Recently, the Cowboys and Eagles have set the pace in the NFC East with quality offensive line play. This offseason, the Giants and Redskins aimed to close that gap. The 2015 season may very well mark the return of old-school offensive football in the NFC East.

*We credit Pro Football Focus, STATS and Football Outsiders in assessment of past performances in the offensive linemen outlined below

Philadelphia Eagles

By most measures, the Eagles have rolled out a Top 10 offensive line over the last two years. Coupled with the pace of the offense, they’ve been downright dominant at times.

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Interestingly, as the rest of the division has been furiously building lines through the NFL Draft, the Eagles haven’t drafted a single offensive lineman in the past two years. Perhaps success breeds complacency. Or, as some might might say, ‘it’s all part of Chip’s cockamamie plan.’ A plan which includes converting two career-journeyman tackles to guard.

Apparently, letting long-time offensive guards Todd Herremans and Evan Mathis go was also part of his plan. Herremans had been in significant decline in recent years, while Mathis was still playing like a beast.

After opting not to bolster the unit in free agency or the draft – you get the feeling the Eagles may have over-played their hand here. The depth chart has been depleted, and the guard positions have been weakened. However, we tend to give Kelly the benefit of the doubt as one of the league’s true forward-thinkers – and the fact remains that this group is anchored by two stud offensive tackles and an excellent center. Injury is a real threat, but as it stands, this is still no less than an A- / B+ unit to begin the season.

Projected Starting Lineup

Jason Peters, LT 6’4″ 328 pounds- May be the best player on the team, arguably the best LT in the game, 33 years old but playing at an extremely high level

Allen Barbre, LG 6’4″ 310 pounds- 31 years old, started only 8 games in his career, Eagles are his 4th NFL team, may have some upside as a converted tackle, was a 4th-round pick in 2007

Jason Kelce, C 6’3″ 295 pounds- 6th-round pick in 2011 and has started since Day 1, blossomed in to a top 10 center in years three and four

Andrew Gardner, RG 6’6″ 308 pounds- Third NFL team, started 8 games in 2014 in his first year with Philadelphia, a converted OT who played serviceably at OG in 8 games started, going to compete with Matt Tobin for this spot, 6th-round pick in 2009

Lane Johnson, RT 6’6″ 317 pounds- 4th pick of 2013 NFL Draft, stud athlete coming out of OU and a member of the second-annual RosterWatch All-Senior Bowl roster, has LT potential to replace Peters in the future, was average as a rookie, broke out as a top shelf RT in 2014

Notes-

Philly is going to have to turn back to the draft to add to this unit over the next few years. If they don’t, it’s going to catch up with them. For now, barring injury, this group is still very good.

We have some concerns about interior pass protection – although we likely won’t be recommending Sam Bradford or Mark Sanchez as anything more than a QB2 to begin the season anyways. If Bradford’s mobility is limited – and you’d be crazy to expect it not to be – interior disruption could become a real problem. It will be interesting to see if Chip’s ploy to move two tackles inside pays off with increased pass protection. Whichever QB is pulling the trigger in Philly will be worth keeping on your watch list as a weekly risk/reward play who could develop in to a legitimate option as the season progresses. Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor will be the wide receivers you want to draft.

As for DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews, the outlook is positive from the perspective of the offensive line. This unit is especially strong on the edges, and Murray with his 4.4 speed should be highly effective getting to the tackles.

The depth chart behind the starters is almost all undrafted free agents with little or no experience. This is not a group that can survive much attrition:

Josh Andrews- 0 starts
Malcolm Bunch- UDFA 2015 6’6″ 320 OT / OG convert
David Molk- RD7 2012- played poorly in 4 starts last yr at C
Matt Tobin- 2013 UDFA struggled in 7 starts last yr, 6’6″ 290
Kevin Graf- 6’6″ 309- no starts- UDFA 2014