3 Options for Strengthening The Eagles Offensive Line
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles suffered a potentially major blow, when NFL Network's Ian Rappoport confirmed a report that offensive tackle Lane Johnson is facing a 10-game suspension for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The story has been a strange one, on multiple accounts. Things began with Johnson denying the suspension to Philadelphia media, but later confirmed his positive test to FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer. Johnson's agent would later release a statement saying that any report of a suspension if false.
Johnson began this week, by saying that the "NFLPA does not stand up for players." This came after Johnson admitted to using a phone app to see if the supplement he took was approved or not. The NFLPA fired back with a statement saying, "Mr. Johnson's statements are factually inaccurate, and we have been in touch with Lane and his agent, who now understand the facts. The NFLPA does not approve any supplements or substances." Things took an even stranger turn yesterday, when a report surfaced claiming that Johnson informed the Eagles of his suspension back on July 30. Head Coach Doug Pederson refuted that statement, adding more mystery to this situation by saying, "just like you guys heard it." That would mean that Pederson was told on August 8, just about two weeks after Johnson allegedly found out.
[What's going on with Lane Johnson, Doug Pederson and Eagles?]Despite the mystery surrounding this situation, the Eagles need to handle this as if Johnson's suspension will stand. Should his suspension hold up, the Eagles would stand to lose their best offensive lineman. Overall, the Eagles offensive line is questionable -- at best. Aside from Jason Peters, Brandon Brooks, and Jason Kelce, the Eagles offensive line depth is shallow and mediocre. On the outside, the Birds have Andrew Gardner, Matt Tobin, and Halapoullivatti Vaitai behind Johnson and Peters. They had Dennis Kelly, before they traded him to the Tennessee Titans today for Dorial Green-Beckham. On the inside, they have Stefen Wisniewski, Issac Seumalo, Josh Andrews, and Barrett Jones. I'm sure you can tell that they need some serious help along the line -- just based on their reserves, alone.
That said, I have spent the day doing some research. There are currently five viable options on the free agent market, that the Eagles could turn to, in the event that Johnson's suspension is upheld. Currently sitting with approximately $6.7 million in available cap space, the Eagles can certainly afford to splurge a little bit of money in an effort to beef up the offensive line depth. Now, let's take a look at some of the best options available.
Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America
1.) Will Beatty [6'6/320 lbs, Last Team: New York Giants]
Beatty last played a down in the NFL during the 2014 season. He missed the 2015 season due to torn rotator cuff that he suffered while rehabbing a torn pectoral muscle that he suffered. The Giants released him earlier this year, after Beatty spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Giants. A left tackle by trade, Beatty has experience on the right-side. Although, he hasn't played right tackle since his rookie season in 2009. The Eagles have already been in contact with the 31-year-old, and many assume that they'll snatch him up when the Johnson ruling is handed down.
Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America
2.) Eugene Monroe [6'5/309 lbs, Last Team: Baltimore Ravens]
Monroe entered the league in 2009, selected eighth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 NFL Draft. He spent a little more than four seasons with the Jags, before he became a Baltimore Raven in mid-2013. When he first started with the Ravens, Monroe split his time between left tackle and right tackle. It was a tale-of-two-teams for Monroe. During his tenure with Jacksonville, he missed only three games out of 65 total. In Baltimore, he missed 17 of the 34 games the team played in. Monroe retired in late-July, citing CTE issues as the reason. No teams have contacted him since his retirement, but what's the harm in giving Monroe a buzz?
Source: Seth Perlman/Associated Press
3.) Jake Long [6'7/308 lbs, Last Team: Atlanta Falcons]
The final name on this list, is quite possibly the most recognizable. Jake Long was the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Long was a total beast in his time at the University of Michigan, becoming named to the All-Big Ten first team on two different occasions, being named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year twice, and being named a consensus All-American twice. Long's NFL career got off to a solid start early in his career, as Long started the first 61 games of his career. He was a four-time Pro Bowler from 2008-2011. In 2009, Long was named as a second-team All-Pro, before becoming a first-team All-Pro the following season. Long left the Miami Dolphins in 2013, signing a four-year, $36 million contract with the St.Louis Rams. His tenure with the Rams got off to a bumpy start, as he missed the 2013 season with a Torn ACL. Once again, Long tore his ACL, missing the 2014 season. He was released by the Rams in 2015, but later signed on with the Atlanta Falcons, where he played only 11 snaps. Earlier this year, Long looked to be on the verge of signing with the Baltimore Ravens, before his contract was voided because he refused to sign a liability waiver. Sure, bringing Long in would be a risk. Although, he's by far the most talented lineman on the open market. I feel it would be a risk, worth taking.
It's important to note that these are not the only options currently available to the Eagles. There are a number of other options available, but these are arguable the top ones on the open market. The Birds currently have very little to spend, but a pressing need to protect Sam Bradford. With a Lane Johnson suspension looming, I believe that it would be in their best interest to pursue a low-risk contract with one of these three lineman.
