Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: Jalen Hurts, QB PHI

Rob Willette Posted On June 1, 2020

The NFL Draft is behind us, rookie drafts are taking place, and as dynasty owners, we are looking ahead to the upcoming season. In the Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update series, we break down all the incoming fantasy-relevant rookies, looking at their profile and where they fit.

Name: Jalen Hurts

Position: Quarterback

Pro Team: Philadelphia Eagles

College Team: Oklahoma Sooners

Draft Status: Round two, 53rd overall

Video Highlights

Combine Review

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 223 lbs
Arm length: 31 3/4”
Hands: 9.75”
40-yard dash: 4.59 seconds
Vertical jump: 35.0”
Broad jump: N/A
Three-cone drill: N/A

Strengths

When plays go off-script, Hurts is given a chance to shine. While this may have been seen as a back-handed compliment not too long ago, it has become increasingly important as offenses add more nuance and start spreading defenders out a bit more. Outside of the pocket, Hurts is aggressive (perhaps to a fault) and can put his elite legs to work on the perimeter.

Hurts is smooth in his movements and provides a power element to his running which rivals Cam Newton’s. There’s seldom an extra yard Hurts fails to sniff out, and despite his running prowess he will keep his options open and unload downfield if he sees an opening. Hurts is certainly not going to appeal to those who prefer the traditional, pocket passer, but he’s got a toolkit that can aid an NFL offense.

Weaknesses

Be it ball placement or accuracy when pushing the ball downfield, Hurts can be a bit erratic. He is not as effective in utilizing the entire football field as you’d like to see from a high-end passer, and mechanics can go haywire at times despite the work he has put in cleaning them up. Oklahoma does an excellent job at scheming players open, and while you have to give Hurts plenty of credit for his role in the success of the offense, we’ve yet to see him really make anticipation throws routinely.

A testament to his legendary work ethic and character, Hurts made major strides each season he was on campus. Following his freshman year, I viewed him as another productive college quarterback who’d max out as a camp body. After three more years – specifically a banner year working under Lincoln Riley – I feel he has a shot to stick as a passer at the NFL level. It is possible we have not yet seen the best Hurts has to offer.

Opportunities

There were many intriguing landing spots for Hurts on draft day. Philadelphia was not one of them. While the Eagles clearly have a plan given the draft capital they sunk into the former Sooner, Carson Wentz is entrenched as the starter and is unlikely to relinquish the role entering his age-28 season. From a fantasy perspective, this landing spot is one giant sad face.

Threats

Depth chart. Niche role. Flying batteries. The concerns in Philadelphia are numerous, exacerbated by the fact Hurts may be utilized more like Taysom Hill as opposed to a true backup. There’s very little clarity in his role at this juncture, making him nothing more than a lottery ticket in rookie drafts.

Short-Term Expectations

The good news is Hurts should see the field in 2020. The bad news is it is unlikely to be a fantasy-friendly capacity. Carson Wentz has not been the most durable quarterback around; we could see Hurts do some heavy-lifting in short-yardage situations. There are also likely to be specific packages that allow Hurts to utilize his dual-threat ability to create offense. However, it is just tough to see Hurts doing anything of note barring injury to Wentz. With an injury to Wentz, Hurts would be a must-add due to his ability to rack up easy fantasy points with his legs.

Long-Term Expectations

If you believe in Hurts as a player, there is reason to believe in his long-term prospects. While early returns seem unlikely, situations change in a heartbeat in the NFL. With improved weaponry around him, it is a crucial year for Wentz as he looks to reestablish some of the steam he had following his truncated second season in the league.

If Hurts can continue his upward progression as a passer and showcase his ability to be a burden on defenses with his legs, the Eagles will be forced to make a decision on their quarterback future. This is admittedly a best-case scenario, but one not out of the realm of possibility. It would not be the first time a charismatic young passer has pushed out an incumbent, especially one at a crossroads like Wentz.

NFL Comparison

It is perhaps a convenient comparison on many scores, but there are shades of Donovan McNabb. McNabb could make brilliant throws and then struggle with consistency, something Hurts has dealt with during his career at both Alabama and Oklahoma. McNabb was also dangerous with his legs and powerful as a runner with surprisingly nimble feet for a bulky quarterback. While McNabb took a lot of heat during his career, it would be a home run if Hurts even approached McNabb’s career.

Projected Range for Rookie Drafts

A quarterback without a clearly defined path to a starting gig is a tough sell even in superflex rookie drafts. Hurts is currently around the 43rd player off the board in single QB leagues and 23rd in superflex in the DLF Rookie ADP data. It is a cautious approach, though Hurts has the benefit of being a big name drafted into a fairly well-run organization. Hurts’ ADP is unlikely to move much between now and August given this situation appears fairly locked-in for 2020.