Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson has witnessed the team’s knack for unearthing late-round gems over the years, with Jason Kelce and Jordan Mailata standing as prime examples of the organization’s draft prowess. Now, the Eagles are banking on their 2025 draft class to produce similar success, having selected three offensive linemen—Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton, and Cameron Williams—in the later rounds.
While these rookies are still far from seeing significant playing time, they’re already making waves off the field. Johnson, a veteran leader at 35, has been notably impressed by the trio’s performance in the classroom during early team activities.
“They’re very smart, very in tune,” Johnson said of the rookies’ work in meeting rooms. “When coaches ask questions—what’s this, what’s that—they’re on top of it. They’ve been a lot of fun so far, and I know they’re excited for camp. From when they arrived to now, they’ve picked things up incredibly fast. It’s making the transition to camp a lot smoother.”
The Eagles’ offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, has a proven track record of transforming young talent into reliable starters, which only heightens the intrigue surrounding Kendall, Hinton, and Williams. With Johnson’s eventual retirement looming, the team is actively searching for his successor, and one of these late-round picks could rise to the occasion.
For now, though, the rookies’ ability to earn the respect of veterans like Johnson is just as critical as their potential on-field contributions. Johnson has expressed his satisfaction with their work ethic and rapid progress, signaling that they’re already laying a strong foundation.
“They’ve left a great impression,” Johnson added. “It’s exciting to see how quickly they’re adapting.”
While Kendall, Hinton, and Williams have yet to prove themselves in live action, their early strides in the classroom under Stoutland’s guidance suggest they could be the next late-round steals for the Eagles. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on these rookies to see if they can translate their mental sharpness into physical dominance on the field.