Another Biggie

Posted: March 27th, 2025 | Author: Tommy Lawlor

The Eagles lost a big dude when 6-7, 360 Mekhi Becton left in free agency. We know Jeff Stoutland likes big blockers so it isn’t a surprise that the Eagles signed 6-7, 330 Matt Pryor on Thursday.

Pryor was drafted by the Eagles in 2018. He started 10 games in 2020, when the Eagles OL was a disaster due to injuries. Pryor was…not good. In the summer of 2021 Pryor was traded to the Colts, where he started 14 games in two years. Pryor went to SF in 2023 and then the Bears last year. He started 15 games for them, playing both RG and RT.

Why would the Eagles want Pryor? He is a better player now than he was back then. Pryor started 29 games and got valuable experience. He is a functional RG. With his size, he can be an effective RT, but would need help. He’s not someone you want starting multiple games out there. You wonder if watching Becton at RG made Stoutland want to get a bigger body in there.

I’m unsure of how to project the Eagles OL right now.

LT – J Mailata … K Lamm
LG – L Dickerson … K Green
OC – C Jurgens
RG – T Steen … M Pryor … T Keegan
RT – L Johnson … D Kinnard

This isn’t really a big deal. 4 of the 5 starters are set. There will be 2 or 3 guys competing for the RG spot. The other players can be shifted around to find the best group of 10 and the best way to use them. Jeff Stoutland likes versatile linemen. That’s part of the reason he likes Pryor, who can line up at OG or OT. Green has played LG and RG. He played some OT in college. Steen can play OG or OT.

While Green was a disappointment in Houston and Pryor isn’t anything special, it is worth noting that Becton played his best football on the Eagles OL. Good coaching and good players around you makes things a lot easier. You can count on your teammates to do their jobs. You will all be on the same page. You just have to do your job. That set-up makes helps bring out the best in players.

I like the addition of Pryor. He’s cheap and checks a lot of boxes.

*****

The Pryor move doesn’t mean the Eagles are done OL shopping. We found out they will be bringing Donovan Jackson from Ohio State in for a visit. Jackson would make a lot of sense. He has solid size at 6-4, 315. Jackson played LG until LT Josh Simmons got hurt. Then he shifted outside and took over at LT.

Jackson could play OT in the NFL, but he probably has more upside at OG. Jackson isn’t a great athlete and doesn’t have great length. He is technically sound and is a powerful blocker. He’s tough. Jackson is an Eagles type of OL with his versatility and willingness to do whatever the team needs. He could be your long term answer at RG. He will likely be a first round pick.

*****

The Eagles have shown interest in RB Jaydon Blue. If you want help in understanding why they like him…

Don’t think of Blue as just a RB. Think of him as an offensive weapon. Nick Sirianni obsesses on explosive plays so it makes sense that he has interest in a player with Blue’s ability.

http://igglesblitz.com/2025/03/another-biggie/

I think the hope with the OL is that with 4 studs you can kind of mask the one guy? So whoever that ends up being hopefully there’s enough around him to hide any deficiencies.

Hey, guys develop, whether here or somewhere else.  Maybe Stoutland saw something in tape review and agreed with the signing....