Eagles' Markel Bell makes a surprising case to replace Lane Johnson
Grade: B-
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Markel Bell in the third round (68th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. Bell was thrust into the starting lineup in Week 4 when future Hall of Famer Lane Johnson abruptly retired.
Since his first game against the Rams, there have been small but very real improvements by Bell.
From his first start, Bell showed he knew how to use his massive frame (6-foot-9, 346 pounds) to his advantage. He used his length to combat quicker edge rushers in pass protection, and his mass to push piles and create rushing lanes in the run game.
Over his next two starts, Bell has also began playing with more confidence. His size makes him seem awkward at times as he plays a little upright and top-heavy, but he's extremely coordinated and balanced. As his comfort level increased, he's tested that balance by firing his hands out in pass protection and moving more quickly in his pass set. That has served him well.
He's also shown more power with more "pop" in his hands. As he makes initial contact with the defender, he's looking to move him out of the way, not just keep himself from moving backward.
One thing that has given Bell problems in the last two weeks is reach blocks. He hasn't quite gotten the timing and hand strength down to nimbly move down the line, latch onto a moving defender, and get him out of the way. It's a tough block to make at that size, but something he can improve on.
If Bell remains on this trajectory, the Eagles should feel confident they have a right tackle to move forward with, at least in the short term.
Final verdict: Bell's size, coordination and steady improvement have been encouraging. He's not a finished product, but Philadelphia may have found a promising answer following Johnson's retirement.
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