Rumors of Eagles perceived interest in 1st-round interior lineman increase

It’s a common discussion when conversations about the NFL Draft arise. Should teams organize their selection strategies in accordance with team needs or do they simply look at their board and take the best player that’s available? It’s hard to know what the Philadelphia Eagles are thinking sometimes, but as we get closer to the end of April, you can best believe that this will again be a discussion, even if fans and members of the media have lost faith in this team’s ability to make decent draft-day decisions.

Some will argue that, in 2021, there were better options than Jalen Reagor at his position (and they’re right for doing so). Heck, Philly could have gone with a defensive target at any position and probably come out better. Reag remains one of the Eagles’ poster children for bad player evaluation. 2021’s class looks a little better though, and thank goodness for that.

Philly found stars early. They found others later on Day 3 (we think Tarron Jackson is going to make major moves). In short, vice president/general manager has earned himself a bit of a reprieve. That won’t last long though.

The refrain is familiar. The Eagles must nail this draft, especially in the first round, traditionally Howie’s Achilles heel. People have asked that a linebacker be taken. Some have asked for an EDGE star, but there’s a growing theory and desire that the Birds go with a talented offensive lineman, and guess what? That could be the safest play.

Could the Eagles be looking at a possible successor for Jason Kelce?

When it’s all said and done, when Jason Kelce‘s career is over (and hopefully, that’s later than sooner), he’ll go down as one of the most beloved Birds in franchise history. Still, with that being said, there must be some sort of succession plan in place.

It’s not like this hasn’t been discussed before. Some have said that Isaac Seumalo will slide over. Others point to Landon Dickerson and throw themselves behind the idea of him being the next anchor of the Eagles’ offensive line.

There’s another theory that’s being tossed around now. What happens if former Iowa Hawkeyes star Tyler Linderbaum slides toward the middle of Round 1 on draft night? Projected as a top-five pick by some and a top-ten target by others, there are some recent mocks that send the 2021 Rimington Trophy winner, an award that’s given to the most outstanding center in college football, to the City of Brotherly Love with one of those first-round picks.

Here are the theories of CBS Sports. Chris Trapasso sends Linderbaum to Philly at 15. Thank CBS Sports’ YouTube channel for this one.

Trapasso isn’t alone in this theory. Inside The Iggles‘ resident film junkie, Hunter Doyle, sends Linderbaum to the Birds at 15 as well. Tyler goes 16th in a mock done by Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network.

Taking a center isn’t the sexiest pick, but it works. If the Birds go with the ‘best player available’ approach and Tyler is on the board, he shouldn’t be ignored.

In addition to taking home the Rimington Trophy in 2021, Linderbaum added another First-team All-Big Ten nod to his resume (his second in two seasons). Add that to the Rimington–Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year Award and a nod as a Unanimous All-American.

You hate to heap accolades on guys like calling them a ‘sure thing’, but that totally applies here. This is a sure thing. We might be talking ourselves into it. Taking Tyler Linderbaum in Round 1 could be a no-brainer for the Eagles if he’s available. They nabbed the best interior lineman in 2021’s NFL Draft. We could see a little deja vu in 2022.