Eagles' deal for Chance Warmack creates intrigue on offensive line

The Eagles signed offensive lineman Chance Warmack to a one-year deal Thursday, taking a chance on a former Top 10 pick and creating intrigue about what the Eagles are doing on their offensive line.

Coming out of Alabama in 2013, Warmack was considered a potential Eagles draft target. The Eagles had the No. 4 overall selection, and Warmack was considered the rare interior offensive line prospect worthy of such a high pick.

At that year's combine, then-Eagles coach Chip Kelly said, "I know he's a really good player."

Howie Roseman called him "a heckuva player" and "a difference maker."

As it turned out, the Eagles picked Lane Johnson, and Warmack went No. 10 to Tennessee that year. He was a Day 1 starter and started all 48 games he played for the Titans though he never developed into an elite guard with them. The team did not pick up Warmack's fifth-year option last offseason. Things got worse when a finger injury ended Warmack's 2016 season after two games.

So he comes to the Eagles trying to rebuild the reputation that preceded him when he came out of college.

The person who is responsible for helping Warmack is offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who coached Warmack during his all-American career with the Crimson Tide.

Warmack is only 25, and at 6-foot-2 and 323 pounds, he fits the profile of a stout interior lineman. The question is, where does he fit? As of now, the Eagles return all of their 2016 starting offensive linemen, with left guard Allen Barbre expected back in 2017.

Warmack could enter the starting lineup at left guard with Barbre becoming a swing lineman capable of playing guard or tackle. Or Warmack can be a backup like Stefen Wisniewski last season. Similar to Wisniewski, he signs a one-year deal after starting every game of his career.

The Eagles still need to open cap space, so veterans on the line such as Jason Kelce aren't yet completely safe. But in Warmack, the Eagles have a former first-round with a starting background. In the coming days, they'll need to explain how they plan to use him.