Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr recently stirred up speculation with his bold predictions for each NFL franchise, particularly focusing on the Philadelphia Eagles. Orr’s forecast for the Eagles involves a surprising move slated for April’s draft.
According to Orr, the Eagles are poised to “draft a quarterback high enough to raise eyebrows.”
This assertion comes at a time when Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ current quarterback, secured a substantial five-year extension ahead of the 2023 season, ensuring his presence in Philadelphia until 2028, encompassing his prime years.
“The Eagles’ strength has always been an ability to move on and plan for the future. Jalen Hurts was drafted in the second round in the midst of the Carson Wentz era and initially billed as a kind of Taysom Hill chess piece. In reality, owner Jeffrey Lurie was sold that Hurts would be a more effective, modern-day Russell Wilson. It wouldn’t surprise me, in a draft with a lot of quarterbacks who have big potential but some physical red flags, if Philadelphia doesn’t take a crack at strengthening the depth chart.”
Should the Eagles opt to select a quarterback early enough in the draft to elicit surprise, it’s probable that the intention behind such a move would be to secure a cost-effective backup option. This strategic maneuver would offer the team valuable financial flexibility in the coming years, a prudent consideration in the salary cap-driven landscape of the NFL.
While Hurts has solidified his position as the Eagles’ starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, the prospect of drafting a quarterback earlier than anticipated isn’t entirely far-fetched.
However, it’s unlikely to prompt significant astonishment among NFL analysts and fans alike. The decision would align with the team’s desire to bolster depth at the quarterback position while also preparing for contingencies that may arise in the future.
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