Philadelphia Eagles: Isaac Seumalo Could Start At Guard
By Jeremy Klump
Only having one pick on day two of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles took offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo.
After the Philadelphia Eagles made their huge splash in the first round when they traded up for their new franchise quarterback, Cason Wentz, the Eagles cooled down, only picking once on day two of the 2016 NFL Draft.
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That one pick, which was in the third round (79th overall), could have been used a bunch of different ways. The Eagles have needs in the secondary, at linebacker, on the offensive line, running back and wide receiver.
Many felt they would draft a running back with the 79th overall pick, but the pick was announced and the Eagles selected former Oregon State offensive lineman, Isaac Seumalo.
The term offensive lineman is used because Seumalo doesn’t really have a set position. He is a versatile offensive lineman that can play center and guard in the NFL. He even played a little tackle in college, although I do not see him playing tackle in the NFL.
Guard seems like his best bet on the Eagles because former Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce looks to be cemented in his position. He did have a tough 2015 season, but drafting a center in the third round to replace him after one poor season would make no sense.
The Eagles went out and signed former Texans guard Brandon Brooks, so he will obviously be a starter on their line at guard. They also went out and signed Stefen Wisniewski, who can play guard and center just like Seumalo, but his deal was only for one year so there is no guarantee that he will be a starter.
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That means the Eagles have one open spot on their offensive line, so it looks like Seumalo and Wisniewski will be in a position battle for the last guard spot in 2016.
The big question is whether Seumalo will be able to play well enough to earn his starting spot and I believe he will because of the upside he brings.
Seumalo is good in pass protection and will be able to protect whoever is starting quarterback in 2016, and then Wentz for the future. He is also a great run blocker, so whoever the starting running back is will feel comfortable knowing he will be opening holes well.
The biggest knock on Seumalo is injuries. He needs to stay healthy, but the Eagles were smart to sign Wisniewski because they now have added depth in case of an injury on the interior offensive line.
The Pro Football Focus Draft twitter account tweeted out this after the Eagles selected Seumalo:
Isaac Seumalo has the 2nd-best pass blocking efficiency (99.2) among OGs in this NFL draft class.
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 30, 2016
Pro Football Focus gave the pick an ‘A’ and had this to say:
"16 (79) Philadelphia Eagles: Isaac Seumalo | Grade: AAnother good guard, Seumalo’s +30.9 overall grade ranks fourth in the draft class among guards and his +24.3 run block grade ranks sixth. Seumalo rarely loses cleanly in the run game and he only surrendered four pressures in all of 2015, despite starting three games at left tackle."
If Seumalo wins the job, the starting offensive line would look like this: LT Jason Peters, LG Isaac Seumalo, C Jason Kelce, RG Brandon Brooks, RT Lane Johnson.
That is a pretty solid line for any quarterback, but especially a rookie.
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There may have been bigger needs and other available players that would have helped the Eagles, but when you look at the pick it makes sense. If Seumalo ends up becoming the starter at guard, this will be a great pick for the Eagles.