The Philadelphia Eagles lost a key player to injury when they placed offensive tackle Jordan Mailata on the injured reserve. A five-year starter on one of the league’s stronger offensive lines, the former Rugby star aggravated his hamstring and will miss at least the next four weeks of the season. Hamstring injuries are notoriously fickle, and the fact Philadelphia already conceded four games of availability does not bode well for his future. Sitting behind the Washington Commanders in a competitive NFC East, the Eagles could trade for someone like Walker Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars while Mailata returns to health.
Originally selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Stanford product started 11 games in 2023 but has been relegated to backup work in 2024. Set to be a free agent at the end of the season, the tanking Jaguars would probably trade Walker Little for whatever they can get. While he never played up to his draft capital, the former second-round pick is an adequate backup and short-term starter who could keep Philadelphia’s season afloat. Of course, the Eagles aren’t the only team looking for offensive line help, as the New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars could also fight for his services.
Eagles Could Trade For Walker Little After Jordan Mailata Injury – Might Battle Saints, Chiefs
The New Orleans Saints are at something of a crossroads. At 2-5, their season is effectively over and they should consider blowing it up and embracing a rebuild. However, years of kicking the can down the road all but ensures a one-year rebuild is not possible. Head coach Dennis Allen probably won’t be back next year and, with his future uncertain, he could justify a conditional late-round pick swap in a Walker Little trade. While the Eagles will struggle to overcome the Jordan Mailata injury, the Saints have overgone far worse during the short season.
Following a dominant 2-0 start to the season, New Orleans lost five straight games while starter after starter went down to injury. The only healthy players remaining on the offensive line are first-round pick Tailese Fuaga and right tackle Trevor Penning. Fuaga looks like the real deal, but Penning has done nothing to shed the ‘bust’ labels. Walker Little might not be a future Hall of Famer, but the trade target can battle Penning for the starting job. Whether it’s Derek Carr trying to salvage the season or fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler auditioning for the future, someone must keep the quarterback from getting hit right after the snap.
More Help For Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs have the best interior offensive line in football, but their tackle situation needs some help. Veterans Wanya Morris and Jawaan Taylor are below-average starters and second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia is not ready to face NFL competition. Taylor’s contract makes him impossible to bench, and while it’s too early to give up on Suamataia’s potential, the Chiefs must look for a better short-term option than Morris. The Eagles might get desperate following the Jordan Mailata injury, but if they don’t offer anything crazy for Walker Little, the Chiefs should consider matching their price.
With Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice done for the season, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has to make it work with an aging Travis Kelce and an inexperienced Xavier Worthy. The two-time MVP is easily good enough to get this done, but adding better blocking should allow for him to connect with the speedy Worthy at a higher rate.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports
