By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus released its offensive line rankings for all 32 teams heading into the 2017 season. Coming in at the top spot is the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles' placement as the No. 1 offensive line unit in the NFL isn't surprising, but not fully expected.
The popular pro football analytic site considers the Eagles offensive line as "having the fewest holes." Though they mention center Jason Kelce as the unit's biggest question mark, Lane Johnson, when on the field, is the best right tackle in football. There is nothing to argue with Pro Football Focus' brief take on the No. 1 offensive line. But can the unit live up to the hype as the season approaches?
Howie Roseman's return to the role as Vice President of Football Operations in January 2016 began with a difficult task of retooling an offensive line that was depleted under Chip Kelly, who failed to draft a lineman in two consecutive drafts.
Roseman drafted Isaac Seumalo and Halapoulivaati Vaitai in last year's draft, and signed Brandon Brooks and Stefen Wisniewski as free agents. This past offseason, Roseman continued to fortify the depth of the offensive line by signing Chance Warmack, and electing to keep veteran left tackle Jason Peters, who recently signed a one-year contract extension. All of these moves within the past calendar year has added supreme depth to the offensive line.
Digging deeper into the potential of the Eagles' offensive line heading into 2017, there are players that posses tremendous versatility. For example, Seumalo should have the inside track to start at left guard as training camp nears, but he can play center as well. If Kelce has a shaky camp, especially after an inconsistent 2016, it can't be ruled out that Seumalo, who played center at Oregon State, could supplant him. If that scenario plays out, then Allen Barbre, Warmack and Wisniewski can battle for the starting left guard spot. And Wisniewski has played center in the NFL, too.
If Peters' age and injury concerns come a reality in 2017, the offensive line shouldn't be significantly impacted thanks to the emergence of Vaitai last season, and the capability of Johnson sliding from right tackle to left tackle. It is likely that versatility played a huge part in Pro Football Focus' decision to rank the Eagles as having the number-one offensive line.
Building stability at the offensive line position is pivotal to the success of upcoming second-year quarterback Carson Wentz. When the Eagles selected Wentz with the number-two overall pick in last year's draft, Roseman and the front office knew that it was essential to improve the line. Protecting him, and adding a strong running game are monumental to the team's potential for 2017 and beyond.
Not only did the Eagles make it a priority to improve their offensive line during the past two offseasons, but this spring Roseman also made it a point to upgrade the defensive line with the acquisition of Tim Jernigan, addition of Chris Long and drafting Derek Barnett in the first round. Having quality line play on both sides of the football is one of the major keys to success in football.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Dallas Cowboys as the ninth-best offensive line heading into 2017. The site stated that Ronald Leary and Doug Free were quality linemen in their own right, and Leary signed with Denver, while Free has retired. The biggest question mark, according to PFF, is La'el Collins, who is expected to move to right tackle this upcoming season. He didn't grade out favorably at guard in 2016.
For the rest of the NFC East, the Redskins were slotted as the 11th-ranked offensive line, and the New York Giants came in at 28th. The Giants issues start with former first-round pick Ereck Flowers, who has had serious problems in pass protection during his brief two-year career.
The positive chatter surrounding the Eagles' offensive line can come to fruition, but of course, preseason hype could equate to disappointment as well. We have seen that on more than a few occasions with this team during recent memory.
Pro Football Focus' offensive line rankings are supported with legit reasons, but the Eagles will have to show that potential on the field beginning in September.
