Eagles' undrafted free agent signing could be answer to filling Mekhi Becton void
The Philadelphia Eagles could have their Mekhi Becton replacement at right guard in one of their free agency signings. According to Eagles insider Dave Zangaro, the Eagles had Hollin Pierce take snaps at right guard during rookie minicamp over the weekend. "Pierce, a UDFA out of Rutgers, played right tackle and left tackle in college. […]
The Philadelphia Eagles could have their Mekhi Becton replacement at right guard in one of their free agency signings.
According to Eagles insider Dave Zangaro, the Eagles had Hollin Pierce take snaps at right guard during rookie minicamp over the weekend.
"Pierce, a UDFA out of Rutgers, played right tackle and left tackle in college. He was at right guard on this day. (He’s a big man at 6-8, 341 pounds)," Zangaro wrote in his observation notes.
Pierce has the same build as Becton (6-7, 364 pounds), who also played tackle before Eagles offensive coordinator Vic Fangio moved him to right guard.
Hollins Pierce Was a Walk-On Star At Rutgers
Pierce, a 6-foot-8, 344-pound offensive lineman, was originally a walk-on at Rutgers ahead of the 2020 season. He ended up making a splash as a redshirt freshman in 2021, playing in all 13 games, starting 12 at right tackle, and earning the Mark Mills Second Effort Award as the program's most improved offensive player during spring practice.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2022, Pierce started all 12 games at right tackle and even got into the conversation for the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes to the top player who started as a walk-on.
In 2023, Pierce was moved to left tackle to protect Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt's blindside. He started every game that year, helping improve the offensive line and giving star running back Kyle Monangai the support he needed to lead the Big Ten in rushing yards. The line also allowed the fewest sacks per game in the conference. Pierce earned a solid 72.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him the sixth-best offensive tackle in the Big Ten.
Pierce kept it going in 2024, finishing with an 85.4 Pro Football Focus grade, good for second in the Big Ten and 15th nationally. Monangai had another great season, and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis posted one of the program's best seasons in a decade. The offensive line's strong play even earned them a spot on the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll, which recognizes the best offensive line unit in the country.
Pierce will certainly be a name to watch this offseason and a great Cinderella story to follow as the Eagles look to find their next Mekhi Becton.
