Depending on who you talk to, the Philadelphia Eagles are either really content at left tackle or clamoring for Jason Peters to return.
The one constant in all of those discussions is the second-year left tackle, Andre Dillard.
The Eagles have been blessed at left tackle over the past two decades, first with former Florida State star Tra Thomas and then with Jason Peters. Planning ahead for Peters eventual retirement, the Eagles selected Andre Dillard out of Washington State, trading up in the process.
With the Eagles considering bringing back Peters and discussions about Dillard’s readiness at left tackle, All-Pro center Jason Kelce just delivered a vote of confidence.
J. Kelce on A. Dillard: "He's got a lot of the things that are hard to get if you don't have them. If there was one weakness to his game last year, it was power. …And that wasn't even that big of a weakness that we couldn't go out there and win. Now he gets a whole offseason."
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) May 15, 2020
Kelce believes that Dillard will make a huge leap this offseason despite the pandemic and inability to get in work with the team.
“The biggest thing for returning guys … is going to be the training camp, and going against somebody in pads,” Kelce said. “He’s going to be able to go out there (during quarantining) and work on sets on (five-yard) squares, he’s going to be able to go out and work on little things. You don’t improve that much physically in OTAs and minicamps. It’s more of mental improvement.
“Andre’s a guy that’s got incredible physical abilities. He’s very quick-twitch; he can move his feet really well. He’s athletic, he’s smart,” Kelce said. “He’s got a lot of the things that are hard to get if you don’t have them.”
Dillard is clearly a better fit at left tackle than right tackle, and after the Eagles used a first-round pick last offseason, it’ll be imperative to take the next steps as a player regardless if Peters returns or not.
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