The Philadelphia Eagles have built their championship foundation from the trenches, and their dominance was showcased when left tackle Jordan Mailata was recognized as the NFL's premier offensive lineman heading into 2025 according to Pro Football Focus rankings.
PFF's evaluation of the league's top 32 offensive tackles for the 2025 season placed Mailata at No. 1, surpassing San Francisco's Trent Williams. The former Australian rugby star's ascension represents validation of Philadelphia's development system and the exceptional coaching of Jeff Stoutland, who transformed Mailata into one of his most important success stories.
Mailata's journey from the rugby pitches of Bankstown, Sydney, to the NFL's summit remains remarkable. Born in Australia, he played rugby league for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs before pursuing NFL dreams through the International Player Pathway Program. His 6-foot-8, 365-pound frame caught the Eagles' attention, but Stoutland's masterful development turned potential into elite production.
Under Stoutland's wing, Mailata became the most complete offensive tackle in football. As PFF analyst Zoltan Buday noted, "Only two offensive tackles earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 90.0, and only two earned PFF run-blocking grades above 90.0. Philadelphia's left tackle was the only one to achieve both feats." His 95.2 overall PFF grade led all offensive tackles.
Mailata's excellence pairs with teammate Lane Johnson (No. 5 ranking) to give Philadelphia the NFL's best tackle tandem. This duo anchored the line that enabled Saquon Barkley's historic 2,500-yard rushing season (regular season and postseason), showcasing how Stoutland's systematic approach creates cohesive units that maximize collective performance.
At 28, Mailata earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024. Despite his PFF dominance, he was surprisingly omitted from the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections, suggesting 2025 could bring overdue recognition.
In a league where pass rush continues evolving, having elite protection on both edges becomes increasingly valuable. Jordan Mailata's recognition validates his remarkable journey from Bankstown rugby fields to American football's pinnacle, serving as the crown jewel in Jeff Stoutland's impressive coaching legacy while anchoring Philadelphia's championship aspirations.