The journey that Philadelphia Eagles rookie offensive lineman Hollin Pierce has been on to to this point is remarkable, so why not just take it a step further?
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski believe Pierce, an undrafted free agent, could very well shock the world and make the 53-man roster for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Pierce, 6-foot-8 and 341 pounds, started his career at Rutgers at almost 500 pounds, dropped over 100 pounds and wound up a 4-year starter and 2-time All-Big Ten selection.
“Hollin Pierce may follow the path set forth by Mekhi Becton despite starting 50 games at tackle for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights,” Sobleski wrote on July 24. “The former walk-on dropped over 100 pounds from when he entered his collegiate program. He started at both tackle spots. The 24-year-old prospect may ultimately end up at guard, where veterans Kendall Lamm and Kenyon Green are expected to serve as backups but aren’t signed beyond the upcoming season.”
Pierce is currently listed at No. 3 on the depth chart at left offensive tackle behind NFL All-Pro Jordan Mailata and fellow rookie Myles Hinton.
Unclear Why Pierce’s Draft Stock Plummeted
It was probably a shock to Pierce and his representatives just like it was to everyone else when he wasn’t selected in the 2025 NFL draft.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein — essentially the crystal ball of draft experts — had Pierce projected as a fifth round pick with tremendous upside. Some draft projections had Pierce as high as a third round pick.
“Four-year starting tackle with unrivaled measurables and disruptive power for his height,” Zierlein wrote. “Pierce plays with adequate technique in the run game and imposes his massive frame on static ends to widen the C-gap … His size makes him hard to navigate and he does a nice job of pushing rushers past the pocket. Quick inside counters could eat him up on the next level, though. It won’t always go smoothly, but Pierce’s effective use of his traits gives him a chance to become an NFL right tackle.”
“Hollin Pierce is an underrated player I’ve had my eye on all draft season who has been proving himself at the Shrine Bowl,” NFL Draft Files wrote on its official X account in January. “He’s 6’8, 342 lbs w/ the third longest arms EVER recorded (36 5/8”). He’s a former walk-on who started 50 games at Rutgers. His potential is SKY HIGH.”
https://x.com/NFL_DF/status/1883906556099793310
Eagles Have NFL’s Elite Offensive Line
Whether Pierce’s future is with the Eagles — on their roster or practice squad — he would be well served to pay close attention to how the Eagles starters work.
That’s because not only do the Eagles currently have the NFL’s best offensive line, they have a group that could very well be one of the NFL’s greatest offensive line units of all time.
Think that’s hyperbole? Of the 4 Philadelphia Eagles offensive line starters returning off last year’s Super Bowl winning team, 2 were named NFL All-Pro in 2024 with offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata and the other 2, guard Landon Dickerson and center Cam Jurgens, were both named Pro Bowlers.
