Re: QB Prospect Discussion: Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma

College football and the NFL Draft

Moderator: wab

User avatar
Bears Whiskey Nut
Hall of Famer
Posts: 11017
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 4:06 am
Location: Oak Park, IL
Has thanked: 77 times
Been thanked: 516 times

My brother-in-law just told me that Jalen Hurts could fall to the 2nd round due to injury. Mahomes part 2? Would we be bold enough to take a QB in the 2nd round?
Image
BR0D1E86
MVP
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 30, 2017 10:50 am

Hurts isn't a first round pick regardless. I like him as a developmental guy, but not until at least the second half of the second round.
User avatar
BamaBear09
Assistant Coach
Posts: 708
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:57 am

I wouldn't take Hurts before the 4th round... he does not process quickly when it comes to going through progressions... he was handed the keys to the offense that had just produced back to back heisman winner/1st overall picks and did not perform at the same level... I love the kids mental toughness and leadership but physically he is a day three developmental QB... not sure how he would ever be thought of on the level of Mahomes as a prospect...
User avatar
UOK
Site Admin
Posts: 25147
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 am
Location: Champaign, IL
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 926 times

What people have said around the board about Hurts so far:

@UOK
Jalen Hurts: Gives me Trubisky vibes in terms of his feet and eyes. Not a great arm, but good accuracy. Would be considered slow at the NFL level.
@The Marshall Plan
I wanted a QB early for a lot reasons. No matter what we think of Mitch, at a minimum we need a backup QB with a higher ceiling than Daniel (with a much smaller cap hit) and at the same time we need the proverbial developmental QB.
In a perfect world we sign a veteran also to be the #2 and give Hurts a clipboard for a year. We then evaluate Mitch and see what we have. If Mitch shits the bed, Hurts could be the starter in 2021. Otherwise, our backup sees action every year, Hurts can prove himself then and either take the starting job or be trade bait like Jimmy G.
@IE
I really like Hurts. I like how mobile and aware he is, and do see him as similar to Trubisky in the right offense.... but more field awareness, honestly. He can run for 75 yards like Mitch, Lamar, Patrick or Russell. I see him as a leader & winner in a Watson-lite kind of way. I know he's not the same passer as a couple of those guys. But he's not a bad passer... probably as good as Mitch, but in different ways. I just want a winner, and I strongly believe that's a ton of value for a 2nd round pick.
Image
User avatar
Grizzled
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5552
Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2019 3:55 pm
Has thanked: 605 times
Been thanked: 485 times

Didn't impress in the post season all star games. I think he'll be around in the 4th or 5th. He has the heart and leadership. Accuracy and decision making were questioned.
Drafts are like snowflakes, no two are alike.
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

I think he'll go day 2, and probably in the 2nd. I think a lot of teams are going to regret not taking him and the doubts about him are echos of Watson if you ask me.

I like the level he's played at. Bama is about as close to the NFL as you can get. He needed to go showcase himself at OK and he did - his production last fall was enormous, and if it wasn't for Burrow he could have a Heisman too. His intangibles dwarf many of these other potential QB picks.

Heck no he's not Mahomes. He's not the runner Jackson is but he definitely is as good as Mitch. I'd hope that he could be a Wilson "lite", or similar to Watson in terms of leadership and making plays with both his legs and arm. My bet would be that the pro game is already slower for him that it is for Mitch going into Year 4. That's what I meant by seeing the field - not necessarily progressions of a top passer at this point. But the calmness and natural confidence are key. You can't learn if you're panicking.
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
EricTighe
MVP
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:13 pm
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 62 times

He is a winner. But everyone has him dropping. Heard on the radio today some teams may ask him to switch positions. It doesn't mean he can't still play QB. Hell, some teams wanted to move Urlacher to Safety. Something happened at the Senior Bowl where he dropped and dropped bad. I doubt it was his play since they have seen the kid for 4 years. I even heard he could slip to round 6 to becoming an FA.

Feel bad for the kid cuz he seems like a great person. He is definitely a great teammate.
TheWorldBreaker
MVP
Posts: 1117
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:57 pm
Has thanked: 30 times
Been thanked: 120 times

Draft analysts were talking about him needing to change positions a year ago. The thought of him being a first rounder is largely just the product of ESPN hype, I think.

