor or mailata going from not even dressing for a game last year to starter is virtually nil.
You're left with trading for someone or a draft pick. And the draft is easily the best option at this point.