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Selecting Lane Johnson in the 2013 NFL Draft was a better pick than you realize

By Geoffrey Knox

Nov 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson (65) gets ready to block Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson (65) gets ready to block Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Eagles selected offensive tackle Lane Johnson fourth in the 2013 NFL Draft, and even though it seemed like a great pick then, it’s even better than you realize.

Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly did a lot to ensure he’d be hated by some of the fans of this team forever, but, to be fair, he did leave some great pieces in place as well. When criticized, many come to his defense by pointing out that he drafted offensive tackle Lane Johnson of the Oklahoma Sooners. What some may not realize is that may not have been his first choice and Eagles fans are lucky that Johnson is here.

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It’s obvious that Kelly struggles with strong personalities. He doesn’t like conflict, though he can come off as a bit of a smart alec. He traded away every single player that he may have seen as having too much backbone (some were fan favorites). He wants total control of everything, again because he’s allergic to conflict.

Lane Johnson was the third OT taken in 2013, but he’s the best of the bunch – Brian Baldinger

During his tenure, Kelly also seemed to be trying to turn the Eagles into an NFL version of the Oregon Ducks. He brought in one too many of his former players in, whether through free agency (Patrick Chung), the draft (Josh Huff) or in an attempt to create competition at a position (Dennis Dixon).

The Eagles, in 2013, had the fourth pick in the draft. Three tackles were taken in the first four picks. The other selection was Dion Jordan who was a defensive end from, you guessed it, the Oregon Ducks. Anyone willing to guess where he might have ended up had he still been around when the Eagles were ready to pick at number four or if the Eagles had picked higher?

Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) prepares to pass rush in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) prepares to pass rush in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Since then, Jordan has accumulated 46 tackles, three sacks and three pass deflections, and he’s been suspended for several games in 2014 and the entire season of 2015 for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. Johnson also failed a test for performance-enhancing drugs in 2014 and was suspended for the first four games of that season. Other than that, he’s been lights out, and, in January, he signed a 6-year extension that would take him through the 2021 season.

In a recent article by Brian Baldinger of NFL.com, he spoke highly of Johnson and even went on to state “Lane Johnson was the third OT taken in 2013, but he’s the best of the bunch”. In his opinion, if the draft could be done over, knowing what we know now, Johnson would be taken first overall. Now that’s high praise.

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Whether Kelly had a moment of brilliance or if Eagles’ fans just got plain lucky is anyone’s guess, but if you truly are a fan of this team, you should all take a moment to thank the Miami Dolphins from saving this team from yet another first round draft blunder.

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