Eagles 1st-Round Pick Andre Dillard is Already a Stud and Howie Roseman Has Done it Again
By Mark Powell
The Eagles didn't necessarily draft from a position of need when they selected Andre Dillard in the first round this past April.
Yet, the 23-year-old out of Washington State is already proving the Eagles right, albeit with some distraction to boot. Such is the life of a rookie in the NFL. Dillard was used to being THE MAN in Pullman at Washington State University, and he's had to learn the hard way that these grown men at Eagles camp don't give a damn how high his recruiting ranking was or where he was selected by the franchise.
Andre Dillard, Elgton Jenkins and Patrick Mekari shining as pass-blockers early in preseason.https://t.co/mtmgho0wX8
— PFF (@PFF) August 19, 2019
PFF’s Ben Cooper examines the three rookie offensive linemen that have taken center stage through two weeks of the preseason. pic.twitter.com/UWxBVtwwOQ
Despite being involved in multiple training camp fights with the Eagles thus far, Dillard has put on a show when given the opportunity in the preseason, and the stats back that up.
Andre Dillard's preseason: 70 snaps, no pressures allowed.
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) August 19, 2019
While Dillard was ultimately deemed responsible for the hit on QB Cody Kessler which led to a concussion for the veteran QB, this is simply inaccurate. The pass-rusher can unimpeded to Kessler, with a miscommunication in protection to blame, rather than just one player.
lolololol howie is a machine. gonna sub him right in for peters next year
— charles mcdonald (MAN 101 STUDENT) (@FourVerts) August 19, 2019
And the best part about all of this is that Dillard doesn't have to start right away in Philadelphia, giving him the opportunity to learn behind the likes of Jason Peters.
Looks like Howie Roseman has done it again.