Step Right Up

PHILADELPHIA — By the time Drew Kendall made his way to his locker stall after Wednesday’s practice, he was greeted by a mob of reporters and TV cameras waiting to hear from the Eagles’ presumed new addition to the starting lineup.

The second-year offensive lineman had already garnered plenty of buzz on the heels of a standout summer, but reality likely set in as Kendall turned to face his largest press scrum, probably, since his final season at Boston College, when Kendall was a first-team All-ACC center.

“How we doing?” he began, opening the floor for questions.

Second-year OL Drew Kendall is expected to play Sunday against the Titans with Landon Dickerson out.

While it’s uncertain where Kendall will align Sunday afternoon in Nashville, as the Eagles toggle the lineup in light of Landon Dickerson’s extended absence, the expectation is that Kendall will get the nod at guard or center.

“I’m just excited for any opportunity ahead,” he said. “We have a lot of good guys in our room. Everyone’s been cross-training at different positions throughout the summer. So, whatever the five is, I’m just excited, and try and contribute to this team and get our best five out there.”

If training camp was any indication, of the remaining healthy linemen Kendall would be included among the best five.

The 24-year-old, a center by trade, spent the vast majority of the summer cross-training at guard, showcasing enhanced technique and play strength. A compelling argument could be made that Kendall was the Eagles’ most improved players, at any position. His emergence was reflected in the volume of reps he took, an extension of the confidence and trust the team has in him.

In camp, Kendall was a second-team mainstay, though he would also moonlight on the first unit whenever it was determined that Dickerson needed a blow. He was also bumped to the starting lineup when Dickerson was afforded a pair of rest days.

All indications signaled to Kendall serving a critical role in Year 2 as the Eagles’ top interior reserve, a title previously held by since-departed veteran Brett Toth.

Maybe the most notable development in Kendall’s game was his power at the point of attack, which becomes even more pronounced with perceivably undersized players.

Perhaps in anticipation of a larger role, Kendall increased his body weight to 305 pounds. During the summer, Kendall pointed to nutrition in helping him “reshape” his body, putting on weight “in good ways.” It contributed to his on-field progress, which will now be put to the test.

As a rookie, Kendall totaled just 89 offensive snaps, 62 of which came in the regular season finale when starters rested. While there’s often no substitute for experience, Kendall has always been wired to prepare as starter, a mindset that was ingrained in him upon entering the NFL.

“Coach [Jeff] Stoutland, from the day I got here, always told me prepare like a starter, even when you’re not,” he explained. “So, just from the day I got here, just taking that advice, really honing in on that, making sure I’m dialed in all of last year to the game plan, even when I knew I might not get an opportunity. I feel like that really helped me get to a point where I feel comfortable.”

Of course, there are a few moves the Eagles can make in the offensive line configuration. The simplest would be inserting Kendall at left guard, a position he was exposed to considerably during the summer.

The Eagles could also elect to kick center Cam Jurgens over to left guard and place Kendall at center, where he started 34 games at Boston College. While Jurgens has never played left guard, the veteran has guard experience at the NFL level, starting 11 games for Eagles at right guard in 2023.

Then there’s the wildcard in fellow second-year lineman Willie Lampkin, who the team is also high on. Lampkin, like Kendall, cross-trained at both guard and center in camp, though Lampkin never worked with the first team, at least in the media-attended practices.

When asked which position he received repetitions at on Wednesday, Kendall was expectedly vague, keeping the team’s plans under wraps.

“I was doing a little bit of everything,” he said.” Of course, we’re trying to keep everything in-house. So, not trying to give out too much.”

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, speaking after cutdowns, mentioned his pre-camp curiosity in seeing how the interior offensive line depth “panned out.” With Kendall taking a big step forward, along with Lampkin and rookie Micah Morris, those questions were answered, instilling internal confidence for a future that begins earlier than expected.

“Those young guys and the growth that they showed, their ability to play in the passing game, in the run game,” Roseman said. “I mean, really, really excited about those guys, about being able to have those guys, being able to develop those guys, but at the same time, have confidence that if those guys need to play, that they’re ready to play.”

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles beat reporter for InsideTheBirds.com