The Philadelphia Eagles look like they’ll be starting Aussie offensive lineman, Jordan Mailata, in their preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Even though we won’t know what their decision will be until game time; Mailata starting looks likely with starting right tackle Lane Johnson out with a calf injury.
The Eagles’ started the hulking linemen (6ft 8 and 157 kilos) at right tackle in their preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.
It’s clear that the Eagles want to get a read on how far he’s come. Last week Mailata played 53/57 snaps in their game against the Titans.
But this week he’ll have his hands full with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive line. The Jaguars’ defence was ranked number six last year, and number one in 2017 according to football outsiders.
Although Mailata won’t be up against the full force of the Jags’ defensive front, he’ll be asked more questions than he was against the Titans.
Mailata, a former South Sydney Rabbitohs junior, has shown immense signs of improvement since being drafted by the Eagles (pick #233 of the 2018 draft) without ever playing a snap of American football. Last week was his best performance yet. Though despite being physically dominant, he still showed his rawness with some mental errors.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Eagles head coach, Doug Pederson, said during a press conference at training camp on August 10 that Mailata “did some good things….we were pleased with his performance” but added that “it wasn’t perfect, there were one or two there, mental errors.”
It’s clear he’s making strides during training camp. This week during the Eagles’ practice he was taking reps with the first team offense in drills, and in the offensive lineman/defensive linemen one on ones he was able to hold his own against defensive end Brandon Graham a former first round draft pick (Pick #13 in the 2010 draft).
His biggest hurdle is now getting his football IQ up to speed as he may be called upon to protect Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz (who’s currently worth USD $25.7 million per year) during the regular season.
Wentz, despite being an MVP-level quarterback in 2017 has been unable to rediscover his best form after suffering season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons.
It’s crucial that Jordan Mailata performs at his best in the next three preseason games to solidify his spot as Lane Johnson’s backup and a show the Eagles’ coaching staff that he can be trusted to protect the team’s most valuable asset.
The Eagles play the Jaguars at 9am AEST on Friday the 16th of August.
lewl
Guest
They just drafted Dillard and Lane Johnson only just turned 29... it would take something remarkable for Mailata to get a real shot as a starter at the Eagles. Johnson will still be 32 when it's second contract time.. and Wentz won't be on a rookie deal anymore, so even a wizard like Roseman is going to be hard up maneuvering his cap around. I doubt the Eagles will want to be paying the full whack (even 'cheaper' - forget really cheap, that ain't happening if he's good) for a swing tackle. Trade for a day 2/early day 3 pick and re-invest in another tackle to develop in that role? Seems more likely to me. The Eagles only spent a 7th on him, after all... it's not like it was a significant investment beyond a roster spot (which would have gone to a 4th tackle that most teams use as a development spot anyway).
Blightor
Guest
I dont think so - the only way he gets to another team is if they cut him.. You don't spend the time developing a player like this on a really friendly contract, only to trade him away. If he is good enough to be in the league then its unlikely that he goes anywhere else. Personally I expect that if he does a decent job at the fundamentals this year and gets games under his belt, then the eagles will push to extend his contract earlier rather than later - because he will still be really cheap.
LHK
Roar Rookie
He played well against the Jags but did get put on his backside Josh Allen who's alot smaller than Mailata, and he had one or two assignment errors. He also looks abit lost after completing his inital blocks, but all that is just expeirence. I think the Eagles and particularly Jeff Stoutland will want to keep both Mailata and Dillard to eventually be replacements for Peters and Johnson. But I wouldn't be surprised if in the next year or two a team desperate for 0-linemen (I'm looking at you Houston) trade a 5th or 4th round pick for him.
lewl
Guest
I think Mailata is pretty much a lock to make the Eagles roster at this point, as the number 4 tackle. Big V's move to guard looks to be going well, so I imagine he'll be competing for the starting LG role with Seumalo and Wisniewski, leaving just 4 realistic options at tackle. Vaitai didn't have it at tackle, anyway, tbh. Seemed to give up stupid amounts of pressure. Mailata's going to have to wait to actually play real games, though. Peters retiring in the next year or two would still only bring him to the swing tackle role - I imagine it will be on his 2nd contract (or after a pre-4th year trade which could net some nice net benefit for the Eagles) that he gets significant game time.