Eagles Select OL Isaac Seumalo In Third Round
USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles selected Oregon State offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo with their third round pick (79th overall).
Seumalo (6-4, 303) played center, guard and a handful of games at tackle over his college career. The plan is to start him off at guard, per Howie Roseman.
“I think this kid can come in here and compete and give us great depth at the spot,” said Doug Pederson. “I do agree that he could challenge for a starting job.”
The left guard spot is the position seemingly most up for grabs, with Allen Barbre, Stefen Wisniewski, Malcolm Bunche and Andrew Gardner all competing. Here is a breakdown of Seumalo, who joins that mix, courtesy of NFL.com:
STRENGTHS
Quick feet and plays with above average lateral movement. Well-schooled with technician’s understanding of footwork and angles to secure reach blocks and wall defenders out of the running lane. Patient blocker waiting for his feet to settle into place before engaging. Operates with a centered, sure base and reliable core strength. Has experience at center, right guard and both tackle spots. Unselfish and does what is asked of him. Pass sets look like a tackle’s with desired knee bend, flat back and arm extension.
WEAKNESSES
Frame could use more mass. Base narrows as drive blocker causing occasional bouts with body control and balance. Doesn’t appear to have punch-and-snatch hands. Looks like he’s got block secured and then loses grip and allows his defender into the play. Defender’s hands often first into the framework. Hands need to work faster. Missed 2014 due to complications from injury suffered in 2013 Hawaii Bowl.
BOTTOM LINE
Seumalo proved that he was back from a foot injury that sidelined him for all of 2014 with the same foot quickness and technical talent that he had before his injury. Seumalo can play anywhere on the interior, but his best position might be at center thanks to his core strength and overall anchor.
Seumalo suffered a broken foot in the 2013 Hawaii Bowl, which required multiple surgeries. He missed the entire 2014 season.
“They call it a Jones fracture. In January (2014) I had surgery on it. And then in April I had the same surgery to the same injury because they didn’t think it was healing properly so they put in a a bigger screw with a bone graft from my hip,” he explained. “I ended up red-shirting that season just to be on the cautious side of things.”
Seumalo said there are no lingering effects, and the Eagles were pleased with the medicals according to Roseman.
The Eagles were considering moving back in the draft, but based off communication with people around the league, Roseman sensed Seumalo would be taken soon so they stayed put. If he was no longer on the board at 79, Roseman indicated they may have traded out to get more picks.
“We prioritized the offensive line. It was a priority all offseason for us,” said Roseman. “We also didn’t want to go in limiting to, we have to get a tackle, we have to get a guard. So it came down to the board, who is the best player on our board, and it happened to be an offensive lineman which made us happy. And it happened to be a guy like Isaac who can play all these positions but is going to start out on the inside.”