In Jurgens, Birds hope to have Kelce’s successor

PHILADELPHIA » The Eagles took center Cam Jurgens of Nebraska off the board in the second round to open their second day of the draft.

The kid’s highlights remind you of Jason Kelce, and that’s who the 6-3, 307-pound Jurgens wants as his mentor. Jurgens is quick off the ball, has a burst to the second level on screens and sweeps and … has difficulty anchoring against big defensive tackles. He’s also a bit undersized.

“I’ve watched a lot of his tape,” Jurgens said of Kelce on a Zoom call. “Getting to see a guy that’s able to move like he is and play as hard, and with as much intensity as he does, that’s kind of how I want to play. That’s how I want to model my game, and to be an athlete on the field. Just because you’re an O-lineman doesn’t mean you can’t run

down field and knock the safety out. I’m stoked to be able to be there.”

Jurgens apologized for the lack of video on the Zoom connection, explaining that tornado warnings and spotty weather strained his home WiFi connection.

But there was no question how happy Jurgens was to land with the Eagles.

He called the Eagles his favorite team, having grown comfortable meeting with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland before the draft. That get-together morphed into a session with Kelce and the pivots discussing cattle ranching. Jurgens grew up doing it. Kelce is just getting into it in Missouri where his brother Travis has a place.

Ranching and football. “It was just a great combo,” Jurgens said. “He’s down to earth, he’s gifted, and I hope I can fit in as well.”

Jurgens, the 51st overall selection, was rated as the second-best pivot in the draft behind Tyler Linderbaum of Iowa. The Baltimore Ravens took Linderbaum off the board with the 25th pick.

Unless Kelce gets hurt, Jurgens will have to play special teams and redshirt as a rookie. Not exactly the role you want in a second rounder selection.

Still on the board when the Eagles grabbed Jurgens, who converted from tight end early in his career, was Australian import Daniel Faalele, the 6-8, 384-pound offensive tackle at Minnesota.

If Jurgens pans out, the Eagles won’t have to decide between guards Landon Dickerson and Isaac Seumalo when it’s time for Kelce to retire.

DARRON CUMMINGS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Nebraska center Cam Jurgens, running the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in March, was picked by the Eagles with the 51st overall pick in the NFL Draft Friday night.