I don’t think he showed enough to go from a guy people thought needed to change positions to a relatively early draft pick.

That being said he has obviously improved and appears to be a hard worker, and is a good athlete, so I wouldn’t be heartbroken if they drafted him on day 3.
User avatar
Hoog
Player of the Month
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2019 4:51 pm
Has thanked: 41 times
Been thanked: 69 times

Grizzled wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2020 3:23 pm Didn't impress in the post season all star games. I think he'll be around in the 4th or 5th. He has the heart and leadership. Accuracy and decision making were questioned.
I really like Hurt and Bryce Perkins in this draft. Yes, both have their deficiencies but I think both fit this offense very well and add a huge run dimension to the mix. Neither is terribly accurate or inaccurate and both have huge arms when needed. I don't think Trub's is going anywhere next year so neither will need to play next year and can get use to the offense. Might even be able to use them in a Tysome Hill way.

I agree with Grizzled above though. I wouldn't take either before the 4th unless we trade down in the second and pick up a late 3rd. Hurt didn't get a good write up at the Senior Bowl.
User avatar
dplank
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12025
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 9:19 am
Has thanked: 1201 times
Been thanked: 2138 times

After seeing how Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson have lit up the NFL, it has me thinking about a guy like Jalen Hurts and if he could be the next one. All 3 of those guys got dinged for not having NFL accuracy/arm/pro system exp/etc and fell in the draft relative to their clear and obvious talent that we all now see.

So open question for those who watch lots of NCAA football, what are the chances that Hurts is another one of these guys? The few times I saw him play he looked like a gamer.
User avatar
UOK
Site Admin
Posts: 25147
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 am
Location: Champaign, IL
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 926 times

Merging threads
Image
User avatar
Grizzled
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5552
Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2019 3:55 pm
Has thanked: 605 times
Been thanked: 485 times

dplank wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2020 3:51 pm After seeing how Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson have lit up the NFL, it has me thinking about a guy like Jalen Hurts and if he could be the next one. All 3 of those guys got dinged for not having NFL accuracy/arm/pro system exp/etc and fell in the draft relative to their clear and obvious talent that we all now see.

So open question for those who watch lots of NCAA football, what are the chances that Hurts is another one of these guys? The few times I saw him play he looked like a gamer.
2 teams running the KC offense have recently won a SB with more of a drop back passer rather than a Lamar Jackson type. Mahomes, admittedly, did scramble effectively this year at times. So is a pocket passer more of who the Bears should concentrate on?
Last edited by Grizzled on Mon Feb 24, 2020 8:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Drafts are like snowflakes, no two are alike.
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

I like Perkins a little more than Hurts. I think Hurts is about as good as he's going to get.
EricTighe
MVP
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:13 pm
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 62 times

If Hurts is there in the 6th I would definitely take a flier. Your banking on greatness. Why not take a shot on a guy who does not let the pressure get to him. Let us see how he throws at the combine. Then we can further this narrative, I am definitely in his corner though.
User avatar
dplank
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12025
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 9:19 am
Has thanked: 1201 times
Been thanked: 2138 times

A lot of buzz about Hurts now, with a few mocks having us taking him in the 2nd. Honestly, I'd be thrilled. That guy looks like a gamer to me, I keep thinking Russell Wilson - who fell to the 3rd.
User avatar
Umbali
MVP
Posts: 1042
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 10:32 pm
Has thanked: 41 times
Been thanked: 83 times

If we could trade back into the 3rd and get Hurts I would prefer that over a 2nd round pick. But to me he is worth a flier especially in this offense
Fantasy Team: Peanut Punchers
Drone7
Player of the Month
Posts: 383
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:44 pm

Most write-ups on Hurts say he drops his eyes when the first read is gone; that's not Russell Wilson
EricTighe
MVP
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:13 pm
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 62 times

Thats not Russell WIlson but when he came out?

Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson’s pre-draft process did not get off to a promising start. He landed on a list from The Sporting News of nine players who had the worst Senior Bowl performances. It predicted Wilson would go undrafted and sign somewhere as a free agent. Keep in mind this was only three months before the actual draft. The biggest issue was his height — he measured under 5-11 at the combine — and NFL.com said “it remains to be seen if he can throw effectively from the pocket at the next level.”

