When the Eagles selected rugby league player Jordan Mailata in the 7th round of the 2018 NFL Draft, they knew they were selecting a player with no knowledge of the game of football, but had so much raw potential that they took the chance on him.
On his first ever real football play, Mailata allowed a sack. Ever since that play, Mailata has been looking like a real offensive lineman (albeit facing 3rd and 4th stringed defensive linemen). In fact, his play has improved so vastly, that former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker says that Mailata will be an all-pro, and a carbon copy of future Hall-of-Famer Jason Peters.
Tucker isn't the only former offensive lineman that has had their eyes opened by watching Mailata, former Eagles offensive lineman Brian Baldinger has been watching him closely, and only has nice things to say when it comes to the Aussie left tackle.
Not impressed because the former players weren't really outstanding offensive lineman themselves? Well former Eagles Pro Bowl LT Tra Thomas also sees Mailata's potential.
Tired of hearing former players rave about him? Lane Johnson chimed in after last night's preseason finale and said it's going to be down-right scary when he has more knowledge underneath his belt.
If he pans out at all and becomes just a serviceable offensive lineman, Howie Roseman is going to look like even more of a genius to Eagles fans and the rest of the league. Anything more than that and it would just be icing on top of Roseman's cake.
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