The Oklahoman

EAGLES FUTURE

- By Ryan Aber Staff writer raber@oklahoman.com

One of the biggest surprises of Friday's second day of the NFL Draft came when the Philadelph­ia Eagles took OU quarterbac­k Jalen Hurts

NORMAN — One of t he biggest surprises of Friday's second-day of the NFL Draft came when the Philadelph­ia Eagles swept away immediate need to take OU quarterbac­k Jalen Hurts in the second round with the No. 53 overall pick.

The Eagles know a little something about the need for multiple capable quarterbac­ks on their roster, having won the Super Bowl with Nick Foles after starter Carson Wentz was injured during the 2017 season.

Hurts' fit with the Eagles is one of the more intriguing storylines to come out of the draft.

Philadelph­ia could use Hurts in a variety of other ways to find contributi­ons from their second-round pick even as he's serving as Wentz's backup.

Hurts isn't the only former Sooner who will be trying to find a role as an NFL rookie.

Wide receiver Ce e Dee Lamb, linebacker Kenneth Murray and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore were picked in the first three rounds of the draft.

Here's a look at how those four figure to fit in with their new teams in 2020:

CeeDee Lamb, WR

Pick: Round 1, 17 overall

Team: Dallas Cowboys

How he fits in: While there is plenty of room to disagree with the Cowboys' selection here — they didn't have a great immediate need for a top wide receiver — there is little doubt the draft worked out well for Lamb. In Dallas, he doesn't have to be an immediate No. 1 wide receiver and Amari Cooper will help Lamb find more room to make plays as a rookie. With Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas has plenty of weapons and Lamb will have some time to grow. There'll still be plenty of expectatio­ns on Lamb's shoulder as a rookie, though.

Kenneth Murray, LB

Pick: Round 1, 23 overall Team: Los Angeles Chargers

How he fits in: The Chargers traded up to take Murray in the first round, firming up their desire to build around defense. With Jatavis Brown leaving via free agency and Thomas Davis Sr. being released, Murray joins a linebacker corps that also includes Dru Tranquill and Nick Vigil. Murray is a likely immediate starter for a defense that figures to continue to get better.

Jalen Hurts, QB

Pick: Round 2, 53 overall Team: Philadelph­ia Eagles How he fits in: Hurts figures tobe used in a variety of ways, not just quarterbac­k, early in his NFL career. Taysom Hill has carved out a similar niche with the New Orleans Saints and Hill's success — along with the

success of Big 12 quarterbac­ks in recent years — made taking Hurts in the second round much more palatable for Philadelph­ia. Hurts will back up Wentz, but he could be used in a variety of packages including some that could get him on the field with Wentz.

Neville Gallimore, DT

Pick: Round 3, No. 82 overall

Team: Dallas Cowboys How he fits i n: Gallimore i sn't the only former Sooner defensive l i nemen the Cowboys added i n the offseason. Gerald McCoy signed with Dallas i n the offseason. The Cowboys also added Dontari Poe i n free agency. Gallimore i s still raw and figures to need some time to grow i nto the NFL game, but with his size and speed, he could find a role i mmediately. He was most effective playing the gaps at Oklahoma, but will need to be effective playing head- up on an offensive l i neman i n order to be an every- down player.

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 ?? [SARAH PHIPPS/ THE OKLAHOMAN] ?? Former Oklahoma quarterbac­k Jalen Hurts might see some playing time in certain packages for the Philadelph­ia Eagles.
[SARAH PHIPPS/ THE OKLAHOMAN] Former Oklahoma quarterbac­k Jalen Hurts might see some playing time in certain packages for the Philadelph­ia Eagles.

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