NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick quarterback Jalen Hurts at No. 53

With the 53rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select ... Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts?!?!

Wow. Talk about a pick out of left field.

There was some thought that the Eagles might take a developmental quarterback at some point in this year’s draft. But taking one in the second round?! No one saw this coming.

It looks like the Eagles won’t be adding a veteran quarterback behind Carson Wentz. Hurts will be the backup while Nate Sudfeld and Kyle Lauletta are set to battle it out for a third spot on the roster.

We know the Eagles highly value the backup quarterback spot but this draft was supposed to be about getting more talent to support Wentz. This pick does not accomplish that! The Eagles passed on a lot of quality talent emaining on the board to get Hurts.

It’s interesting to think about how the Eagles envision Hurts’ future. Are they really that concerned about Wentz’s injury history one year after signing him to a mega extension and he played in 17 games? Do the Eagles plan to use Hurts’ mobility for special packages on offenses? There are so many questions.

This pick also draws the Eagles’ decision not to offer their second-round pick to move up for CeeDee Lamb back into question. They couldn’t trade that pick because they had to select a quarterback instead?!

Getting back to the player a little bit, Hurts is a 21-year-old who began his college career at Alabama. He was benched for Tua Tagovailoa, a true freshman at the time, with the Crimson Tide trailing in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Hurts transferred to Oklahoma for his senior season in 2019 and posted strong numbers en route to finishing second to Joe Burow in Heisman Trophy voting.

Heading into this draft, I feel like I liked Hurts more than most. But I did not like him for the Eagles in the second round!

What is Howie Roseman doing here?

Scouting report via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

Like Tim Tebow, Hurts is a winning dual-threat quarterback known for his strength, toughness and character. Hurts is a more accurate passer and better runner than Tebow but is inconsistent as a decision-maker and tends to break the pocket when throws are there to be made. His deep-ball touch and intermediate accuracy improved this year so teams may see him as a developmental talent who will keep getting better in the right scheme. He’ll struggle to beat NFL defenses from the pocket, but his ability to grind out yards on the ground and make off-schedule plays should make him a solid backup with upward mobility.

College stats via Pro Football Reference:

Spider graph via Mockdraftable:

Highlights:

Grade the pick

Remaining Eagles draft picks

1st - No. 21 - Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

2nd - No. 53 - Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

3rd - No. 103

4th - No. 124

4th - No. 145

4th - No. 146

5th - No. 168

6th - No. 190

Eagles’ top remaining needs

Wide receiver

Linebacker

Safety

Cornerback