NFL $HIT Talk

these squads are in a tough spot come free agency

The Chargers plan to release guard Mekhi Becton in the coming days, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The move saves Los Angeles $9.7 million on the cap.

49ers might sign Joey Bosa 😂

Kyler Murray says goodbye to Arizona ❤️

(via K1/X)

In ESPN’s latest mock draft, Caleb Lomu is projected to Philadelphia at No. 23.

This is not because there’s an emergency at right tackle today, but because there might be one tomorrow.

And that tomorrow revolves around Lane Johnson.

Johnson will be 36 next season. He missed eight games in 2025. He is under contract through 2027, but durability questions are real.

When you’re protecting a franchise quarterback, you don’t gamble on “maybe.”

That’s why this projection makes sense.

Lomu spent three seasons at Utah, played 27 games, earned All-Freshman honors in 2024, and followed it up with First-Team All-Big Ten recognition.

He has the frame, the movement skills, and the versatility to play either tackle spot.

Only one concern is play strength, but it can be developed…especially while learning behind a future Hall of Famer.

And that’s the key here.

Ideally, Lomu wouldn’t need to start right away. He’d add strength, absorb knowledge, and grow under Johnson’s mentorship.

But if injuries hit again, he could be called upon sooner than expected.

Eagles have drafted successors before. They’ve always believed in building the trenches first. Depth in the short term. Stability in the long term.

If Lomu is there at 23, it wouldn’t just be a pick for 2026.

It would be a pick for life after Lane Johnson.