ProFootballWeekly's summary of Wilson as a prospect:

An instinctive, multisport athlete with a terrific work ethic and likable personality, Wilson has nearly everything you desire intangibly, including toughness, competitiveness and leadership. Never will be a prototypical dropback, pocket passer, as his height always will be a limiting factor, but he has the arm, legs and smarts to grow into an effective backup in a system where he can utilize play-action, rollouts, and improv skills to make plays. Versatile player who could even be sprinkled into the game plan on a weekly basis to take advantage of his dual-threat ability. Is the type of player you root for and want on your roster.

As far as measurables they are pretty close.
Russell Wilson - 71", 204 lbs, 10.25" Hands, 4.53 40-yard dash, 118" Broad, 34" Vert, 6.97 Three-cone, 28 Wonderlic

Other then Hurts being Taller and heavier.
Wilson has a 1/2" in hand size and is a blink of an eye faster.

At this point in their careers Jalen Hurts is very close to being Russell Wilson's twin in comparison.

This does not mean he will become Russell Wilson. But if Russell Wilson is what you are looking for in a QB this is about as close as it gets at this point in their careers.

Damn typing this up is making me wonder if we shouldn't take a stab in the second at greatness? He probably won't be ready right away but then again neither were a bunch of third and 4th round QB's who seem to be doing ok for themselves right now.
Drone7
Player of the Month
Posts: 383
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:44 pm

I seldom watch college football.

So I didn't watch Wilson until he reached the pros. When drafted, I was surprised a guy that tall was picked that high by Seattle.

Then I watched him play as a rookie. And I immediately understood why. Situational smarts, great athletic ability and obvious poise.

Anyone could see he had IT (unlike Trubisky)

Wilson is also one of the best improvisational players and deep passers in the league, which isn't something a QB can develop much--those traits are natural gifts.

Wilson will be a HOFer.

So those are big shoes for Hurts to fill. It's not enough to be athletic. It's the mental traits that separate Wilson.
User avatar
dplank
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12025
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 9:19 am
Has thanked: 1201 times
Been thanked: 2138 times

Guys like Wilson, or Dak...not that easy to see who they were going to be in the pro's. If it was they would have been drafted higher, obviously. Hurts has the field generalship and high level success, coupled with outstanding physical traits, and high character, that make him analogous to a Wilson or Watson or Jackson coming out. He could flop, but I have a gut feeling he's going to be really good. I'd love to get him.
User avatar
Grizzled
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5552
Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2019 3:55 pm
Has thanked: 605 times
Been thanked: 485 times

The Parcells criteria for drafting a QB applied to Hurts. Just another tool for assessment, doesn't address the soft issues such as leadership, etc.

Three years as a starter? Yes
Is he a senior? Yes
Did he graduate? Yes
Did he start 30 games? Yes, 42 games
Did he win 23 games? Yes, 38 games
TD-INT ratio at least 2-1? Yes, 80-20
Completion percentage over 60? Yes, 65.1 percent

7/7 criteria met

Justin Herbert also met all 7 of the criteria, Burrow 5, Tua 2, Fromm 5, Eason 1.

For 2019, none of the top QBs (Murray, Lock, Haskins, Jones) met the criteria. Murray and Jones had pretty good seasons, Lock was coming on, Haskins played a limited amount.
Drafts are like snowflakes, no two are alike.
User avatar
crueltyabc
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5119
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: Dallas TX
Has thanked: 79 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Basically since mid-season last year I've been saying 2020 is a lost season while the Bears recover from the Mitch pick and a couple of FA signings that didn't work out. I've been lukewarm on the Derek Carr idea that has others excited.

Now suddenly I'm caught in the Hurts hype

Trubisky
Mariota
Hurts

They can run the same offense for all three guys, and Hurts can have half a season to learn while the other guys flounder. You can already see improvement in Hurts' throwing motion based on his offseason work. To me, that shows that he's coachable. Per Mooch's chalkboard session you see that he's intelligent, confident, and articulate. I'm sold. Let's get him at 42 if we can.
xyt in the discord chats
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

The problem is, I don't think Hurts makes it past the Chargers in R2 if they take an OT in R1.

