Brian Baldinger leans offensive line for the Eagles’ first pick at No. 23

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 28: Utah Utes offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) before a Big 12 football game between the Utah Utes and Kansas Jayhawks on November 28, 2025 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NFL Network expert Brian Baldinger, who possesses one of the keenest eyes when it comes to the NFL Draft and interior line play, recently took a few minutes to discuss where potentially the Eagles could look in Thursday's NFL Draft.

With an aging, mending offensive line, Baldinger sees the Eagles taking a developmental offensive tackle like Utah's Caleb Lomu with the 23rd overall pick. Lomu is only 19. He's listed at 6-foot-61/4, 313 pounds.

The NFL Combine scouting report projects Lomu to go in the first round and says: Two-year starting left tackle who is still in the early stages of his development. Utah's run game leaned heavily on movement and misdirection, preventing Lomu from firing out and showing his power. His run blocking trails his pass protection, but improved pad level and a nastier demeanor could close the gap. In protection, he shows good balance with adequate foot quickness, landing quick, well-timed punches and using a firm grip to control rushers once he's in. His anchor was rarely stressed by power and his athletic recoveries are average. Lomu flashes but is still under construction. His play could improve rapidly with strength gains and additional coaching."

The NFL Combine report compares Lomu to Tennessee Titans' tackle Dan Moore Jr.

Another possibility is Derrick Michigan's Derrick Moore, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound edge rusher, with the 54th pick in the second round.

Neither of those guys would be projected to start, though through time, they could start for you," Baldinger said. You would be looking at Lane Johnson's possible replacement in Lomu, but I don't see lane's possible replacement in this draft. I don't think (Eagles' general manager) Howe Roseman is going to sit still. The Eagles will probably lose A.J. Brown after June 1st. It looks like it. The Eagles will have two years to get A.J.'s money off the books. If you unload A.J., with a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion from the Green Bay system, which is very tight end-centric, maybe Howie makes a huge splash and goes after Kenyon Sadiq, the tight end out of Oregon.

The Eagles don't have tight end on contract for 2027. Why not help Jalen Hurts with a tight end that helps you in the middle of the field. Sadiq can go somewhere around 15. Some people have him higher. He had one great year of production. He could go somewhere between 15 to 20. Carolina is someplace where Sadiq can go. I can see them going tight end at 19. Look at Howie's track record. My gut feeling says he will look at the trenches. Lane will be coming into his 14th year. Howie knows the Eagles have to start beginning on the offensive line."

In general, Baldinger likes 6-foot-3 5/8, 316-pound Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge as a possible third-round pick and is someone Baldinger feels could start quickly in the NFL. Another interesting selection Baldinger likes is former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. Allar has a plus arm, played in a pro system and would have a top five, maybe a top 10 arm in the NFL. With a year of quality coaching, Allar could develop into an NFL starter.

There is a lot to like about Allar," Baldinger said. Another real steal for someone would be Josiah Trotter, who looks like his dad (former Eagle great Jeremiah Trotter). Josiah is a great kid, who has a great work ethic."

Josiah Trotter, out of Missouri, is projected to be a second or third-round pick.

The NFL Combine scouting report says: Ascending inside linebacker with NFL bloodlines and alpha energy. Trotter's heavy hands allow him to fit and choke off gaps, but he's inconsistent in doing so. Block collisions need to be balanced with efficient play-arounds to create more tackle tries. Pursuit speed to the flanks is average, but he is quick to cut and accelerate so he stays close to runs bouncing wide. He stacks backfield production with well-timed run blitzes and crafty rush work. Coverage is the concern, with spotty zone awareness/spacing and the risk of being mismatched in man. Trotter's wiring and disruptive qualities make him easy to project as a productive, long-time starter in the middle but a defense might need to protect him in coverage."