Eagles News: Jason Peters and Lane Johnson have praise for Jalen Hurts

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …

Jason Peters gives his take on the Carson Wentz trade and more – NBCSP
Peters was impressed by what he saw from Hurts last season. What stood out the most? “His leadership and his swagger,” Peters said of his teammate, who is 17 years younger than him. “He comes to the huddle, he demands your eyes and ears. He’s definitely ahead of his time as far as his leadership and his swagger. He must have got that from Nick Saban and all the coaches up there in Alabama. The guy’s got great confidence and I think he’s going to be on the up and up the next couple years.” Even though Peters wore an Eagles hoodie from his home in Texas for the virtual interview, it seems unlikely the Eagles bring him back for 2021. Peters admitted as much in an interview with 6ABC earlier this offseason. On Thursday, Peters said the Eagles are in a “rebuilding phase” and want to get younger.

Lane Johnson on Eagles QB Jalen Hurts: ‘A joy to play with’ – Houston Chronicle
Count Philadelphia Eagles veteran offensive tackle Lane Johnson as a believer in new starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. After the Eagles traded Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, Hurts emerged as QB1 in Philadelphia. A former second-round draft pick from Oklahoma, the Channelview standout displayed potential and skill as a rookie last season. In 14 games and three starts, Hurts passed for 1,061 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions as he completed 54.7 percent of his throws. He rushed for 320 yards and one touchdown and was sacked 12 times. “I like Jalen a lot,” Johnson said during a telephone interview. “Jalen, he carries himself well. He’s got a lot of poise. He works his tail off. He’s a joy to be around, a joy to play with. He’s got that young energy and that’s what runs this league. I’m excited to have him.”

NFL Mock Draft Simulation: DeVonta Smith and defense – BGN
Pick 6: DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama. I feel like people have gotten bored talking about how good DeVonta Smith. Only weeks after winning the Heisman, I see people talking about him like he is the fourth or fifth-best receiving option in this class. Craziness. Smith might not have the upside of some of his peers, but he is the day one difference maker that the Eagles desperately need. Assuming Jalen Hurts is the starting quarterback, giving him a reliable target who can damage a defense from anywhere on the field is a no-brainer.

NFL Draft debate: Which Alabama WR has the edge, DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle? – The Athletic
Smith is the most polished and “pro-ready” in this class. Quarterbacks will love his precision route running and ability to catch the ball in traffic. He has a knack for finding open space and he was already getting two feet in bounds on sideline catches. There aren’t many weaknesses in Smith’s game but his athletic profile isn’t elite. Smith should be productive from Day 1 and can play inside and out in any scheme. Though Smith will likely be more productive than Waddle early in their careers, if I were picking between the two, I would bet on Waddle’s upside. It’s not just his track speed — he…