Eagles Rookie Review: Tyler Steen could have an up-and-down year as a starting guard

One among my favourite issues to do each offseason is to check my post-draft notes on the Eagles’ rookies after which analyze how they carried out once they bought an opportunity. I received’t write a full scouting report as a result of I all the time do this after they’re drafted. You will discover Tyler Steen’s scouting report right here.

Beforehand on this collection: Jalen Carter / Nolan Smith

Stats

Steen solely performed 71 snaps as a rookie, taking 68 snaps at proper guard and three at left guard. He obtained a 60 PFF grade and gave up 6 complete pressures.

General

Tyler Steen didn’t play a lot, so there’s not a lot so as to add right here. However it’s nonetheless value refreshing our minds to see what he seemed like pre-draft and as a rookie. Steen by no means performed at guard in faculty, however I had a sense this was the place he would find yourself, as you’ll be able to see from my report final yr. As all the time, I’ll add feedback, movie clips, and quotes from my scouting report.

The largest situation I’ve with Steen is that we haven’t really seen him at guard! Ever! He’s solely performed sort out. I believe it’s straightforward for everybody to only assume that it’s a straightforward transition to go from sort out to protect, however I’m certain it’s not all the time that straightforward. I don’t assume it’s utterly out of the query that he finally ends up at sort out completely, however I believe the arm size is an actual concern. I believe Jeff Stoutland might help him clear up a few of his technical points, however he can’t make his arms longer. Until he actually is particular…

The largest praise I can say about Tyler Steen’s movie from 2023 was that he didn’t look misplaced. It’s straightforward to overlook he had solely performed sort out, however he dealt with himself effectively and didn’t look unnatural when requested to play guard. He had some very optimistic reps within the run sport, the place he flashed the flexibility to maneuver defensive linemen and create some good speeding lanes.

He did play sort out within the preseason, and the Eagles ran Dart with him (sort out energy), which is a transparent signal that they price his athleticism.

I believe a lot of his points have been technical and needed to do with overcompensating for his arm size whereas taking part in sort out. I belief Jeff Stoutland to unravel the primary situation, and I believe the second situation will go away if he strikes to protect. I believe the remainder of his profile could be very stable. He has actually good measurement and athleticism and I anticipate him to be a stable starter, if not ever a particular participant, at some point of his profession. I believe he’ll find yourself at guard, however might positively present backup at sort out as effectively subsequent yr. Having versatility as an offensive lineman is de facto necessary and even when Steen doesn’t begin instantly, he might find yourself because the Eagles’ prime backup at each guard and sort out subsequent season.

We did see the arm-length situation in his restricted reps. Although this can be a good rep for Steen, the shortage of arm size is obvious. He appears to be like like a guard right here reasonably than a sort out.

Steen struggled in opposition to Micah Parsons, however so does practically each offensive lineman not named Lane Johnson. His lack of arm size additionally limits his capability to anchor, as he doesn’t strike defensive linemen early, and so they can construct up some velocity when speeding in opposition to him.

I believe there’s a moderately good likelihood he’ll begin Week 1 at guard. If I needed to wager on certainly one of Steen and Cam Jurgens, I believe I’d give the sting to Steen due to his measurement. I don’t assume he’s good by any means, however I believe he ought to find yourself a stable choose firstly of the third spherical. Who doesn’t belief Jeff Stoutland to develop an athletic offensive lineman?

I clearly bought this improper, nevertheless it’s an indication that I appreciated Steen’s movie. I don’t assume Jurgens was sensible as a guard, and I’m glad he has moved again to middle the place I believe he’s much more snug. Steen has a improbable alternative to play subsequent to one of the best proper sort out within the sport and make this place his personal.

The Future

I anticipate Steen to have an up-and-down yr as a beginning guard, however I belief the Eagles’ judgment relating to offensive linemen. He clearly wasn’t prepared final yr, because the Eagles performed Sua Opeta over him every time they wanted a guard. Opeta performed 528 snaps on the season in comparison with Steen’s 71. Nonetheless, the Eagles didn’t deliver again Opeta, which suggests they assume Steen can step up. The Eagles have some younger offensive linemen who might develop over time, however I’m not certain any of them are able to take Steen’s job.

I think about Steen’s success may also rely on how Cam Jurgens performs. If Jurgens has an excellent yr, Steen is in a improbable place. He’s additionally lucky that Lane Johnson may be left on an island on each single snap, so Steen may have quite a lot of assist from Jurgens in move proection. I anticipate the Eagles to depart Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Johnson on an island a good quantity. So Jurgens and Steen ought to have the benefit of working collectively loads.

Though I don’t see a problem for Steen’s job from the guards on the roster (I see Matt Hennessy as a backup middle, and whereas I like rookie Trevor Keegan, I don’t assume he can be prepared), he could face a problem from an surprising new arrival. Mekhi Becton is a novel expertise with quite a lot of upside, and he might excel as a guard. Nonetheless, I’d anticipate the Eagles to try to develop him as a sort out reasonably than play him at a number of positions this yr. UPDATE: After scripting this, I noticed BLG tweet the next …

I nonetheless assume Steen may have this job firstly of the yr, but when Becton is being educated for granted guard, the previous should play effectively to maintain it for the rest of the yr.

If you’d like much more evaluation on the Eagles’ rookies, I’ve spoken about just a few on my podcast over at Eagles Pin-Pull Community, which you’ll find right here. Please be happy to hear!