Kenyon Green: 5 things to know about the Eagles’ new offensive lineman

Texans perspective on Philadelphia’s new blocker.

The Philadelphia Eagles made an unpopular decision to trade C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans on Tuesday morning. In exchange for CJGJ, the Birds acquired 2022 first-round pick Kenyon Green.

Let’s learn more about the Eagles’ newest offensive lineman by getting a Texans perspective on him. Here’s what Scott Barzilla of Battle Red Blog had to say about Green through answers to my questions.

1) How would you recap his time with the Texans?

I’m seeing visions of the Hindenburg, Titanic, and maybe a SpaceX rocket or eight dancing in my head. Green came in out of shape in his rookie season, took a year off to get in shape during his second season, and was benched mid game in the middle of the season last year because he was getting beat like a New York mugging victim. He finally went down for the season with an injury. I don’t know a single Texans fan that is sad to see him go.

2) Green was one of the very worst guards graded by Pro Football Focus in 2022 and 2024. Do you think there’s any hope for him to turn it around in a new environment or is he just a lost cause?

That’s an interesting question. He was a first round pick, so there must have been something there. I think if any organization can get anything out of him it is Philly. You guys probably have the best OL coach in the business. I’m not sure what the breakdown here was. I’m sure part of it was simply missing on the prospect. Some of it was a lack of preparation on his part. Yet, I can’t help but think he just didn’t get the coaching he needed. Maybe he gets it in Philly.

3) What are his strengths?

He actually has been a strong run blocker when he is at his best. If you ask him to simply hit the hell out of the guy in front of him, he can actually do that well.

4) What are his weaknesses?

He was an absolutely abysmal pass protector. I think the biggest problem is when he has to think. He seemed to struggle with stunts and delayed blitzes where he has to choose which defender to pick up.

5) Anything to know about him off the field?

I will give him credit for one thing. He worked hard in the season he took off to get back in shape. He came into camp in good shape and seemed to work hard. I think you will get a guy willing to work and hopefully with better coaching and a different scheme that will make him a usable piece.

BLG’s take: Interested to see how Green fits in Philly. Just because the Eagles acquired him in this deal doesn’t mean he’s definitely starting at right guard in 2025. But it does seem like the soon-to-be 24-year-old could compete with Tyler Steen for that role. I’m not going to deny that Jeff Stoutland could help turn Green into a useful player. But it’s not like literally every offensive lineman that Stoutland touches turns to gold; the Eagles have had some misses during his tenure (Andre Dillard and Jamon Brown, to name a couple of players). Green might turn out to be a good pickup. His run blocking ability is an intriguing fit for the Eagles’ offense. But Green has a very large bridge to gap from being as bad as he’s been to being a reliable starter. It’s possible it doesn’t come together for him. If Green doesn’t end up providing value, the Eagles will have traded CJGJ for the mere gain of moving up from the sixth round to the fifth round in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Film grinder analysis:

Pre-draft scouting report:

Guard prospect with NFL-ready frame who plays with an impressive level of consistency as a run blocker. Green moves defenders from Point A to Boint B against their will, using hand technique and road-grading leg drive. He possesses adequate foot quickness to operate in a variety of run schemes, but needs to eliminate his tendency to grab when his opponent is slipping away from the block. He has pop and anchor in pass protection, but lacks recognition and mirror technique needed to be at his best against athletic interior rushers. While Green has some areas to improve, his run blocking can be dominant, which gives him a chance to become a good starter very quickly.

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