Eagles have two players land in the top five of ESPN’s offensive tackle rankings

Too much of something can lead to overindulgence. So be it. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has been cranking out this series. Lately, we check his platform out now and then to see if he’s given us another installment and if any Philadelphia Eagles are mentioned.

He has spoken with league executives, coaches, and scouts, using their insights to rank the best players at every position. As you’d expect, he has offered some intriguing insights. For instance, Philadelphia landed at the top of a ranking of NFL offensive weaponry.

This time around, offensive linemen were the talking point. The game’s top offensive tackles were ranked. This ought to be good. After all, who has a better line than the Birds?

The answer to that is simple. No one does, so when the smoke cleared and the dust settled, two Birds landed among the top half of another ranking of talent.

Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata land third and fifth, respectively,y on a ranking of the NFL’s top offensive tackles

Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata sandwich Trent Williams on ESPN’s ranking of the game’s top offensive tackles. Johnson earned the third spot on the list, and Mailata took the fifth spot. Tristan Wirfs and Penei Sewell earned the top two spots.

On the topic of Johnson, an anonymous NFL personnel director stated the following:

“He’s kind of the gold standard now — technique, smarts, and probably the most instinctive of them all. He’s a perfect product of that system. He’s dealt with a lot, from mental health to injuries, and he’s come out of it better than ever.”

Two linemen couldn’t be any more different than Johnson or Mailata. They are kin in the sense that their pursuit of greatness is never-ending, but they come from totally different backgrounds.

Johnson was the fourth overall selection of the 2013 NFL Draft. Mailata didn’t know how to put his helmet on when he arrived at the NovaCare Complex. He had never played American football at any level before joining Philly as part of the International Player Pathway Program as a seventh-round pick in 2018, but, as an anonymous NFL executive stated to Fowler, his ascension has been “astronomical.” A veteran NFL personnel executive added the following.

“One of the most unique players in the NFL. Has really improved year-to-year. Only thing that holds him back from the others at the top is they probably have better instincts.”

Jeff Stoutland is the genius who continues to stir this complicated but beautiful mixture. He’s probably the best (and only) remaining gift given to this organization by Chip Kelly’s coaching era.

Fowler’s list is rounded out by five excellent players:  Rashawn Slater, Laremy Tunsil, Dion Dawkins, Christian Darrisaw, and Andrew Thomas. Kudos to the Birds on this list. They’ll be essential cogs in the Eagles‘ offensive machine again this season.