Bold Predictions: Jalen Hurts Will Have Over 1,000-Scrimmage Yards in 2020
“With the 53rd pick in 2020 NFL Draft the Philadelphia Eagles select..”
No one saw this pick coming prior to the Draft.
Now that we have all had some time to rationalize the selection of Jalen Hurts, it is time to evaluate how exactly Doug Pederson and company will incorporate him into the Eagles offense…
Although QB was certainly not at the top of the “Needs” list for the Eagles, there is one thing that we simply cannot deny…
Jalen Hurts is one heck of a Football Player
After the Draft, Head Coach Doug Pederson was quoted saying:
“I want to make a point here first and foremost that Jalen Hurts is a good quarterback, and he was drafted as a quarterback and he’s a quarterback first, but he has a unique skill set that he’s a great runner. Obviously, he throws well on the run. He has a unique set of skills that we’re going to take a look at as we keep developing this offseason and this advancement, so to speak, as we get ready for training camp.“
Before being drafted by the Birds in the second round, Hurts was widely considered as one of the better talents at the QB position in the 2020 Draft. In 2019, Hurts was the runner-up behind Joe Burrow for the Heisman Trophy, which is an award one achieves for being the “Most outstanding player in NCAA Football“…”Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work“…
After being named “SEC Freshman of the Year” and playing in the 2016 National Championship game, Hurts was benched the following season in favor of Tua Tagovailoa for the starting QB spot at Alabama. After earning his degree in Public Relations, Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma to carry out his dream of being a starting QB.
In Lincoln Riely’s innovative offense, Hurts posted up the greatest numbers of his career with 32 TD’s (3,851 passing yards) and an astounding 20 rushing TD’s! Hurts’ ability as a dual-threat QB always made him difficult to defend.
Countless assumptions have been created assuming the Eagles will utilize Hurts in a “Tayson Hill type of role” as we have seen Sean Payton do with the New Orleans Saints. As previously mentioned in this post, Pederson views Hurts strictly as a Quarterback, so we should not expect to see Hurts lined up out-wide or even in the backfield too often.
Let’s go back to 2018 when the Baltimore Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson and installed a few packages in order for him to get on the field…that is the type of way we should expect the coaching staff to tailor to Hurts’ talents. Jackson averaged 9.5 snaps per game in this situation. Over in New Orleans, Hill played a total of 23% of the Saints offensive plays in 2019.
Both QB’s where able to provide sparks for the respective squads whenever their numbers were called upon…
It is also worth mentioning that the Ravens Offensive Coordinator at the time (Marty Mornhinweg) is now on the Eagles offensive staff, so he has some experience implementing a Two-QB offense in the NFL.
If Hurts averages nine plays a game like Jackson did in 2018, he can easily eclipse the 1,000-yard mark due to his dual-threat ability.
We will even go as far as to say that Hurts will get his first career start in the season finale against the Washington_____.
Overall, expect Hurts to see the field quite a bit in 2020.
Just imagine Hurts running the read-option with Miles Sanders in the backfield…
Recently, pictures surfaced of DeSean Jackson and Jalen Hurts working out together in Tampa, FL. These images caused a lot of Philly fans to get excited. Jackson was recently clocked at 23 MPH during one of his rehab workouts.
What better way to get up to speed (no pun intended) than to learn from your new teammate who just happens to be one of the fastest receivers in the league.
Featured Image: Bleacher Report/Grid Iron
Stats: ProFootballReference/SportReference.com
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