Beyond the X's and O's: Mastery of the Eagles' Elite Offensive Line
The NFL is a league where the trenches are a battleground, and in Philadelphia, the offensive line plays a pivotal role in the team's quest for glory. At the helm is Nick Sirianni, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, who has not been shy in expressing his admiration for his formidable offensive linemen. Among these giants are tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, each setting their own benchmarks in the league.
At the age of 27, Jordan Mailata emerges as an exceptional talent, universally recognized as one of the shining stars in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, Mailata boasts an impressive grade of 94.9, positioning him as the highest-graded tackle in the league. His proficiency doesn't end there; Mailata excels with a run blocking grade of 94.2 and a pass blocking grade of 91.5. Such outstanding performance has placed him at the top in run blocking and second in pass blocking.
This season has seen Mailata virtually impenetrable, having allowed just a single sack and eight pressures over the course of 260 pass-blocking snaps. Posting a pressure rate per dropback of just 3.1%, Mailata ranks a commendable tenth among all NFL offensive tackles in this metric.
Sirianni’s appreciation of his player is echoed by teammate and fellow tackle Lane Johnson, who recently praised Mailata's extraordinary journey from non-football origins to becoming, in Johnson's words, “the best left tackle in football.” He further elaborated, “From coming from where he was, not playing any football to the best left tackle in football I think. I don't think anybody can run block the way he can and pass pro, first time anybody that size that can move the way it does.” Johnson didn’t hold back in his admiration, noting, “Usually you have guys 370, 365, they can't move. He can do it all.”
But it's not just the younger talents drawing plaudits. Lane Johnson himself stands as a paragon of consistency and excellence. At 34, Johnson commands the league’s best pressure rate allowed per dropback at a mere 1.7%. This makes the Eagles the only team in the NFL with both tackles graded in the top 10 by Pro Football Focus, a distinction shared only with the Denver Broncos in having both tackles ranked among the elite.
Johnson’s recognition of Mailata’s burgeoning prowess comes with a seasoned acknowledgment of what it takes to ascend to elite status. “He's on his way and he knows it. We've all known it. We've seen him progress over the years. But yeah, he's, he's premier, he's elite,” said Johnson, capturing both the current performance and the future promise inherent in Mailata’s game.
Sirianni himself highlights Mailata’s dual-threat capabilities in the midst of the Eagles' offensive schemes, “He's playing really good football. Yeah, he is powerful in the run game.” Johnson playfully but insightfully assessed what might stand in the way of Mailata’s rise, quipping, "Hamstring or a f---ing gun," a nod to the durability and toughness required in the trenches.
The Philadelphia Eagles are clearly blessed with a formidable offensive line foundation, showcasing a blend of youth in Mailata and veteran savvy in Johnson. The commitment to excellence from these two tackles, backed by their coach's faith, is a testament to their dedication, skill, and strategic importance. Under Sirianni's leadership, the Eagles' offense benefits profoundly from this pair, equipped to handle and dominate the manifold challenges posed by a demanding NFL season.
As the Eagles stride forward, with Johnson and Mailata leading their line, the team appears poised for continued success. Their interplay of strength, skill, and strategy continues to be a linchpin in Philadelphia’s aspirations, sparking both awe and aspiration in equal measure.