Markel Bell vs. Ravens pass rush among top preseason matchups

Markel Bell has spent training camp learning from Lane Johnson and competing against one of the NFL’s deepest defensive fronts. Saturday night will bring a different type of test. The Philadelphia Eagles will open the preseason against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, giving Bell his first opportunity to handle NFL pass rushers under game conditions.

The third-round pick is listed as Johnson’s primary backup at right tackle on Philadelphia’s first unofficial depth chart. With Johnson among the established veterans unlikely to receive significant preseason work, Bell could play enough snaps for the Eagles to conduct a meaningful evaluation.

Baltimore’s edge group should make those snaps valuable.

Green enters his second season with increased expectations after producing 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a rookie. His burst and ability to threaten the edge will challenge Bell’s footwork and pass sets. At 6-foot-9 and 346 pounds, Bell possesses exceptional length and mass. Those traits can make him difficult to move once he establishes his hands, but his height also creates challenges against quicker defenders who can force him to bend and redirect.

Green will attempt to win with speed, make Bell open his hips early and create access to an inside counter. Bell doesn’t need to dominate every repetition. He must show that he can remain balanced, recover after losing initial leverage and prevent pressure from reaching the quarterback.

Where Green can challenge Bell with quickness, Robinson can test his ability to handle power.

Robinson is listed at 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds, giving him the size and length to attack offensive tackles directly. He recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks despite missing seven games last season, but setting the edge remains one of his most valuable traits.

The matchup could become especially revealing during running plays. Bell must generate movement without allowing Robinson to extend his arms, control the block and close the rushing lane. Philadelphia wants its offensive linemen to play with physicality. Robinson will provide a reliable measure of whether Bell’s college strength translates immediately against NFL defenders.

Jesse Minter has announced that Baltimore’s established starters will sit, but the Ravens still have several developing pass rushers who need preseason snaps. Rookie Zion Young brings size, power and athleticism. Kaimon Rucker is competing for a rotational role, while Adisa Isaac and Ethan Burke also need productive performances to strengthen their standing on the depth chart.

Each defender can test a different part of Bell’s game. Facing multiple rush styles will require the rookie to adjust his set points, hand placement and timing throughout the night.

That matters because reserve tackles don’t always receive the luxury of preparing for one opponent. If Bell is called into action during the regular season, he must be capable of handling speed rushers, power players and defensive fronts that disguise where pressure is coming from.

One sack allowed won’t define Bell’s night, just as one dominant block won’t prove he is ready to replace Johnson.

The Eagles will study how he communicates with the right guard, recognizes stunts and responds after a difficult repetition. Penalties and missed assignments may matter more than an isolated physical loss.

Philadelphia also needs to see whether Bell can maintain his technique as fatigue sets in. The rookie could receive extended work after spending training camp rotating behind Johnson. Bell has already earned strong praise from the six-time All-Pro. Johnson called him one of the best rookies he has been around and expressed confidence in Bell as a potential successor at right tackle.

The Eagles know Bell has rare physical traits. A challenging matchup against Baltimore’s pass rush will begin to reveal how quickly those traits can translate into dependable NFL production.

Saturday represents the next step.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Markel Bell vs. Ravens pass rush among top preseason matchups