NFL Draft 2021: Winners, losers following Eagles’ 9 picks | Jalen Hurts rises, John Hightower, Matt Pryor slump

[time2rock]

NFL Draft 2021: Winners, losers following Eagles’ 9 picks | Jalen Hurts rises, John Hightower, Matt Pryor slump

Posted May 02, 7:30 AM

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is in the driver's seat to start following the 2021 NFL Draft.AP

 

By Mike Kaye | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Eagles have upgraded their roster following a busy NFL Draft weekend.

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After selecting nine prospects over three days, the depth chart is jam-packed, impacting the incumbent talent on the roster. With the Nick Sirianni era still in its infancy, several tenured players either benefited or were dissed by the directions the Eagles took in the draft.

Here are 10 winners and losers from the Eagles’ 2021 NFL Draft haul:

WINNERS

QB Jalen Hurts

This weekend was the ultimate endorsement of Hurts. The Eagles didn’t select a QB at all, and they spent a good portion of the draft adding players who will complement Hurts on offense. First-round pick DeVonta Smith, second-round pick Landon Dickerson and fifth-round pick Kenneth Gainwell could be immediate reinforcements for the second-year QB.

 

WR Travis Fulgham

The Eagles selected just one wide receiver during the draft, and Smith is more of a Z receiver than an X wideout. While Smith and last year’s first-round pick Jalen Reagor are likely to be the top two wide receivers on the depth chart, Fulgham should still be a fixture of three-receiver sets. Fulgham has the versatility to play all three positions, like Smith and Reagor, and should be able to rotate around like his two highly-drafted counterparts.

 

CB Avonte Maddox

Maddox is likely to move back to the nickel position this season. The Eagles only drafted one corner, fourth-round pick Zech McPhearson, so Maddox probably won’t see much competition for his job. With Darius Slay and McPhearson -- or a soon-to-be signed veteran -- likely to main the outside, Maddox should feel comfy in the nickel spot right now.

 

LB T.J. Edwards

Edwards is one of the luckiest guys on this list. With the Eagles in need of upgrades at the linebacker position, the team passed in favor of following their big board. Now, Edwards is likely to retain his starting role in base formations. Edward, Eric Wilson and Alex Singleton are likely to be the starters at linebacker this year.

 

OT Andre Dillard

The Eagles didn’t touch the offensive tackle spot in the draft. That decision came as a bit of a surprise but is good news for Dillard, who will compete with Jordan Mailata for the starting left tackle job this summer. Now, he’ll need to earn the job he was earmarked for when he was taken in the first round two years ago.

 

LOSERS

TE Zach Ertz

If Ertz wants out of Philly -- and all signs point to that notion -- he’s the most disappointed player on this list. After being on the block for several months, Ertz is still under contract. He might need to wait until June for a resolution, as the Eagles can save more cap space by trading him then as opposed to now.

 

G Matt Pryor

The Landon Dickerson pick is not a great sign for Pryor. Last year’s top backup lineman is going to fall down the pecking order once Dickerson is completely healthy. Dickerson can back up guard and center.

 

G Nate Herbig

Herbig is kind of in the same mold as Pryor here. Dickerson plays all three interior positions that Herbig is used to playing. While he once seemed pegged for a large role, the arrival of Dickerson slights Herbig’s standing on the depth chart.

 

WR Greg Ward

Smith’s arrival likely moves Ward down the depth chart. With Smith likely to team with Reagor, one of those two wideouts is probably going to be featured in the slot pretty regularly. Ward has been a reliable player over the past two years, but he’s clearly just been upgraded.

 

WR John Hightower

Hightower’s greatest strength is his straight-line speed. With players like Smith, Reagor, Fulgham, Ward and possibly even Quez Watkins in front of him, last year’s fifth-round pick is going to have a tough time making the roster and earning playing time. Hightower didn’t play special teams last year, which isn’t a great sign for his worth as a deep-depth player.

 

https://www.nj.com/eagles/2021/05/nfl-draft-2021-winners-losers-following-eagles-9-picks-jalen-hurts-rises-john-hightower-matt-pryor-slump.html

[Miami]

Was a good draft.  With the new regime, a lot of these guys at the bottom of the roster are goners now.  They didn't play well when given the chance and now the new guys coming in look good.  Feels like a new day in Eaglesland which is great because last year some of the games were pretty much unwatchable.

[weko]

2 hours ago, Miami said:

Was a good draft.  With the new regime, a lot of these guys at the bottom of the roster are goners now.  They didn't play well when given the chance and now the new guys coming in look good.  Feels like a new day in Eaglesland which is great because last year some of the games were pretty much unwatchable.

Are you in Miami?

[Miami]

2 hours ago, weko said:

Are you in Miami?

Yes sir but originally from Philly.  Longtime fan so glad we have these boards to discuss the team and its chances.

[eggs]

 Love Miami and the Dolphins, but we have their first round pick next year so I hope the fins absolutely suck. 

[weko]

On 5/3/2021 at 10:21 AM, Miami said:

Yes sir but originally from Philly.  Longtime fan so glad we have these boards to discuss the team and its chances.

I just got 2 Dolphins Corner club season tickets for next year.  Great bar area in the corner club lounge.  Looking forward to it.  

[Miami]

9 hours ago, weko said:

I just got 2 Dolphins Corner club season tickets for next year.  Great bar area in the corner club lounge.  Looking forward to it.  

Cool.  Thought you were in HI.  We follow the Dolphins loosely but they are definitely improving since the new coach came.  Games are fun so should be worth it.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I have to say... I'm not sure Hightower really lost out. Sure Smith moved him down the depth chart but he's still got a chance of making the roster. He's in a battle with other guys who he's about on a par with.