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Eagles coach Doug Pederson: Young linemen made Eagles comfortable to trade Allen Barbre

Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Dillon Gordon will be valuable backups after the team traded Allen Barbre.

Eagles offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo.
Eagles offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo.Read more(Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)

Eagles coach Doug Pederson said the decision to trade Allen Barbre on Wednesday had to do with the team's confidence in their younger offensive linemen taking key reserve roles. Barbre, who the team planned to release before he was traded to the Broncos, was likely going to be a reserve after the team determined that Isaac Seumalo will be the front-runner to start at the left guard

"It's a situation where I feel comfortable, we feel comfortable, with some of the young guys on our roster," Pederson said. "To make the move now – and obviously, it worked out, we were able to get something for Allen and to do it now, early, it allows him to get established and allows our younger players to grow."

Even if Barbre wasn't going to start, he still could have been valuable as a gameday reserve who can play both tackle and guard. His starting experience would have been beneficial in that role, too. Perhaps Barbre was not interested in that type of demotion, but nonetheless, the Eagles believe they have second-year players who could fill it.

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"Dillon Gordon's right there. [Halapoulivaati Vaitai] had a chance to work the tackle spot a little more," Pederson said. "The best interest not only for Allen but for our team, this is the time to do it."

Gordon and Vaitai are two players to watch. It's likely that Vaitai, who started six games at right tackle last season, will be the top gameday reserve at offensive tackle. Stefen Wisniewski is likely to be the top interior reserve, able to play guard and center. The Eagles typically dress seven offensive linemen on game days.

Gordon, an undrafted rookie last season, converted from tight end and was kept on the 53-man roster throughout the season. The Eagles are encouraged by his development. He is the second-string left tackle, although if Jason Peters went down, the Eagles would likely move Lane Johnson to the left and insert Vaitai at right tackle.

"Vaitai, both of them, made a lot of progression," Johnson said. "Just getting off the ball, their setlines are a lot better, I just feel the knowledge has improved. Ten times the players they were last year."

Johnson also mentioned Matt Tobin as a player who can fill the guard/tackle role. Tobin has been with the Eagles for four seasons and started 20 games on the offensive line, including 15 at right guard and five at left guard. Chance Warmack is also a reserve guard who could earn playing time if Seumalo or Brandon Brooks were injuries.

However, Vaitai and Gordon are the two players to watch after Barbre's exit.