Battle For The Backups

Fueling the Eagles’ prolific rushing attack was a dominant offensive line comprised of Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton and Lane Johnson. Of that group, Dickerson, Jurgens and Johnson made Pro Bowls. Mailata and Johnson earned All-Pro selections. While Becton has since departed via free agency, the rest of the bunch will reprise their respective roles in 2025.

The expected newcomer at right guard, Tyler Steen, showed well last season when pressed into service and is equipped to effectively fill the vacancy in what will be a significant offseason for the third-year pro. Beyond the expected starting five? Well, the Eagles seemingly have no shortage of intriguing depth pieces.

With a host of new faces on the roster, and with competition in key areas at play, now is the time to begin brushing up on the various position groups.

Our position preview series continues with a comprehensive look beyond the expected starting unit on the offensive line.

GETTY IMAGES: With the starting OL basically entrenched, there will be plenty of jockeying this summer for backup spots.

Kendall Lamm

Lamm signed a one-year deal with the Eagles back in March and is the favorite to inherit the critical swing tackle role previously held by free-agent departure Fred Johnson. Lamm, 33, has appeared in 119 games, starting 44, over his stints with the Texans, Browns, Titans and Dolphins. In 2024, Lamm played in 15 games for the Dolphins, starting seven. Assuming Lamm performs in camp, the signing gives the Eagles a proven veteran to fulfill a valued game day role.

Matt Pryor

Pryor returns to the team that originally drafted him back in 2018 after spending four seasons away with the Colts, 49ers and Bears. Pryor last season started 15 of 17 games at right guard for the Bears, rolling up a career-high in snaps (1,006). The 30-year-old can play any position along the line with the exception of center and would appear to be Steen’s primary challenger. Given his experience (92 games, 39 starts) and versatility, Pryor should have an inside track for a depth role.

Kenyon Green

Green, 24, arrived in Philadelphia via the trade that sent C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans in hopes of reviving his career. A 2022 first-round pick, Green appeared in 27 games (23 starts) – he missed the 2023 season with a shoulder injury – but hasn’t yet lived up his billing. During the media-attended spring practices, Green repped at both guard positions. While we haven’t yet seen Green in live action, the fourth-year pro feels like a primary candidate to take over the key reserve role Steen held last season. Perhaps a summer at Stoutland University gets him back on track.

Trevor Keegan

Drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round in 2024, Keegan appeared in one game as a rookie, recording 35 snaps at guard. The 24-year-old brings toughness and physicality and can play an interior position (at the Senior Bowl, Keegan repped at center), which should give him a boost in training camp. They’ll be more competition this time around, though, with Pryor and Green among the names in the mix for spots, but Keegan now has a year under his belt – and familiarity with the coaching staff.

Darian Kinnard

A Reserve/Future signing last offseason, Kinnard, a 2022 fifth-round pick of the Chiefs, performed well enough in camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Kinnard appeared in two games last season (one start), logging a total of 71 snaps. The inclusion of Kinnard on the 53 amid a stockpiled group of offensive linemen suggests the team saw developmental qualities worth investing in. A right tackle by trade, Kinnard has also shown the ability to kick inside and rep at guard, an appealing commodity for a depth player aiming to stand apart. If you’re looking for a dark horse roster candidate in this group, Kinnard fits the bill. Plus, Kinnard is also the team’s resident ping-pong champion!

Brett Toth

A jack of all trades, Toth returns for his eighth NFL season. The 6-foot-4, 304-pound Toth originally joined the Eagles in 2018 as a rookie free agent and has had an extended stay on the Eagles’ practice squad, where he spent the 2024 season. A favorite of Stoutland, Toth brings practice value, as he’s shown an ability to play every position on the line. Experience and versatility aside, the path to a roster spot will be challenging. Smart and technical, it wouldn’t surprise me if Toth becomes a coach somewhere down the line.

Drew Kendall (R)

The son of long-time NFL lineman Pete Kendall, Drew joins the Eagles as a 2025 fifth-round pick out of Boston College. Kendall, who started 37 games at Boston College, offers C/G optionality, though his primary role will almost assuredly be at center, where I’m expecting Kendall to serve as the immediate backup behind Jurgens. While Toth handled the first-team reps this spring with Jurgens recovering from back surgery, it feels inevitable that Kendall at some point leap frogs him. Strong Day 3 pick for the Eagles.

Myles Hinton (R)

The son of seven-time Pro Bowler lineman Chris Hinton, Myles joins the Eagles as a 2025 sixth-round pick. Hinton, who began his collegiate career at Stanford before transferring to Michigan, started 10 games at left tackle for the Wolverines last season and measures in at 6-foot-6, 323 pounds. Hinton has the qualities teams look for in developmental tackles and may also have the versatility to kick inside. Assuming Hinton shows well this summer, it’ll be easy to envision the 23-year-old as the Eagles’ swing tackle of the future.

Cameron Williams (R)

A raw, albeit intriguing prospect, Williams joins the Eagles as a 2025 sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Williams boasts tantalizing length athleticism and shined at Texas as a run blocker. He appeared to move fairly well during spring practices. Williams’ game is in need of refinement, but the upside is evident. A summer at Stoutland University should serve him well in his roster bid.

Hollin Pierce (R)

Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 341 pounds, Pierce possesses imposing size to go along with a decorated college career as a star tackle at Rutgers. The 2025 rookie free agent joins a crowded house at his position and may need to showcase positional versatility to garner roster consideration. For what it’s worth, I had a fifth-round grade on Pierce.

Marcus Tate (R)

Tate, who originally participated in the Eagles’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, started 37 games (42 games) for the Clemson Tigers over his four-year career, including 10 games last season. Tate saw most of his work at left guard for the Tigers but also offers tackle versatility. The 6-foot-5, 321-pounder underwent reconstructive surgery after the 2024 season to repair an MCL and MPFL and worked off to the side during the media-attended spring practices.

Laekin Vakalahi

Vakalahi (6-5, 320), who played junior rugby league in Australia, was discovered by Eagles’ international scout Chris Naeole, who worked Vakalahi out in New Zealand. Raw and athletic with prototypical size, Vakalahi was given the international exemption and spent the 2024 season on the Eagles’ practice squad. Interested to see how the 22-year-old returns following a year of sitting in meetings and working with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.