With the recent news that starting left guard Landon Dickerson is going on IR, widespread speculation seemingly points to Drew Kendall inheriting the job in Dickerson's absence.
And while that seems to be the consensus among the talking heads hovering outside the Jefferson Health Training Complex, those inside the building have been keeping the next step quite secret.
Both Kendall and fellow backup Willie Lampkin have been cross-training at center and guard, making versatility an equally strong shared asset. The strides made by both throughout the summer months have been highlighted here in depth, making this anything but a closed case when it comes to predicting who will stick in the starting lineup, not only in week 2, but well beyond.
Drew Kendall makes sense for Eagles, but Willie Lampkin could make more of an impact
Kendall, the second-year lineman out of Boston College, has shown remarkable growth from Year 1 to the present. His lineage and football DNA are undeniable, and the maturity and drive he has shown in morphing from a wild card as a rookie to a solid, game-ready lineman in Year 2 is commendable. Of course, the remarks made by Jordan Davis this summer, citing Kendall as one of his favorite sleepers on the team and someone he feels is "shaping up to be a great player," carry plenty of weight as well.
He's grown by leaps and bounds, and while Kendall has certainly earned the opportunity, Lampkin could elevate the overall ability of this unit to dominate in the trenches.
While Kendall's ascension has been a major talking point for all the right reasons, Lampkin's rise has been equally impressive. As someone who had to claw his way onto the 53-man roster, the undersized wrecking ball has dropped jaws and defensive linemen since he first suited up in midnight green.
As head coach Nick Sirianni and his teammates have attested, Lampkin has continually soaked up everything they have thrown his way in practice, and not only that, he has cross-trained at both guard and center while showcasing elite blocking skills in both practice and throughout preseason action.
Lampkin played a nearly flawless preseason slate, allowing zero sacks this summer while routinely getting to the second level. His tenacity and his quickness stand out on tape, and inserting the 5-foot-11, 290-pound mauler at guard could jolt a unit that struggled on the interior in Week 1.
We've discussed how both Kendall and Lampkin are worthy of starting duties, as starting center Cam Jurgens clearly has to step his game back up after a shaky opener against Washington. The hope remains that Jurgens can rebound long-term, but two openings could open up in the near future if things don't shape up on the interior.
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For now, one spot is up for grabs, and while two fast-rising backups have done nothing but impress, Lampkin deserves the first call to action.
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