I've been holding off on a mock draft until I see how FA shakes out, because there's a good-to-decent FA QB out there for every team that needs a QB.
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

Watching 10 struggle with field awareness, presence, calm and control in this past season drew me to Hurts like a bug to a bonfire. Hurts is just a man out there... he's just dripping with intangibles that were completely missing from the Bears. It's right there for everyone to see. But people are still missing it.

Why? Look no further than the "change positions" nonsense. Holy crap that's some serious last-century racially tinged bullshit right there. But that's the kind of persistent bias horsecrap that is likely to have him fall right into the Bear's lap - and Pace better not fuck it up if it does.
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
EricTighe
MVP
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:13 pm
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 62 times

You do realize this has nothing to do with Racism. Back in the day black QB's were athletic but not smart enough. No one is questioning his intellect. In fact they are questioning his ability to pick up 2nd and 3rd reads, his accuracy and it has been brought up in every source about how he was replaced by a true freshman QB while at Alabama in the championship game. A game he was losing by the way.

After us getting Nick Foles I am really hoping we pick up Hurts in the draft now. Hell I am praying we get him. He is the classic boom-you know what you got case. At worst he is a career back-up that will win games for teams. At best he is your franchise QB. WHo will do nothing to hurt the team.
User avatar
Mikefive
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5189
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:33 pm
Location: Valparaiso, IN, USA
Has thanked: 340 times
Been thanked: 278 times

Drone7 wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2020 6:32 pm Most write-ups on Hurts say he drops his eyes when the first read is gone; that's not Russell Wilson
Bingo.

Watched tape on this guy yesterday. I can see the Lamar Jackson-esque appeal. But I really don't like this guy. Maybe in R5. But I'm biased. I don't like guys with this kind of game, because they have serious limitations and if you can box them in the pocket so they can't run around, they're quite beatable. In order to be successful, he MUST have Lamar Jackson escapability skill. Otherwise, he could be a huge bust. These guys are likely to have short careers.

You see the same thing over and over on tape 90% of the time. Drops back. Looks at first read, often really short throw. It's often not there. He drops eyes and looks for escape route, which is often a designed clear out by WR vacating one side of the field. if he escapes horizontally, he'll take a look downfield for an improvisation throw opportunity. Otherwise, he just runs. That and a lot of RRO's.

Really good athlete. Throws a lot of short stuff. Not particularly accurate. Doesn't even attempt read progressions. Constantly looking to run.

They should come up with another name for guys who play like LJ and Hurts, because they're completely different than more traditional quarterbacks and you have to design an offense particularly for them. Scrambleback? Scamperback? Improviback? Athleteback? I'm going with Scatterback, because it's easier to say.

Anybody got a bettter name for these guys?
Mikefive's theory: The only time you KNOW that a sports team player, coach or management member is being 100% honest is when they're NOT reciting "the company line".

Go back to leather helmets, NFL.
RichH55
Hall of Famer
Posts: 7942
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 4:23 pm
Has thanked: 511 times
Been thanked: 598 times

IE wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2020 4:02 pm

I like the level he's played at. Bama is about as close to the NFL as you can get.

He lost the job there in fairness - and I always thought that playing for a powerhouse was a duel edged sword for a QB

Playing with better talent at most positions than the opponent - Playmakers all over
User avatar
Yogi da Bear
Head Coach
Posts: 2499
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:43 pm
Has thanked: 209 times
Been thanked: 359 times

I was amazed by Russell Wilson's accuracy in the Rose Bowl against my Ducks.



Haven't seen that kind of accuracy from Hurts. Don't seem like the same type of players to me. Not saying that Hurts won't be successful. Just that Wilson isn't a good comp for him. Lamar Jackson is a much better comp.
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

I would like Hurts, but also recognize you may have to cater your O around him. Higher risk/reward, but I'd be okay in the second.

With talk about a guy like Fromm dropping, he may reach a point where he is good value, despite not being super toolsy. Of sourse that would be a trade down or trade up scenario and there's no crystal ball where you can be sure he'd be there.

Hurst or Eason mid to late 2nd
Fromm late 3rd to mid 4th
Gordon mid 4th to mid 5th
Morgan/McDonald 6th or later
That's probably my rough QB board. Hope they get 1.
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

Well there's now talk that Hurts could sneak into the very bottom of R1.

I can't say I see that happening, but weirder things have happened.
Post Reply