The Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Chip Kelly chose to part ways with veteran right guard Todd Herremans this offseason as part of a larger roster turnover that has seen a number of longstanding members of the organization head to new football homes.
The evolution to a team built completely in Kelly's image most likely won't be fully completed this offseason, but steps will undoubtedly continue to be taken. Next on the docket for Kelly and the Eagles is a reported attempt to trade away last season's starting left guard Evan Mathis while at the NFL's annual Owner's Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona this week.
Mathis, 33, is slated to make $6.5 million next season and while his consistently strong play warrants a fairly high cap number, he plays a position where Kelly seems to think he can get adequate-to-good performance without allocating top dollar.
Should the effort to move Mathis prove successful, will Kelly then look to the 2015 NFL Draft to plug two major holes on his offensive line?
"It wouldn't be a surprise if the Eagles targeted an offensive lineman in the first round," writes Chris Steuber of CSN Philly. "The release of Todd Herremans and the trade rumors surrounding Evan Mathis suggest the Eagles want to get younger and add versatility up front."
Iowa's Brandon Scherff (6-foot-5, 319-pounds) would presumably be a perfect fit for Kelly's preference for maulers able to excel in a zone-blocking scheme.
"Scherff is a strong, physical lineman who has a nasty demeanor and is deceptively athletic. He would give the Eagles flexibility, as he can line up at tackle or guard. However, he's another prospect the Eagles would have to trade up for, as he's expected to be a top-15 selection," writes Steuber.
While there has been ample consideration given to the potential for the Eagles to move up in the draft, it hasn't been posited previously that they would do so in order to land an offensive lineman. Still, Kelly is said to value his offensive line above even the skill positions in his offense, so targeting a player he sees as a starting guard and potential future tackle for the next decade, even if it requires the additional investment that comes along with a move up, may be worth the excess value.
Jake Fisher (6-foot-6, 306-pounds) a guard, tackle prospect out of Oregon - of course - could be a fantastic addition for the Eagles in the second round, though it again may require a move up from their allocated spot in the second or a move back from the 20th spot in the first in order to align value and need - though that may cease to be a matter of consideration in the Chip Kelly era.
"Well, there has to be at least one Duck on this list, right? All kidding aside, if the Eagles want to find an eventual replacement for Jason Peters, who turned 33 in January, Fisher possesses the athleticism and technique needed to succeed. He still has room to grow physically and needs to be more disciplined with his hand placement, but there's a lot of upside and versatility in his game that will undoubtedly entice Kelly to select him," writes Steuber.
Much like wide receiver, Kelly and the Eagles, barring major trades prior to April, seem set to enter the 2015 NFL Draft with holes to fill along the offensive line.
It's an often questionable proposition to go into the draft with several roster spots in dire need of additions, but as we've already seen, Kelly is a coach prone to doing things his own way.
Why should the draft and, really, personnel in general, be any different?
