Draft only Hurts when you try to validate it
On the second day of the draft, quarterback Jalen Hurts became the most polarizing Eagles pick since, well, the first day of the draft.
And on the first day the Eagles outraged fans by selecting Jalen Reagor and his game-breaking speed instead of a small handful of much more accomplished wide receivers. It was a loud statement the club was ready to move on from DeSean Jackson.
The second-day selection should make you wonder what the Eagles really think about the career span of Carson Wentz, who not so long ago signed a massive longterm contract but hasn’t physically been able to finish the last three seasons.
The drama never ends for Howie Roseman, nor should it for the money he makes. Those decisions deserve scrutiny.
There’s no denying the Eagles needed a wide receiver capable of stretching the field. By the end of the draft the Eagles had four, including veteran Marquise Goodwin, who they traded for. Much as Roseman gloated over their speed, he insisted the group with fifth-round pick John Hightower and sixth-rounder Quez Watkins were more than track-fast; they could run routes and play football.
If Jackson still is in the plan, as Roseman said he is, that’s a lot to keep around for the season.
Maybe the Eagles should have gone with
Justin Jefferson in the first round. He was light years more productive than Reagor. Maybe the Eagles should have traded up for CeeDee Lamb, unquestionably one of the top receivers in the draft.
The Eagles inquired about trading into the 16th spot to get Lamb but Atlanta wanted to change places in the first round and a second-rounder for their troubles, according to sources.
The Dallas Cowboys wound up with Lamb.
And now the Eagles need another shutdown cornerback in addition to Darius Slay, for Amari Cooper resigned with the Cowboys.
That could prove to be where the Eagles failed.
You don’t want to know what I think about the Hurts pick.
With a bunch of firstround worthy safeties gone, and a dearth of second-day receivers who knocked your socks off, Hurts easily was the top talent on the board. The Indianapolis Colts are going to regret passing up Hurts when they traded up to the second pick of the second round.
Hurts is a big-time competitor. He may never be as good as Tua Tagovailoa, who blew up his legacy at Alabama.
There’s every reason to believe Hurts will correct the flaws in his game and in a limited role – wildcat, up back punt formation, extra back - help the Eagles win a few games. Hurts is that good.
The obvious is that should Wentz get hurt, you’re not going to find a backup quarterback who can step in on the fly and make more plays than Hurts. He has the skills to move the sticks, get you in the end zone and let’s not forget, lead. He’s not going to need a bunch of snaps to step into the middle of a series and play big. He’s a playmaker.
Let’s not discount the coaching, either. Doug Pederson can stave off a quarterback controversy as well as anyone. Getting the Eagles to the playoffs with backup quarterback Nick Foles – coming off Super Bowl LVII MVP honors - taking over for Wentz was spectacular. Marty Mornhinweg is on the Eagles’ coaching staff again, too. He played a huge role in resurrecting the career of Michael Vick.
How this effects Wentz is another story for another day.
Before going there, allow me to give you another opinion.
I asked the most respected, objective football guy I’ve known, a guy who not only knows free agency, the draft and the history of the game as well as anyone but can communicate that.
Brimming with attitude, I told him what I thought of drafting the quarterback who not only was the top talent left in the draft, but a guy who could operate in a Taysom Hill-type role.
The response hit me like a bucket of ice water.
I was reminded that drafting Hurts basically was drafting a guy you hope you don’t have to play. That defensive head coaches draft to win championships, offensive head coaches draft to have toys to play with.
I was told to wait and see how it plays out. If Hurts can win a couple games for the Eagles, it justifies the pick.
And oh, by the way, has
Taysom Hill gotten the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl?
Well, not exactly. In fact, Hill didn’t take over when Drew Brees injured the thumb on his throwing hand last season.
Hurts is immensely more talented than Hill, though. The way the Eagles are built at quarterback it could turn out to be first-round value for a second-round pick.