After Chris Ballard sent the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft to San Francisco for defensive star Deforest Buckner, many questions have been raised as to how the remainder of the draft will play out. A lot of these questions are being asked about the quarterback position.
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With a quarterback likely falling to the Colts in the second or third rounds, there are still plenty of options. One of those options could be the former Sooner and Crimson Tide quarterback, Jalen Hurts.
Hurts has gotten a lot of criticism for not being a complete quarterback prospect, like many in this year’s class. His decisions under center and failure to make big-time throws led to him getting replaced at Alabama by Tua Tagovailoa and his eventual transfer to Oklahoma.
What Hurts brings to the table is a tough, talented athlete with the ability to run all over the field. He has a massive arm and has had a lot of success through the air as well, but some of his decisions under center has led to his draft stock falling.
Having a variety of playmaking ability under center keeps a defense on their toes and allows much more flexibility when it comes to play calling. Not to mention, newly acquired quarterback Philip Rivers is 38 years old and does not move around much outside the pocket.
Development is still needed in Hurts’ game, but he does have intriguing traits in an offense that Reich wouldn’t be opposed to running. Read-options and designed roll-outs are the latest trends in the NFL with teams like Baltimore, Houston and Buffalo having playoff-caliber success with those types of plays.
While it remains to be seen if Hurts is a franchise quarterback, sitting behind Rivers and even Jacoby Brissett can help any young quarterback adjust to the pros. He would have a lot of time to learn before he is considered for the starting role.
Hurts will likely be available in the third round at pick No. 75 unless Chris Ballard takes a quarterback earlier or trades up for a prospect.
This draft has so many options and routes the Colts could take and for many fans, April 23 can’t come soon enough.
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