Jalen Hurts highlights Philadelphia Eagles draft news

Jacob Keppen

Football is right around the corner. For the Philadelphia Eagles it looks like a year of rebuilding. This season is all about getting off to a good start in the Nick Sirianni era, building a team that can compete in the future. Coming off a 4-11-1 season, the Eagles most likely will be picking in the top 10 again next season. Here are prospects that Eagles fans should familiarize themselves with for the 2021 college football season.

1. Spencer Rattler, QB Oklahoma

If the Philadelphia Eagles pick in the top five next year, there’s a very good chance Nick Sirianni is looking for a quarterback of the future. In this scenario Jalen Hurts proved not to be the guy, leaving the Eagles looking for a new captain at the helm. The top quarterback to watch for is Spencer Rattler. The junior from Oklahoma has a lot of raw talent, with a wicked arm and knack for the big play. He progressed greatly over the course of last season and looks to cement himself as a player worthy of the 1st overall pick. 

2. Sam Howell, QB North Carolina 

Also in the conversation for QB1 is North Carolina junior Sam Howell. Howell has been one of college’s best quarterbacks over the past two years, throwing for over 30 touchdowns and 3,500 yards in both his freshman and sophomore campaigns. Howell has a big arm and improved his accuracy last season. While not as mobile as Rattler, Howell has shown the ability to play more within a system. 

3. Derek Stingley, CB LSU

The Eagles have a massive problem at cornerback. You can pretty much look at any preseason for the Eagles over the past decade and it will say that. The Eagles haven’t had a cornerback make the pro bowl since Asante Samuel in 2010, the same Asante Samuel whose son was just drafted this year. The last Eagles cornerback to make first team all pro was Lito Sheppard in 2004. Over the past few years some of the “best” Eagles corners of the past decade include: Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Nolan Carroll, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. This team has been CB deficient for years and it just so happens that top prospect Derek Stingley will most likely be available for the Eagles. Stingley has been on NFL radars since stellar play as a freshman and if Jalen Hurts earns another season in Philly, Stingley should be at the top of Eagles fan’s wishlists. Darius Slay can only cover so much.

4. Breece Hall, RB Iowa State

The Eagles no matter what have to keep adding weapons on offense. Whoever is playing at quarterback next year (hopefully Hurts) needs weapons around him. Philadelphia have done their best to try and bolster their wide receiver room, addressing the position in the first round in back to back years. Another way to help a young quarterback is improving the run game. Miles Sanders has talent but has not yet proven to be a workhorse back. Hall was one of the premier college backs last year and figures to so once again in his junior season. Even if the Eagles wish to keep Miles Sanders moving forward, lots of NFL offenses over the past few years have proven the value of having two extremely good running backs. Teams such as the Saints, the Browns, and yes the Colts have shown the effectiveness of two backs that can be productive. Getting a reliable, smart rusher such as Hall either in the late first or with their second round pick could really help out a young Eagles offense.