Eagles News: Struggling to make sense of the Jalen Hurts pick

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Eagles’ second-round selection of QB Jalen Hurts is a head-scratcher - Inquirer
But the only way Hurts can be valuable as a possible trade commodity is if Wentz misses significant time. While that is certainly possible considering his recent injury history, it is a cynical way to build a team. The Eagles don’t have the Super Bowl-winning roster they had three years ago. They still have more talent than most, and thus have a chance to make the playoffs. But this offseason was, in part, about rebuilding and infusing the team with young players to build around Wentz.

NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick quarterback Jalen Hurts at No. 53 - BGN
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?!

2020 BGN Draft #12: Eagles Select Jalen Hurts - Live Reaction - BGN Radio
Michael Kist is joined by Shamus Clancy for their live reaction of the Eagles selection of Jalen freakin’ Hurts at 53rd overall ... Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.

Trying to Understand - Iggles Blitz
I remember the 2009 offseason. The Eagles had Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and A.J. Feeley. Your QB of the present, of the future and the eternal backup. No need to mess with that. Then Andy Reid went and signed Michael Vick. Always look to improve QB. But pick 53? Again, that just makes things different. Those Packers picks came in the mid to late rounds of the draft. Some were free agents. There is nothing wrong with using resources on QBs. Pick 53 is just too early. You are looking for an impact starter out of that spot. Maybe not for this season, but certainly for the future. And this isn’t a situation where Hurts is being groomed to take over for Wentz. Carson is 27 years old. He could play for 8 to 10 more years. Hurts is here to be the backup QB and an insurance policy.

Eagles surprisingly take Sooners QB Jalen Hurts in 2nd round of NFL draft - ESPN
Given that the Eagles handed Carson Wentz a four-year, $128 million extension in June, there wasn’t an expectation that they would use this high of a pick on another quarterback, but Philadelphia showed once again that it is serious about investing heavily in the position. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said the decision to draft Hurts was “independent of” Wentz, adding, “There’s no threat to Carson here.” “We have shown how we feel about Carson by our actions, by the amount of picks we put into him, and we showed it by the contract extension,” Roseman said. “We believe this is the guy to lead us to our next Super Bowl championship. But for better or worse, we are QB developers.”

2020 NFL Draft: Eagles move to draft Jalen Hurts has everything to do with Carson Wentz - NBCSP
This wasn’t a draft pick as much as a powerful message from the Eagles that they don’t think Carson Wentz can stay healthy. That’s the only way to read it. The Packers raised eyebrows when they drafted Jordan Love Thursday in the first round since Aaron Rodgers is “only” 36. The Eagles pissed off Donovan McNabb when they took Kevin Kolb in the second round in 2009, when McNabb was already 33. Wentz just turned 27. The Eagles guaranteed him over $100 MILLION just 10 months ago. You don’t draft a quarterback in the second round when you have a $100 million quarterback just reaching his prime unless you have grave doubts about his ability to stay healthy.

Jalen Hurts was a college success. Can he now become the Eagles’ franchise QB? - SB Nation
But don’t let all that talent fool you. When Hurts let the ball rip downfield, it was usually placed right where it needed to be. Few quarterbacks in college football were more accurate on throws at least 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. According to Football Outsiders’ Derrik Klassen, Hurts was accurate on 77.3 percent of his passes 11-15 yards downfield. Among top quarterbacks in the draft class, Joe Burrow was the next closest but at 66.2 percent. Over and over, Hurts gave his skillful receivers opportunities to make plays.

The Eagles and Jalen Hurts Know What They’re Getting Themselves Into - The Ringer
On Friday night, the Eagles put their second-round draft pick where their mouth is. Philadelphia selected Oklahoma (né Alabama) quarterback Jalen Hurts with the 52nd pick, giving them one of the league’s highest-upside second quarterbacks—and a guy who’s good enough to become Philadelphia’s first quarterback. It is a potentially wise and definitely awkward move that could signal the beginning of the end for Wentz in Philadelphia, though Eagles general manager Howie Roseman doesn’t see it that way. “For better or worse, we’re quarterback developers,” Roseman told reporters on Friday. “We want to be a quarterback factory.”

NFL Draft Day 2 superlatives: SEC domination, Jalen Hurts and a very good dog - The Athletic
I’m old enough to remember when the Eagles signed Carson Wentz to a $128 million contract extension, because that was only last year. Conventional wisdom throughout the league, and most of the discussion on the joint ESPN-NFL Network broadcast, was that the Eagles would create packages of plays for Hurts, perhaps in a similar fashion to how the Saints use backup quarterback Taysom Hill in a variety of roles. Even if Hurts were to score a few touchdowns and become a fan favorite in a very limited role, it’s hard to see that justifying the investment the Eagles made by selecting him at No. 53. The only scenario I can imagine that would make Hurts’ selection worth it is if he swoops in and, in Nick Foles-fashion, wins a Super Bowl and becomes a highly tradeable asset (for at least a first-rounder) within the next two seasons.

