Brandon Brooks injury opens door for two Eagles rookie offensive linemen
By Cory Kinnan
Can the Eagles rely on a rookie to replace their Pro Bowl right guard?
The Philadelphia Eagles suffered a huge blow to their offensive line this week when Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks went down with a torn Achilles. The good news for the Eagles, they drafted two offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft, both of which will have a chance to contribute right away as a result of Brooks’ injury.
Both rookies, coincidentally, were college teammates in 2019 with the Auburn Tigers, and now will compete against one another. Jack Driscoll, a fourth round pick, and Prince Tega Wanogho, a seventh round pick, may be given the opportunity to win the right guard spot.
After playing three years at UMass, Driscoll transferred to the SEC for his final year of eligibility, and as a result saw a bump in his draft stock. Wanogho, on the other hand, entered the season with high hopes, but saw his stock dip as he struggled with injuries and had to miss both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.
Philadelphia Eagles
Both tackles at Auburn, the Eagles have a way of shuffling their offensive line in order to fill needs, so it can be assumed Wanogho will still get a shot despite playing left tackle for the Tigers. Unless Philadelphia goes out and brings back Jason Peters, or potentially Larry Warford to replace Brooks in 2020, they will have to turn to their rookies.
Driscoll will be given the slight edge given his familiarity his draft standing over his former teammate in Wanogho. However, do not sleep on the 6-7 offensive tackle to allow for his insane athletic ability to help him cover ground quickly in training camp.
Their collegiate head coach in Gus Malzahn believes both players will play for quite some time in the NFL. “I think with both of them, the Eagles got two guys who have a chance to play for a long time in the league” (via Twitter). Luckily for Philadelphia, they got both of them
dark. Next. Examining 2021 NFL Draft OT Class after Penei Sewell
Not the greatest of circumstances for Philadelphia as they look to stay atop the NFC East, as they will turn towards the direction of two day-three rookies. Both fairly underrated, however, Driscoll and Wanogho will look to make their personal stamp upon their coaches later this summer to prove a worthy placeholder for Brooks.