The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft, set to kick off on April 23 in Pittsburgh. A wealth of talent at the offensive line position is expected, reminiscent of the deep 2013 draft class. This year, analysts predict that up to seven offensive linemen could be selected in the first round, making it a buyer”s market for teams in need of reinforcement up front.
Lead NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has indicated that after this initial wave of talent, there will be a noticeable drop-off until the third round, when offensive linemen will again attract the attention of general managers across the league.
Reflecting on previous drafts, the 2013 class was particularly fruitful for the Eagles, who, with the fourth overall pick, chose Lane Johnson. This decision proved to be a pivotal moment in the franchise”s history. At the time, the Eagles nearly missed out on Johnson, as the Miami Dolphins traded ahead to select Dion Jordan, a player highly sought after by then head coach Chip Kelly.
In 2013, nine offensive linemen were picked in the first round, with Johnson being the third lineman off the board, following Eric Fisher and Luke Joekel. While those two have had respectable careers, Johnson has established himself as a potential Hall of Famer, despite dealing with injuries and nearing the end of his career at 36 years old.
The other offensive linemen selected in that draft included Jonathan Cooper, Chance Warmack, D.J. Fluker, Justin Pugh, Kyle Long, and Travis Frederick. A look back at Johnson”s combine performance in 2013 reveals the exceptional athleticism that made him a standout prospect. He recorded a stunning 4.72-second time in the 40-yard dash, a 34-inch vertical leap, and a broad jump of 9 feet 10 inches, all surpassing his peers, including Fisher and Joekel.
Interestingly, Johnson weighed in at 303 pounds during the combine, whereas he now plays at 325. In contrast, the fastest 40-yard dash recorded by an offensive lineman at the recent combine was 4.90 seconds, achieved by Iowa center Logan Jones. Notably, nine offensive linemen managed to run under 5.0 seconds, but none matched the explosive numbers Johnson posted in his draft year.
With the NFL Scouting Combine now concluded, the Eagles have an opportunity to reflect on their past successes while focusing on making informed decisions in the upcoming draft. The franchise”s history of selecting talent at the offensive line position will be crucial as they navigate through a promising 2026 draft class.