’We think this is the most important position in sports’ - PE.com
How much better Hurts makes the Eagles in 2020 remains to be seen, but that’s missing part of the point. Roseman talked about the Eagles in the sense that “we are quarterback developers. We want to be a quarterback factory,” and the goal is to have a three-deep situation with assets the Eagles can leverage now and in the future. There has been talk about using Hurts’ unique abilities in a similar way that New Orleans at times relieves starter Drew Brees with Taysom Hill, and maybe that comes into play at some point, but that’s not why the Eagles drafted Hurts. They took him because they fell in love with him through their scouting process. And the deeper they dug on Hurts, the more they liked. That’s why he’s an Eagle.

EAGLES WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD AROUND CARSON WENTZ - Football Stories
Finally I believe the Eagles need to think hard about investing in one of my favorite players in this draft, QB, Jalen Hurts. WHAAAAT? Yes, you read me correctly. This is a dynamic player who has won and lead at two of the best college programs in the Country. He improved as a passer this year at OU, while running for 43 touchdowns in 42 career starts. He didn’t even think about transferring when Tua beat him out. He gutted it out and became a great backup QB, leading the Tide to a comeback win in the 2018 SEC Championship game vs Georgia. He reminds me of a bigger and stronger Russell Wilson. I might part ways with my No.53 pick in the second round to get him on my team. [BLG Note: Brian Baldinger wrote this article one month ago today.]

Oklahoma Sooners Football: QB Jalen Hurts selected No. 53 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles - Crimson And Cream Machine
Statistically, Hurts’ 2019 run with the Sooners was by far the most prolific of his career, both on the ground and through the air. When the season was all said and done, he had amassed 3,851 passing yards, 1,298 rushing yards, and threw 32 TDs to just eight INTs while adding 20 more scores with his legs. All things considered, such as winning a Big 12 Championship, finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting and making a fourth trip to the CFP, it’s certainly a campaign worth celebrating. Now he’ll join Eagles Nation to continue one of the more remarkable playing careers in recent memory.

Philadelphia Eagles select Davion Taylor in Round 3 of 2020 NFL Draft - Ralphie Report
Taylor is considered a raw prospect because of his unique background. He only played two total games in his high school career because strict religious beliefs required him to observe the Sabbath, which for Seventh Day Adventists is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. He wasn’t able to play under Friday night lights, but he proved to himself at practice that this could be his future. With no scholarship offers to choose from, he had to walk-on at Coahoma Community College (Clarksdale, Miss.) just to get on the field. Thanks to his tremendous work ethic, he earned a starting position, drew attention from CU and various SEC programs, and made his to major college football. After years more of film study and practice, he made himself into a star defender. He should continue to improve as he’s shaped by NFL coaching and development.

2020 NFL Draft: Introducing Davion Taylor, Colorado’s Senior Bowl Invite - Music City Miracles
The 2020 NFL draft is loaded with defensive playmakers, with many of this year’s top prospects hailing from some of the most storied programs in the nation. While those bigger names may be stealing the headlines for now, you’d be hard pressed to find a better story than Colorado’s Davion Taylor, who somehow found himself playing college football at Colorado despite only playing four quarters of high school football. A versatile defender, Taylor will be representing Colorado at the Senior Bowl this month. Taylor recently spoke exclusively with MCM about the moment he learned he had received an invite to the Senior Bowl, his incredible journey up until now and more. [BLG Note: Interview back from January.]

Grading the landing spots for each rookie wide receiver so far - Fake Teams
Jalen Reagor to the Philadelphia Eagles. I was going to fall in love with whatever receiver the Eagles drafted simply because they needed receiving help so badly. But I’m even more excited about Reagor because of how well he fits within the Eagles offense. He has plenty of speed to get down the field and plays bigger than his frame, flashing the ability to win jump balls. He’s not perfect but he’s probably my favorite first round receiver in terms of 2020 fantasy. Grade: A.

2020 NFL Draft Second-Day Grades: “Jerry Jones is crushing this draft” - Blogging The Boys
A review of the draft grades the Cowboys have received so far for their second-day picks. [BLG Note: The Cowboys are having a great draft. The Eagles are drafting a backup quarterback who ideally never plays a snap for them in the second round.]

Instant analysis: What the Giants are getting in Alabama safety Xavier McKinney - Big Blue View
I thought the Giants may look into safeties with a bit more range than McKinney — safeties who can really excel in the single high role. McKinney can do it, but not to the level of some prospects left in the draft. With that being said, McKinney is a better overall safety than these other players. The best safety in the draft went off the board at 36, and the Giants were the beneficiary. His toughness, smarts, and overall competence will assist the Giants defense, and make it a stronger unit.

Grade the Redskins Pick!: Antonio Gibson, WR/RB, Memphis - Hogs Haven
The Redskins have made their first pick on Day 2 of the NFL draft and it’s already a controversial one. Washington selected Memphis WR/RB Antonio Gibson and some fans already hate, while other fans know the team needed more speed, and more weapons for 2nd-year QB Dwayne Haskins Jr. The Redskins plan to use Gibson at RB, WR, and on special teams. They’ve already called him a swiss army knife and compared him to Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey.

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