Philadelphia Eagles rookie tackle Markel Bell has been one of the most impressive Miami Hurricanes rookies in training camp and he just had a solid showing in the preseason opener. It is a big-time development for what feels like a high stakes third-round pick since veteran Lane Johnson has indicated this will likely be his final NFL season.
Bell, a staggering 6-foot-9, 346-pound product out of Miami, started at right tackle in the Eagles' 24-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night. On one of the run plays he drove a defensive lineman back 6 yards, while holding up cleanly in pass protection (something that scouts questioned coming out of college).
Legendary tackle Lane Johnson is trying to put it together for one more season in the NFL
Johnson suffered a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot in Week 11 of last season against the Detroit Lions. He felt a pop on the first play, left the game in the first quarter and never returned. The injury did not require surgery, and the Eagles kept him off injured reserve in hopes of a return. Johnson attempted to rehab and practice ahead of the wild-card playoff game against San Francisco, but his foot repeatedly swelled, limiting his mobility to the point that he missed the remainder of the season.
Philadelphia selected Bell with an eye toward the future on the offensive line and his early performances over the summer, and now in the preseason, may have accelerated his timeline.
The Eagles had an offseason to forget
One of the most notable moves of the summer was the Eagles trading star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection. The deal ended a relationship marked by reported locker-room tension and Brown's public frustrations in recent years. Philadelphia acquired Dontayvion Wicks via trade, signed Marquise Brown in free agency and drafted Makai Lemon in the first round to offset/prepare for the loss.
Eagles lose to Ravens in first preseason game
In the preseason opener, the Eagles rested most starters, including QB Jalen Hurts. The offense managed just 159 total yards, six first downs and went 0-for-9 on third down. Rookie fifth-round quarterback Cole Payton provided the lone spark, using his legs to rush for 45 yards on three carries before throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Erik Ezukanma.
Markel Bell is just one of a handful of Miami OL products that made some noise in Week 1 of the preseason
Jets sixth-round rookie guard Anez Cooper posted the highest Pro Football Focus grade among New York's offensive players in his preseason debut a night earlier, earning a 90.9 overall grade.
The Eagles now head to New England for joint practices and their second preseason game.
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