Crucial NFL off-season looms for Mailata
The Philadelphia Eagles' season is over but Australian giant Jordan Mailata begins a crucial phase to prove he can be a starter in the NFL.
The Eagles protected the inexperienced 203cm tall, 157kg former South Sydney Rabbitohs junior during his 2018-19 rookie season by keeping him on the bench.
But with at least three offensive line veterans potentially leaving the team opportunities are expected to open for Mailata.
"We have a lot of confidence in some of our young players," Eagles head coach Doug Pederson told reporters.
"Jordan Mailata and (Matt) Pryor and Big V (Halapoulivaati Vaitai) has played a ton of snaps, and Isaac (Seumalo).
"So we have a lot of confidence in them, too.
"This will be a big off-season for those guys."
The Eagles are tipped to part with Mailata's mentor, nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters.
Peters, who turns 37 next week and has been dogged by injuries, will cost the team $US10.7 million ($A14.9 million) if he stays next season.
A cloud also hangs over two-time Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks who suffered an achilles tear in Sunday's playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints.
The Eagles' two-time first-team All-Pro centre Jason Kelce is contemplating retirement.
Mailata, an offensive tackle, is signed to a four-year $US2.549 million ($A3.559 million) contract.
The 21-year-old spent the final games of the regular season and playoffs on the injured reserve list after he was diagnosed with a fractured vertebra.
The Eagles gambled on selecting the physically gifted Mailata in the seventh round of last year's draft despite the Australian never playing a game of American football.
The team will be closely watching his improvement when organised team activities begin in April and training camp starts in July.
