The Philadelphia Eagles have a glaring hole at right guard and one of the most athletic linemen in NFL history just happens to be unemployed.
The Eagles received devastating news on Monday when it was revealed that Brandon Brooks would miss the entire 2020 NFL season with a torn Achilles tendon.
The Eagles have viable replacements on the roster but if the team chooses to look outside the NovaCare Complex, here are seven options that make sense.
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1. Jason Peters
The free-agent left tackle let it be known last season that he would play guard to extend his career and he’s still one of the most athletic players in the game regardless of position. Peters’s strength, technique, and versatility along with vast experience could allow such a move to make sense.
2. Ron Leary
Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 2012, Leary recently played for the Denver Broncos.
Leary was the Broncos starting left guard to start the 2018 season and started the first six games before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 6. Last season, Leary moved back to right guard, starting the first 12 games before missing the final four due to injury.
3. Matt Pryor
Pryor spent two seasons learning the Eagles’ offense and was the Eagles’ choice to replace Brandon Brooks in the Birds Wild Card loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Originally selected by the Eagles in the 6th round (206th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, Pryor actually made his first career NFL start in place of an injured Brooks in that Wild Card game vs. Seattle. Pryor played collegiately at TCU, where he started in 31 games (23 at guard) and earned All-Big 12 honors following his senior season in 2017.
4. Kevin Pamphile
Pamphile was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft after a solid college football career at Purdue. Pamphile struggled with injuries last season but has experience.
5. Josh Kline
Kline was a starter at right guard for the physical Minnesota Vikings last season and would be an upgrade or on par with Pryor skill-wise.
6. Kyle Long
Chris Long’s younger brother, Kyle walked away from the game because of was tired of the Bears organization. Could a gold standard franchise like the Eagles get him off the sidelines? Long recently made it clear that he’s open to returning to the NFL and the 2013 first-round pick was one of the best guards in the NFL during his seven seasons with the Bears.
7. Larry Warford
A cap casualty of the Saints, the three-time Pro-Bowler is still without a team after being one of the top guards in the NFL last season. The best player on the market, if the Eagles don’t turn to Pryor then Warford should get a call.
