Adrian Fedkiw
The Philadelphia Eagles weren’t kidding about loading up on offensive linemen this offseason.
Oregon State’s Isaac Seumalo, who has versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line, was the Eagles’ third-round pick (No. 79 overall) Friday night.
Welcome to Philadelphia, Isaac Seumalo!#EaglesDraft | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/hwno0CYcq4
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 30, 2016
Of his 37 career starts, 23 came at center, nine at right guard, three at left tackle and a pair on the other side at right tackle. He’s more suited to play inside as opposed to the outside. Pro Football Focus really likes Seumalo.
I have no idea if the kid can play, but this mob mentality is stupid. Pro Football Focus's evaluation of Seumalo: pic.twitter.com/jGLyLikqCZ
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) April 30, 2016
Brandon Brooks and Stefen Wisniewski’s were brought in by the Eagles during the offseason. Brooks is the definite starter at right guard, but there will be a huge Training Camp battle at left guard. Seumalo will be in the mix along with Wisniewski, last year’s starter Allen Barbre, early 2015 season starter Andrew Gardner and Malcolm Bunche.
It’s interesting that Wisniewski and Seumalo’s strengths are at center. They provide insurance for Jason Kelce, who struggled mightily in 2015. And at just 280-plus pounds, Kelce may have a tough time adjusting to playing more power football under Doug Pederson. The starting center for the Chiefs last year, Mitch Morse, for example was 305 pounds.
Like Morse, Wisniewski weighs in at 305 and Seumalo is 303.
Will Kelce make it through the entire season as the starting center?
It’s the first time the Eagles have taken an offensive lineman since picking Lane Johnson fourth overall in 2013. Chip Kelly was the only head coach who didn’t take one the last two years heading into this year’s draft. Fitting he traded up in the first round Thursday night to select mammoth Stanford guard Joshua Garnett.
And OF COURSE he’d take a Duck in the first round, picking projected 3-4 defensive end DeForest Buckner of Oregon.
Quack Quack.
Do I like the Sumalo pick? The Eagles definitely need offensive line help. I like that Seumalo’s versatile. The third round feels like a reach, but without a fourth-round pick maybe that’s why they pulled the trigger. Braxton Miler and Leonte Carroo were still available to add some depth to the wide receiving core. Kenneth Dixon and Paul Perkins are still on the board at running back. Baylor’s Andrew Billings is still out there, which is surprising, but the Eagles’ strength is at defensive tackle. Bennie Logan is a free agent at the end of the year, however.
Like I said before, the Eagles don’t have a fourth-rounder but will pick twice in the fifth. Maybe that’s when they pull the trigger on a wideout.