PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles waited three extra picks to make their first pick Friday night after they traded their second-round pick to the Houston Texans on Friday night.
They used it on Alabama tackle Tyler Steen with Pick No. 65, the second pick in the third round. They also have the next pick at No. 66, who they used on Illinois defensive back Sidney Brown. The Eagles also received Pick No. 188 in the sixth round and Pick No. 230 in the seventh round.
The Eagles had traded away their picks in Rounds 4, 5 and 6 in recent seasons.
The Eagles, incredibly, could have gone with two more Georgia players as both cornerback Kelee Ringo and tight end Darnell Washington were still available.
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But they instead chose to fortify the offensive line with Steen, who began his college career at Vanderbilt before transferring to Alabama. Steen came to Vanderbilt as a defensive lineman, then moved to right tackle as a sophomore before moving to left tackle.
Steen, 6-foot-6, 321 pounds, could conceivably cross train as a guard, perhaps challenging Cam Jurgens for the starting job at right guard, or he serve as a swing tackle, and possibly replace right tackle Lane Johnson at some point in the future when Johnson decides to retire.
That is at least a few years down the road, however.
While Steen is the fourth Alabama player drafted since 2020, joining quarterback Jalen Hurts (2020), wide receiver DeVonta Smith and left guard Landon Dickerson (2021), he didn’t play with any of them as he joined the Crimson Tide as a graduate student last season.
The Eagles love addressing the offensive and defensive lines in the draft. They took care of the defensive side in Round 1 on Thursday night, taking Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 9 and his Bulldogs teammate in edge rusher Nolan Smith at No. 30.
They join 2022 draftees from Georgia in first-rounder Jordan Davis, a defensive tackle, and third-rounder Nakobe Dean.
They also join a deep and veteran defensive line that includes franchise stalwarts in Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox, not to mention Haason Reddick, who had 16 sacks last season. Reddick has the similar body type as the 6-foot-2, 238-pound Smith.
“The sky’s the limit always,” Smith said about the defensive line potential. “I don’t want to set any goals or set anything, but just to be a group that works together and rushes as one unit … I’d love to learn from Haason Reddick and all the veteran guys. I just can’t wait to follow and learn the different things that they do here in Philly.”
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Steen also joins a deep and talented line with veterans like center Jason Kelce and Johnson to learn from, not to mention offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
The Eagles needed to replenish the depth on the offensive line after Isaac Seumalo left as a free agent to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Andre Dillard, the top backup at tackle, also left in free agency, getting a chance to start in Tennessee.
The Eagles still have Jack Driscoll as a backup tackle and guard.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
