7 free agent offensive tackle options for the Eagles following Andre Dillard’s injury

With Andre Dillard set to miss the 2020 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line depth is looking pretty shaky.

Jason Peters is an obvious replacement for Dillard at left tackle but what happens when Peters inevitably has to miss playing time? Jordan Mailata is the top backup option behind him right now and that’s pretty worrisome.

The Eagles should be looking into adding more veteran depth at tackle. The options are hardly very inspiring and plentiful, which is to be expected at this time of year. Nevertheless, here are some guys the Eagles could sign.

LaAdrian Waddle

First mentioned Waddle as a potential Eagles free agent target back in March. What I wrote at the time:

Waddle has tackle/guard versatility and 31 starts in 61 games played. Eight of those starts came as an undrafted rookie on Jim Schwartz’s Lions in 2013.

I should also add that Waddle made 24 starts in 30 games played under former Lions offensive line coach and current Eagles director of player personnel/senior defensive assistant Jeremiah Washburn. There’s some level of familiarity here.

The Lions traded Waddle to the New England Patriots and he served as a valuable swing tackle for them as they won two Super Bowl title while he was on the team. Safe to say they couldn’t have done it without him.

Waddle was lining up as the Buffalo Bills’ second team left tackle during 2019 offseason practices before suffering a season-ending quad injury last August. One would think he’s healthy by now.

Waddle only turned 29 in June so he should have plenty of tread left on the tires. He looks like a good swing tackle option to me.

Greg Robinson

The No. 2 overall pick from the 2014 NFL Draft clearly didn’t live up to lofty expectations but he’s still managed to hang around in the league. Robinson has logged 70 starts in 83 career games played. He ranked 42nd out of 89 offensive tackles graded by Pro Football Focus last year in 14 starts with the Cleveland Browns. Not an ideal starter but you could do worse at backup offensive tackle. He also doesn’t turn 28 until October. For context, Dillard turns 25 in October.

Hm. Why is Robinson still available? Oh, totally forgot about this:

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson is reportedly facing federal drug charges after being arrested on Monday at a boarder checkpoint between the United States and Mexico, according to TMZ Sports.

Maybe not the most realistic option.

Donald Penn

Truth be told, I don’t see this 37-year-old signing to be a backup. As a three-time Pro Bowler with 189 starts in 194 games under his belt, Penn probably believes such a role is beneath him. He could be a more realistic option if Peters suffers an injury that requires him to miss an extended period of time. Penn ranked 50th out of 89 tackles graded by PFF in 15 starts for Washington last year.

Marshall Newhouse

Newhouse, who turns 32 next month, made nine starts in 15 games played with the Patriots last season. He graded 56th out of 89 offensive tackle. Newhouse has experience at both tackle spots in addition to right guard, so he’s a versatile option.

Cordy Glenn

Glenn turns 31 next month and had 95 starts in 97 games played. The veteran left tackle most recently made five starts in six games with the Cincinnati Bengals last season. PFF had him graded 36th out of 89 tackles. Could be worth checking in.

Jordan Mills

Mills has made a career playing right tackle with 84 starts in 90 games played. Not an ideal fit with the Eagles needing a guy with left tackle experience. But if the Eagles are comfortable with moving Lane Johnson to the left side and installing Mills on the right, well, that’s when he becomes an option.

Joe Staley

The long-time San Francisco 49ers retired earlier this offseason and has dropped a lot of weight. So, not a super realistic option, I included him here in case people thought he was a viable one.

VERDICT

I just don’t see how the Eagles could feel very comfortable with Mailata or one of their rookies — Jack Driscoll or Prince Tega Wanogho — playing left tackle when Peters goes down. If it were up to me, I’d be looking to sign a veteran swing tackle like Waddle.

What say you?