5 breakout stars to watch for Philadelphia Eagles in 2020

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 05: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside #19 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 05, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 03: Andre Dillard #77 of the Philadelphia Eagles guards Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

4. T Andre Dillard

Admittedly, replacing a nine-time Pro Bowler and 16-year veteran in the trenches isn’t easy to do. But that is the task facing 2018 first-round draft choice Andre Dillard.

As a rookie, he appeared in only one game. This past season, the 22nd overall selection in ‘18 played in all 16 contests and the playoff loss to the Seahawks. He made three starts at left tackle in place of Jason Peters and one start at right tackle in place of Lane Johnson. In terms of the left side, he faced the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears in consecutive outings and there were encouraging signs.

“I definitely think I’m improving each week,” said Dillard last November to Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Still not very experienced. Still need to get that experience. That just comes with the (practice) days, the opportunities, the games, everything. I’ve got to keep stacking on the days.”

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger also noticed Dillard’s progress a year ago. “You go up against Jerry Hughes two weeks ago; you go up against Khalil Mack. Those are two really experienced upper-level pass-rushers. But he held his own.”

Peters won’t be back with the Birds in 2020. It is Dillard’s time to shine and he’ll be counted on to more than hold his own this fall.

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