Eagles rookie Cam Jurgens named among the NFL’s 15 highest-rated

When the Philadelphia Eagles selected Landon Dickerson with the 37th-overall selection during Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft, there were whispers that, if he proves to be healthy (and can stay healthy), the Birds may have landed the class’s best interior lineman. Now, guys like Alijah Vera-Tucker and Creed Humphrey may wind up having a say in whether or not that winds up being the case, but we can state the Birds hit the jackpot. They may have done so again by way of taking Cam Jurgens.

He has the potential to become one of the best interior linemen of the most recent draft class, and people are already taking notice.

Pro Football Focus ranks Eagles star Cam Jurgens 13th on their list of the highest-rated rookies through two weeks of the NFL’s preseason.

Here’s a nice read. Those statistical gurus at Pro Football Focus are at it again. They recently named the 15 highest-rated rookies following two weeks of pro football’s preseason. Cam Jurgens made the cut. Here’s how things shook out.

1. Josh Ross, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens (93.0)
2. Dee Alford, cornerback, Atlanta Falcons (92.3
3. Isaiah Likely, tight end, Baltimore Ravens (92.2)
4. Martin Emerson, cornerback, Cleveland Browns (91.3)
5. Samuel Womack, cornerback, San Francisco 49ers (91.0)
6. Erik Ezukanma, wide receiver, Miami Dolphins (91.0)
7. Jack Sanborn, linebacker, Chicago Bears (90.9)
8. Nick Cross, safety, Indianapolis Colts (90.8)
9. Micah McFadden, linebacker, New York Giants (90.5)
10. Olakunle Fatukasi, linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (90.3)
11. Jalen Virgil, wide receiver, Denver Broncos (90.3)
12. Zach Tom, right tackle, Green Bay Packers (87.3)
13. Cam Jurgens, center, Philadelphia Eagles (86.9)
14. Caleb Jones, offensive tackle, Green Bay Packers (86.3)
15. Cobie Durant, cornerback, Los Angeles Rams (86.0)

Here’s what Michael Renner, the writer of this one, had to say in reference to Jurgens.

"Jurgens looks like a star in waiting. Watching him fly across the football field, it’s difficult not to see shades of Jason Kelce in his game. Few centers in NFL history move as well in the open field as Jurgens does. He’s been a true weapon in the run game in both of the Eagles’ preseason contests — and on a healthy 69 snaps, too. Whenever Kelce hangs it up, the Eagles’ offensive line won’t miss a beat."

He also provided the following clip as evidence.

Philly landed the former Wisconsin Badgers star by way of the 51st-overall selection of 2022’s selection meeting. Some thought taking Jason Kelce’s potential successor could have waited until another round. Some say they could have waited until next year, but the Eagles brass saw value in the 2021 Third-Team All-Big Ten nod and in having the opportunity to have him learn from not only one of the greatest Eagles of all time, Kelce, but also the NFL’s best offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland.

Who would have thunk? They were right, and those that doubted were wrong. We sometimes forget that though there are at times questionable decisions, they know more about what they’re doing than the rest of us. As they did with Dickerson, they struck gold by acquiring Jurgens. He’s going to be very good for a very long time.