The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts:
What he can do
– Elite athlete at the position. Ran 4.59 at 222 pounds at the combine. Great jumping numbers. Will be a serious run threat at the next level. Tough to corral in the pocket. Running ability will be a man coverage beater
– Runs like a running back in the open field. Tough and elusive
– Displayed greater accuracy in 2019. Threw really well to short and intermediate areas of the field. Can throw with accuracy on the move too
– Attempted over 1,000 passes in college and only threw 20 interceptions. Still a little too willing to throw into heavy traffic
– Way too many fumbles. Doesn’t protect well enough in the pocket or on the run
– Lacks a big-time arm to drive the football into tight spaces across the field. Release isn’t super quick. Tough combo
– Played in wide-open offenses with talent everywhere. Didn’t always throw on time, probably needs to speed up his play clock in the pocket. Must anticipate better. He really needs to see it to throw it, especially downfield. Windows don’t last long at the next level and holding the football often gets punished
– Must learn to trust protections and establish a better rhythm from the pocket, but he’s cool and calm under pressure and used to creating late in the play
– Questionable ability to throw downfield. Accuracy is inconsistent. Many of his deep completions were schemed wide open
– Can throw a nice back-shoulder ball against man-to-man coverage
– Tons of production running the zone read and quarterback draw at both Alabama, Oklahoma. Especially effective in the red zone
– Teams he quarterbacked finished 38-4 in college
How he fits
If the Packers want a long-term developmental quarterback who will immediately elevate the quarterback room, provide a unique backup and grow into a potential future starter, Hurts is an attractive option. He lacks the traits necessary for most quarterbacks to consistently win from the pocket, but he possesses abundant athleticism and mental toughness and showed substantial improvement in several areas under Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma, raising his ceiling for development at the next level. Continuing to grow as a passer will take time but the Packers offer an ideal situation with Aaron Rodgers under contract for at least the next three years.
NFL comp
Both size and stylistically, Hurts is reminiscent of current Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor. It is his most common NFL comparison. Others have compared him to Tim Tebow, noting a lack of overall polish as a passer. If he fully develops, Hurts’ ceiling could be in the range of Donovan McNabb.
Where Packers could get him
Possibly at some point on Day 2, either in the second or third round. Quarterback is a premium position and teams will be willing to gamble on Hurts’ unique blend of toughness, playmaking ability and athleticism, even if he’s in need of development as a passer.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam