2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma Sooners
Career Snapshot
Graduate transfer from Alabama who started his lone season at Oklahoma and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Completed 69.7 percent of his passes for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns with eight interceptions and rushed for 1,298 yards and 20 scores.
Two-year starter for the Crimson Tide who earned First Team All-SEC honors, threw for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns with nine interceptions and rushed for 954 yards and 13 TDs as a true freshman in 2016. Lost his starting job to TuaTagovailoa ahead of the 2018 season.
Positives
Athletic signal caller who showed flashes of progress last season. Patient in the pocket, naturally looks off the safety and does not take unnecessary chances or risks. Senses the rush, steps up in the pocket to avoid defenders and takes off upfield when nothing else is available. Sets up screen passes well, spreads the ball around and uses all of his receivers.
Knows where his pass catchers are on the field. Remains poised under the rush, shows elusiveness and gets outside the pocket to buy as much time as necessary. Does not take off up the field unless it’s completely necessary. Effectively dumps the ball off to the underneath outlet when nothing else is available.
Throws with an over-the-top delivery, possesses a solid arm and can make all the throws. Creative ball carrier who shows the ability to make defenders miss when he takes off up the field.
Negatives
Late with throws and makes receivers wait for the ball. Makes wide-open receivers struggle to come away with the catch. Does not possess a rifle arm or the ability to drive deep throws. Gets wild with passes when he tries to put extra speed on them. Does not find the safety or players in the back seven. Releases the ball off his back foot on occasion, which results in adverse accuracy. Struggled throughout Senior Bowl week.
Analysis
Hurts definitely made progress as a passer last season, and he read defenses better and made smarter decisions. He possesses the physical skills to be a starter in the NFL, but he still needs a lot of work on his game before he’ll be ready to take snaps on Sundays.