ESPN NFL Nation – Syndication Server

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The Philadelphia Eagles whiffed in the 2020 NFL Draft according to experts and pundits, who cite passing on Justin Jefferson and the selection of Jalen Hurts, as the downfall for Doug Pederson.

ESPN had their NFL Nation reporters re-draft the first two rounds — all 64 picks — using the knowledge of how the season turned out for each rookie.

After watching the Eagles implode in the secondary time after time, Tim McManus went with Jaguars’ talented rookie cornerback C.J. Henderson, passing on Jalen Reagor.

21. Philadelphia Eagles
Original pick: Jalen Reagor, WR
New pick: CJ Henderson, CB

Henderson fell down the board mainly because he was limited to eight games with a groin injury. But he was the second corner taken in the real draft for a reason. Henderson has elite speed and athleticism, is a playmaker, and would fill a void at the starting cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay. There’s an argument to stick with Reagor, who was limited by injury his rookie year but still has plenty of upside, but there’s enough depth at WR to address the position later in the draft. — Tim McManus

With their second-round pick, McManus erases Howie Roseman’s perceived mistake, getting Carson Wentz a weapon instead of competition with the No. 53 overall pick, landing former Texas speedster, Devin Duvernay.

53. Philadelphia Eagles
Original pick: Jalen Hurts, QB
New pick: Devin Duvernay, WR

Duvernay did a little of everything for Baltimore this season, making an impact as a receiver (20 catches, 201 yards), a runner (4 carries, 70 yards) and a kick returner, where he finished with 578 yards, including a 93-yarder. The Eagles would welcome that kind of versatility to their attack. — Tim McManus

In the re-draft, Reagor falls down to No. 30 overall, while the talented Hurts becomes the Colts quarterback of the future after he goes to Indianapolis at No. 44 overall.

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When we think of one-hit wonders, we usually imagine some band from the 90s like New Radicals or Semisonic.

But ESPN’s NFL Nation decided to have a little fun with the concept, looking at one-hit wonders for each NFL team.

Here’s how they summed up the criteria for being a one-hit wonder: These are the 32 players who had one great game or season and never made a big impact in the NFL again.

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they picked former wide receiver and return man Michael Spurlock, who in Week 15 of the 2007 season against the Atlanta Falcons, made history with his 90-yard kickoff return.

“Spurlock became the first Buccaneer in the franchise’s 32-year history to return a kickoff for a touchdown in a regular-season game when he streaked down the sideline in the first quarter of a Week 15 game against the Falcons. Legendary Bucs radio announcer Gene Deckerhoff infamously shouted, ‘Run, Micheal, run!’ while Matt Vasgersian exclaimed on the TV call, ‘Could it be that the great curse has been lifted?!'”

For those wanting to see the highlight in all its glory, here it is from the broadcast.

So, whatever became of Spurlock? Jenna Laine has you covered.

“Ironically, after Spurlock was cut and re-signed by the Bucs, he did it again against the Falcons on a squib kick in 2010. He spent the final six seasons of his career (2009-14) with seven teams, including the Bucs. He finished with five combined kick- and punt-return touchdowns.”

I’m sorry, but anytime you return a kick for a touchdown, it’s a highlight-worthy moment. Sounds like Spurlock had several, so maybe one-hit wonder isn’t so accurate a description.

Let’s give the guy some respect.

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Tag: ESPN NFL Nation

Eagles land CB and a versatile weapon for QB Carson Wentz in ESPN’s 2020 NFL re-draft

ESPN names the greatest one-hit wonder in Buccaneers history