This feels familiar, almost like déjà vu. Yes, indeed. The Philadelphia Eagles have most certainly been here before.
Nearly seven years ago, Howie Roseman and his staff used a first-round pick on Andre Dillard with a clear vision in mind. He was supposed to be the future and an heir apparent. He was supposed to take the torch from Jason Peters and be the next great blindside protector. Dillard was supposed to be Peters' successor.
The plan unraveled quickly. Development stalled. Confidence wavered. Eventually, Dillard lost his job to Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player who wasn't even supposed to be part of the conversation this early in his career. Believe it or not, Philadelphia hasn't drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since then, and yet, here we are again. Six drafts have come and gone, and it's time to replace a legend.
The 2026 NFL Draft approaches. The Eagles have leaned on coaching, depth, and creativity to keep one of the league's premier units intact, but time doesn't stop, even for the best organizations. Now, the focus shifts to Lane Johnson. He's still playing at a high level when healthy, but he hasn't been 100% healthy for a while. The reality is unavoidable. The end of a Hall of Fame career is approaching.
It may be time to invest early-draft capital in reloading along the offensive front. Again, Philadelphia hasn't taken a first-round offensive tackle since Dillard in Round 1. Before that decision was made, they hadn't taken one since Lane Johnson was the choice in 2013.
The Eagles once again find themselves searching for a successor to a franchise legend. This time, the stakes feel higher. Philadelphia may not have the luxury of waiting. There are good options available for the position, but patience could prove costly. With whispers of a potential run on offensive tackles in Round 1, standing pat could mean missing out on the type of prospect capable of stepping into Johnson's shoes one day. That's where the lesson from Dillard comes into play. It's not just about taking a tackle early. It's about taking the right one. This isn't just about filling a hole on the roster. It's about getting the future right this time. They may only get one real shot to do so.
History has already delivered its warning. Now, Philadelphia has to prove it learned from it. If they miss again, they risk creating a void at one of the most important positions on the roster.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: The Andre Dillard miss shapes the Eagles' plan to replace Lane Johnson