Eagles Rookie Markel Bell Could Challenge For Swing Tackle Role

The Eagles boast one of the more-talented, highly regarded pair of bookend tackles in the league with Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Philadelphia still opted to utilize a Day 2 pick on the position, and doing so has the potential to address two things moving forward for the Eagles.

With Johnson having just turned 36 years old with two years remaining on his contract, third-round rookie Markel Bell could be the plan as the heir apparent to Johnson if the Eagles opt to move on from the All-Pro right tackle. In a more immediate purpose, though, Bell could wrestle the role of swing tackle away from veteran incumbent Fred Johnson. According to Zach Berman of The Athletic, with Lane Johnson not currently present at Organized Team Activities, it’s been Bell, not Fred Johnson, benefitting from first-team reps in his place.

Bell found his way to third-round draft status after landing at Miami (FL) through the JuCo route. After two years at Holmes Community College (MS), Bell committed to the Hurricanes and earned a swing tackle role in his first year. He arrived in Coral Gables a bit raw, boasting elite size in his 6-foot-9, 350-pound frame. After a year in the Hurricanes’ system, he earned a starting role as the blindside blocker opposite first-round teammate Francis Mauigoa. He hasn’t quite found his ideal body composition and his lower body movement could use work at the next level, but Bell boasts the size, strength, and length of an NFL tackle with surprising mobility and athleticism.

Fred Johnson, a former undrafted free agent out of Florida, has done good work to stay in the NFL over the past seven years. Initially signing with the Steelers after falling out of the 2019 draft, Johnson was claimed by the Bengals when Pittsburgh waived him midway through October of his rookie year. In two and a half seasons in Cincinnati, Johnson appeared in 23 games, earning seven starts. After a year in Tampa Bay, Johnson signed with the Eagles, with whom he’s enjoyed a three-year stint as the team’s swing tackle, appearing in 51 games and starting 14 of them. Over the past two seasons, though, in those 14 starts, Johnson has not graded out favorably, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

So, with Bell getting tapped to fill in as the starting right tackle in place of Lane Johnson in OTAs, he’s gaining experience at right tackle that will benefit his ability to fill in on either side of the line, and he’s getting valuable experience on the first team offense that could give coaches an idea of his potential to start in future seasons. If he continues to get looks over Fred Johnson moving forward, he could establish a role as the Eagles swing tackle in his rookie campaign.