I think the depth expectations for OL seem unrealistic.

[Joey007]

It seems like OL depth has forever been a topic people want to scrutinize down to the bone regardless of the season.

This is the first time in quite a few years where the starting 5 feels clear. This is a really good thing. But the hand wringing now has shifted towards why the depth isn’t 3 deep on the interior/exterior.

We right now on the interior have one clear capable starter that can come off the bench in Van Roten. After that, it may depend on the health of Ben Brown and what version of him that we get.

At tackle, IF Marcus Bryant is healthy, I like what I’ve seen enough from him to be fine enough in a spot start situation. Plus Lomu is there, I don’t feel great about him playing now but he may prove to be more capable as the season goes along.

So that’s 2-4 depth options that feel like that can feasibly work. Would I like to have Philly’s line and have even more? Absolutely. But the reality is this is about as good of a depth situation as you’ll have compared to most situations in the league.

Most teams don’t have much starting caliber talent past their starting 5 right now. Many don’t even have a good starting 5. Go look at the Chargers and Commanders right now.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I have no idea how this is even a topic among media and posters when the starting 5 are mediocre at best.

 

[Joey007]

I have no idea how this is even a topic among media and posters when the starting 5 are mediocre at best.

Problem is we don’t have enough data on Campbell/Wilson to be conclusive. Need to see how Campbell looks healthy this year at LT and need to see how Wilson really looks at center. Obviously Campbell not getting better is the main concern.

I have no issue with saying the other 3 starters are quality when healthy.

 

[Clonamery]

It seems like OL depth has forever been a topic people want to scrutinize down to the bone regardless of the season.

This is the first time in quite a few years where the starting 5 feels clear. This is a really good thing. But the hand wringing now has shifted towards why the depth isn’t 3 deep on the interior/exterior.

We right now on the interior have one clear capable starter that can come off the bench in Van Roten. After that, it may depend on the health of Ben Brown and what version of him that we get.

At tackle, IF Marcus Bryant is healthy, I like what I’ve seen enough from him to be fine enough in a spot start situation. Plus Lomu is there, I don’t feel great about him playing now but he may prove to be more capable as the season goes along.

So that’s 2-4 depth options that feel like that can feasibly work. Would I like to have Philly’s line and have even more? Absolutely. But the reality is this is about as good of a depth situation as you’ll have compared to most situations in the league.

Most teams don’t have much starting caliber talent past their starting 5 right now. Many don’t even have a good starting 5. Go look at the Chargers and Commanders right now.

Bucs, Cowboys and Eagles among NFL's top offensive lines: A tiered look at big men up front of all 32 teams

Defenses are still finding ways to make the protection scheme of the offensive lines harder, but there aren't a ton of outright atrocious units. Even some teams that might be outright bad this year have a young, talented group of blockers.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Joey007]

Bucs, Cowboys and Eagles among NFL's top offensive lines: A tiered look at big men up front of all 32 teams

Defenses are still finding ways to make the protection scheme of the offensive lines harder, but there aren't a ton of outright atrocious units. Even some teams that might be outright bad this year have a young, talented group of blockers.

sports.yahoo.com

I don’t see that tier he listed above it being any better or worse than ours. All of them have strong spots with question marks.

Again, what Campbell and Wilson end up being in year 2 will greatly make a variance in what this line will be. It does have a low floor if certain things happen, but I think people are too hung up on what happened last January.

 

[Uptown]

I think we’ll be fine in pass protection. The real concern will be if we’re able to run efficiently & effectively; especially when we need to.

 

[rkarp1]

the OL depth issue really comes down to potential vs readiness.
Lomu, Bryant and Crownover might be good to very good OL in time, but really none have played an NFL snap
Van Roten is the oldest player on the team. Brown is injured
if the team carries 10 OL, that's your depth

 

[VrabelJr]

I have no idea how this is even a topic among media and posters when the starting 5 are mediocre at best.

we need a sophomore jump from Campbell and Wilson and AVT to be healthy all year just be a top 12 OL. If that doesn’t happen we’re somewhere around bottom 20-24.

 

[Clonamery]

I don’t see that tier he listed above it being any better or worse than ours. All of them have strong spots with question marks.

Again, what Campbell and Wilson end up being in year 2 will greatly make a variance in what this line will be. It does have a low floor if certain things happen, but I think people are too hung up on what happened last January.

Variance, cool word.

Lets have fun Thursday night watching the variance of the backups to the starters.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Obviously Campbell not getting better is the main concern.

Reports on him are all over the place. One day he looks "stronger". The next day he's getting "walked back" by Jacas. Another day is that his technique is "night and day" from his rookie season. Then he struggles again.

The media can’t pick a side. Opening night will tell us a lot.

 

[mgteich]

the OL depth issue really comes down to potential vs readiness.
Lomu, Bryant and Crownover might be good to very good OL in time, but really none have played an NFL snap
Van Roten is the oldest player on the team. Brown is injured
if the team carries 10 OL, that's your depth

For me, the issue is the starting line, getting better from worst (2024) to way below average (2025) to HOPEFULLY near average this year. We have prospects for 2027 in Crownover and Bryant. However, we need more serious help with the situations with the need to replace Moses and van Roten in addition to replacing or extending Onwenu.

I don't think that our depth is a huge issue. For me, the acquisition of van Roten was a huge step forward. We have a core 7 OL's that is much better than last year.

FIRST OFF THE BENCH
1) an NFL starter who started every game last season (van Roten)
2) our 1st round draft pick (Lomu)

BOTTOM OF THE ROSTER
3) a season JAG veteran who has started for us (Brown)
4) a backup who was active for almost all games last year (Bryant)

PRACTICE SQUAD
5) one each at C, G/T, and T and that should be adequate (Rizy, Conley, Crownover)