Over the next few weeks leading up to training camp, we’ll be counting down the top 25 most important Eagles for the 2025 season.
25. Andrew Mukuba
24. Jahan Dotson
23. Tanner McKee
22. Tyler Steen
21. Azeez Ojulari
20. Moro Ojomo
19. Kelee Ringo
18. Jihaad Campbell
17. Jalyx Hunt
16. Jordan Davis
15. Reed Blankenship
14. Dallas Goedert
13. Cam Jurgens
12. Nolan Smith
11. Landon Dickerson
10. Cooper DeJean
9. Quinyon Mitchell
8. DeVonta Smith
7. Jordan Mailata
One day, we need to see the Jordan Mailata Story on the big screen. Because it’s truly remarkable.
When you see the 28-year-old starting left tackle these days, you probably don’t even think about his backstory anymore. How he was a shot-in-the-dark seventh-round pick back in 2018, a newcomer to the sport leaving his homeland in Australia in an attempt to somehow make it in American football.
But Mailata didn’t just survive in the NFL. He’s thriving. And in 2024 he was one of the best left tackles in the league. While Mailata was limited to 12 games in the regular season because of a hamstring injury, he was incredible last season in those 12 games and in the four playoff games.
While ProFootballFocus grades and rankings should be taken with a grain of salt, PFF ranked Mailata as the best player in the NFL last season. Not the best tackle, not the best offensive lineman … but the best overall player in the league.
And entering the 2025 season, PFF has Mailata ranked as the game’s best tackle again, ahead of Tristan Wirfs, Rashawn Slater, Trent Williams and his teammate Lane Johnson:
“Mailata was the most complete offensive lineman in the NFL in 2024. Only two offensive tackles earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 90.0, and only two earned PFF run-blocking grades above 90.0. Philadelphia’s left tackle was the only one to achieve both feats. His 95.2 PFF overall grade also led the position.”
While you can certainly argue about Mailata’s place on that list, PFF does bring up a good point. Mailata doesn’t really have a weakness in his game. He’s excellent in pass protection but he’s also an absolute weapon in the run game. He was a big part of Saquon Barkley’s record-breaking season in 2025.
The recognition has been slow to roll in for Mailata. Missing some games last year probably led to his Pro Bowl snub but he did get a second-team All-Pro nod behind Wirfs from Tampa Bay.
But it’s clear what Mailata means to the Eagles. Not only is he a cornerstone of the offensive line but he was also a first-time captain in the Super Bowl season.
The Eagles last April signed Mailata to a three-year, $66 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2028 season. In terms of average annual salary, Mailata is the sixth highest-paid left tackle in the NFL. Mailata’s $22 million-per-season salary is behind Williams, Christian Darrisaw, Laremy Tunsil, Andrew Thomas and Jake Matthews.
With four years remaining on his contract, Mailata is already a great value. And as he enters his eighth season, Mailata is 28 and firmly in his prime as one of the best tackles in football.
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