Is Philadelphia Eagles' Offensive Line Depth as Bad as Advertised?

For the second year in a row, the Philadelphia Eagles failed to come away with a single offensive lineman from the draft. For some NFL teams, this might not be a huge problem. For the Birds, it's flat-out scary.

When everybody is on the field, Philly has one of the most dominant lines in the league. However, the unit's depth has been challenged by injuries in two of the past three seasons. Furthermore, three of the projected five starters in 2015 are in their 30s, so health—not to mention decline—remain issues moving forward.

But just how much of a concern is the line?

Clearly, not so much that the Eagles felt pressured to do anything about it. Who's correct: an NFL front office paid to make the tough decisions or the fans and sportswriters who are searching for things to worry about?

To be fair, even the organization realizes the O-line is in need of addressing. When Philadelphia failed to come out of the 2014 draft with fresh blood along the line, then-general manager Howie Roseman described it as a "dagger in the heart," according to Jeff McLane for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Chip Kelly runs the show now, and while his actions this offseason may not serve as any indication, Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com reports the third-year head coach realizes it, too. Then again, Kelly also seems to believe the Eagles will be just fine in 2015.

“I feel solid in terms of what we have this year,” Kelly said. “But we really have to address moving forward what we're going to do at that position.”

	Age 12/31/15	2012	2013	2014
J. Peters	33	0	16	16
E. Mathis	34	16	16	8
J. Kelce	28	2	16	12
A. Barbre	31	0	0	1
L. Johnson	25	-	16	12

Perhaps they will be solid.

After all, it was only a year ago in 2013 when all five starters played in all 17 games, including the playoffs. The club went 10-6 that season, as the line paved the way for LeSean McCoy's rushing title and kept quarterback Nick Foles upright while he set an NFL record with a 27-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

McCoy and Foles were both traded this offseason, but the line is largely intact—albeit two years older. The only change is at right guard, where Todd Herremans was released and is expected to be replaced by journeyman Allen Barbre.

Of course, Barbre aside, the qualms aren't necessarily with the starters.

Left tackle Jason Peters will be a candidate for the Hall of Fame after he retires. Left guard Evan Mathis is an All-Pro. Center Jason Kelce was invited to his first Pro Bowl just this past season, and right tackle Lane Johnson was the fourth overall pick of the draft in 2013—the last time the Birds selected an offensive lineman.

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Sure, Peters, Mathis and Barbre are all in their 30s. Still, there aren't many better groups around when all five are out there together.

Then again, everybody but Johnson has missed at least eight games due to injury in one of the past three seasons. That's when the situation gets dicey.

This is where Kelly might disagree with critics. As Frank writes, the head coach believes the Eagles' depth up front is perfectly acceptable:

"

It’s not that we don't think we need to create depth on the offensive line, but as you look at it right now, the only offensive lineman we've lost is Todd (Herremans), and so we feel like getting Allen Barbre back off of his injury, Tobin and (Andrew) Gardner played really well for us there, and we've got some young guys that we're still continuing to develop. Julian Vandervelde is back.

"

Obviously, Barbre doesn't qualify as depth if he's in the starting lineup now.

Tobin struggled a bit last season in place of Herremans at right guard. While he might've been affected by an ankle injury, he eventually ceded the job to Gardner, a tackle by trade. Gardner, another journeyman, was only okay. Vandervelde has never started an NFL game.

This is not exactly a collection of players to hang your hat on, even as reserves go. And at least one of them is likely going to be playing every week.

	Age (12/31/15)	2014	Career
A. Gardner	29	8	8
D. Kelly	25	3	13
D. Molk	27	4	4
M. Tobin	25	7	7
J. Vandervelde	28	0	0
6 Undrafted 1st-Yr Players	-	0	0

On the flip side, are they really that bad? Tobin dominated in preseason action and actually displays some promise. Gardner wasn't a total train wreck. Guys like Vandervelde and Dennis Kelly have been making the roster every year for a reason. Relative to the rest of the league, this might serve as passable depth.

However, most of the rest of the league doesn't have three starters in their 30s and consistent health problems on their offensive line.

As Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice notes, the average age of the Eagles' projected starting O-line (30.4 years old) is the highest in the league.

The Eagles' situation is unique, to say the least. On one hand, they have an outstanding front, although aging and possible deterioration must be kept in mind. On the other, recent history suggests the club will be dipping into its bench before too long, and there don't seem to be many answers there.

Is the depth as bad as advertised? Maybe not. Almost any team that loses two or three starters along its offensive line is going to find itself in a world of hurt, and Philadelphia is no exception.

Regardless, the fact that the Eagles have failed to address a group that is only getting older and has repeatedly battled injuries suggests they must lean on their depth more than other teams. In 2012 and 2014, that proved to be problematic.

If the issues continue into 2015, once again, the Eagles probably won't enjoy the results.