The Philadelphia Eagles need to plan for a future without right offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who is 1 of the greatest players in NFL history at his position.
Johnson, 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, will turn 36 years old in May. He is a 5-time NFL All-Pro and 2-time Super Bowl champion with $163.4 million in career earnings.
He’s also about to play his 14th NFL season, which will almost certainly also be his last.
That’s why USA Today’s post-free agency mock draft has the Eagles taking 6-foot-7, 317-pound Clemson offensive tackle Blaker Miller in the 1st round, at No. 23 overall, to eventually be Johnson’s replacement.
From USA Today: “The All-ACC right tackle might be too good to pass up — especially for lineman lover Howie Roseman — given Lane Johnson is in year-to-year mode and missed Philly’s final eight games, including the playoffs, last season.”
It would be the 1st time the Eagles have drafted an offensive player in the 1st round since wide receiver DeVonta Smith at No. 10 overall in 2021, and the 1st time they’ve drafted an offensive lineman in the 1st round since offensive tackle Andre Dillard at No. 22 overall in 2019.
Dillard made 9 starts in 3 seasons for the Eagles and never developed into a full-time starter.
Tracking Blake Miller’s Path to Elite NFL Prospect
Miller, an Ohio native, turned his back on Ohio State and became a 4-year starter at Clemson, where he was the first full-time starter on the offensive line since 1972, a Freshman All-American, and a 3-time All-ACC selection.
“Ultimate iron man at right tackle with 54 career starts,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “Miller has unusual lateral quickness and fluidity in space despite playing too upright. His hands lack accuracy and command in both phases, but he can recover and make blocks with a finisher’s mindset. Miller is rarely beaten by rush games, but he has his edges attacked because of his hand issues. He will encounter difficulties at the next level without better pad level, core strength and cleaner technique. If he tightens up in those areas, Miller can become a solid NFL right tackle.”
Injuries Pushing Lane Johnson Toward Retirement
Johnson missed the final 7 games of the regular season and the NFC Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a Lisfranc injury to his foot. That, along with the retirement of legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, seemed to be pushing Johnson toward hanging up his cleats.
“(Stoutland leaving) is a disaster for the Philadelphia Eagles,” Sports Radio 94 WIP’s Joe DeCamara said on Thursday. “It’s a tremendously mismanaged situation. It’s terrible leadership. It makes me question Nick Sirianni. It makes me question Howie Roseman. It makes me question Jeffrey Lurie. How 2025 was Jeff Stoutland’s fault is beyond me.”
When Johnson is truly done playing in the NFL, his next stop will almost certainly be the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft out of Oklahoma, there have been few offensive linemen like Johnson in NFL history — a former junior college quarterback who moved to tight end before making the fateful switch to offensive line in 2011.
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