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Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line to excel in 2017

By Ryan Quigley

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson (65) and tackle Jason Peters (71) celebrate a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson (65) and tackle Jason Peters (71) celebrate a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line will be an area of strength in 2017.

It wasn’t too long ago that the offensive line was considered a weak spot for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Going into 2017, though, the Eagles could have one of the top lines in the entire NFL.

Pro Football Focus recently singled out the Eagles’ offensive line as one of the potentially elite units in the league. At the end of the 2016 season, PFF’s Sam Monson expressed his confidence in the future of Philadelphia’s O-line.

"The Eagles line would have been far higher on this list if RT Lane Johnson could avoid getting himself suspended. Johnson is arguably the game’s best right tackle, but was suspended for 10 games, forcing the team to use fifth round rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Allen Barbre and then Matt Tobin at right tackle as injuries prevented a settled unit. New import Brandon Brooks was excellent in his first season with the Eagles, allowing just one sack all season at guard and narrowly missing out on a spot on the PFF All-Pro team. Between injury and suspension, the Eagles were disrupted pretty significantly up front, and this unit has the potential to be better than they showed overall this year."

Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles /

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ O-line had a tremendous start to the 2016 season. During the team’s 3-0 start to the season, the offensive line was a nearly impenetrable wall in front of quarterback Carson Wentz, who was sacked only four times and earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors in September.

Then Lane Johnson got suspended. The Eagles would lose nine of their next 11 games and miss out on the playoffs largely due to his absence.

With him back, though, it’s hard not to buy in on the 2017 offensive line. The Eagles were 5-1 in the games Johnson played last season. Jason Peters remains a Pro Bowl (and eventual Hall of Fame) talent at left tackle and with the emergence of guard Isaac Seumalo and tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, the Eagles have newfound depth at the position.

It may only be June, but it’s hard not to be excited about the guys blocking for Carson Wentz in 2017.

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