What is the Eagles' biggest red flag heading into 2021 NFL season?
The rebuilding Eagles have several offensive concerns heading into the 2021 NFL season, but the biggest red flag could be a surprise to some. Bleacher Report recently looked at the biggest red flag for all 32 NFL teams heading into the 2021 season and the offensive line was the biggest concern despite a second-year quarterback or inexperienced wide receiving corps. Now that Carson Wentz is in Indianapolis, the Philadelphia Eagles may soon hand the keys to 2020 second-round pick Jalen Hurts. If Hurts is going to succeed where Wentz failed last season, the second-year signal-caller will have to see improved offensive line play. The Eagles line was a disaster in 2020. It gave up a total of 65 sacks and allowed Hurts to be sacked 13 times even though he only started four games. Injuries and constant shuffling were a big part of the problem, as the Eagles used 14 different offensive line combinations, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. While the return of healthy tackles Andre Dillard and Lane Johnson should help some, only Johnson is guaranteed to waltz into a starting role. Dillard will face competition from Jordan Mailata, who was responsible for seven sacks and three penalties last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Oh, theres definitely one, offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland said of the left tackle competition, per Zangaro. While Philadelphia did add guard Landon Dickerson in the second round, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Eagles O-line. If the group is even close to as unreliable as it was a year ago, Hurts could be set up to fail from day one. If Dillard truly is the player they think he is, then the Eagles will have depth along the offensive line that truly does go 10-deep. LeRaven Clark and Landon Dickerson add size and depth to an already talented unit that developed players like Jack Driscoll, Sua Opeta, and Nate Herbig last season.