PHILADELPHIA -- With the free agency period and the NFL draft behind us, it seems like a good time to take a position-by-position look at the Philadelphia Eagles' roster. Let's switch over to the offensive side, beginning with the guys up front.
Offensive line
The very first draft choice of the Chip Kelly era was offensive tackle Lane Johnson. Since taking Johnson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 draft, the Eagles have not drafted a single offensive lineman. Meanwhile, Kelly seems determined to change the makeup of his line, releasing right guard Todd Herremans and talking as if he is set to move on from left guard Evan Mathis.
This combination of factors -- the lack of drafted linemen and the desire to bring in some new faces -- has made undrafted free agents very important to the Eagles' plans. After two years when the Eagles' fortunes seemed tied to the health of their starting linemen, Kelly wants change in Year 3.
The star: Kelly has referred to left tackle Jason Peters as a “Hall of Famer” and that may not be much of a stretch. It is interesting that the seven-time Pro Bowler began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent tight end in Buffalo. If the Eagles could develop some of their other undrafted players as successfully, they'd be in good shape.
The problem with all of that is that Peters, at 33, is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. He bounced back from tearing his Achilles tendon to play all 16 games in 2014. If there was any dropoff in his performance, it was slight and likely had as much to do with the instability at left guard after Mathis was injured early in the season.
While Peters appears poised for another strong season, Kelly needs to have a succession plan in place. There has been talk of moving Johnson from right tackle to left tackle, which solves one problem while creating another.
The supporting cast: Johnson played well after serving his four-game suspension for using a performance-enhancing substance. He gives Kelly a bookend, along with Peters, at either end of the line. Center Jason Kelce, who was selected for his first Pro Bowl, is another key piece in the middle of the line. Kelce provides rare athleticism and superior smarts at the center spot.
If Mathis returns, he locks down the left guard position. The situation is a bit like Peters' at left tackle. Mathis is 33, as well. He is a regular in the Pro Bowl, but missed seven games last season with a sprained knee. At some point, Kelly needs to prepare a replacement for Mathis.
Looking ahead: Assuming Mathis will be at left guard, the Eagles can integrate Allen Barbre at right guard without too much disruption of the line's chemistry. Because of Herremans' season-ending biceps injury, the line played with Andrew Gardner at right guard for half of the 2014 season.
If Mathis is not there, that will create a bit more adjustment. At center, Kelce will be flanked by two different guards. And each tackle will have to get in sync with a new partner. Peters has more experience. Johnson relied on the veteran Herremans more in 2013. Because of Herremans' injury, Johnson had to adjust to lineup changes last year.
Kelly said Barbre, who missed most of last season with a high ankle sprain, would get the first look at right guard. Gardner, Matt Tobin and Dennis Kelly all played guard at some point last season. That gives Kelly a pool of talent to draw from.
This year's undrafted rookie class also includes some offensive line talent: New Hampshire's Mike Coccia and UCLA's Malcolm Bunche, who both grew up as Eagles fans, could win jobs with strong training camps.
