Eagles rookie Tyler Steen expected to make first career start vs. Cowboys
If there's one criticism that we have heard about the Philadelphia Eagles from time to time (there aren't many) it has been the occasional issue with developing the young guys. There's a theory that the need to spend the dough on free agents to plug holes comes from an inability to develop the guys that are drafted.
Frankly, we disgaree with that.
DeVonta Smith is a star. Landon Dickerson has already earned a Pro Bowl nod, and from where we're sitting, guys like Jalen Carter and Jordan Mailata are going to be good for a long time.
We can go on. You get the idea though.
Eagles rookie Tyler Steen is expected to make his first career start at right guard.
Few teams hit on all of their draft picks, and knowing the Birds have a few undrafted guys on their current roster who are making noise (Reed Blankenship, Britain Covey, Josh Jobe, and Eli Ricks for instance) is evidence that we can sleep well at night when pondering how well this team is developing its talent.
Cam Jurgens is another example. The expected successor to Jason Kelce's throne (once the legend wraps his career) has shown promise, but he's hurt. He's currently on injured reserve despite Philly's decision to open a 21-day practice window for him earlier this week.
Sua Opeta has dealt with a hip injury this week, and now, it appears that rookie Tyler Steen is expected to make his debut in the starting lineup at right guard. He took some first-team snaps later in the week. He has also looked good in limited action.
Here he is warming up ahead of Week 9's game versus the Dallas Cowboys.
Rookie Tyler Steen is working with OL coach Jeff Stoutland, RT Lane Johnson, and OL Julian Good-Jones. Steen appears to be in line to start today at RG, which would be his first NFL start. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/fLz2hj7nVZ
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) November 5, 2023
Tyler Steen warming up before the Cowboys game. Steen is expected to make his first career start. Will be the RG. pic.twitter.com/Jm9MN2IQiy
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) November 5, 2023
Steen is no slouch. Hailing from the mighty SEC. He spent four NCAA seasons with the Vanderbilt Commodores (2018-2022) before transferring to the Alabama Crimson Tide and earning Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2022.
Philly made him the 65th overall selection of the most recent NFL Draft during Round 3. We're expecting great things. We imagine he is as well. He's being tutored by the NFL's best offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, so we expect no discussions about issues with roper coaching.