We all know running backs and wide receivers will rule the first few rounds of a fantasy draft. While you sit there knowing who will go early on, you have to remember that quarterbacks are just as important. Most leagues will see top QB’s going early in the third round and onward. A lot of people will hate on this, but a fantasy QB sleeper pick this season is Jalen Hurts.
Regardless of many other aspects, the young age of Hurts is the most intriguing part of his game. He has much more to prove, but there are several reasons why he is a good sleeper pick and I’ll break that all down for you.
Last Season
What most people do not take into account is that your QB will statistically point up the most points in a year for your team. Hurts ranked 10th amongst all players in fantasy scoring last season in a standard scoring league.
He ranked above guys such as Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson. These are similar QB’s knowing the fact that they incorporate rushing in their game. Wilson is not as mobile as he once was, but it is still a fair comparison for now.
Hurts put up 26 total touchdowns last season, 10 of those came from rushing. He also had the most rushing yards out of any QB last season, rushing for 784 yards. An average rush for Hurts garnered 5.64 yards per carry. This was more than any running back averaged.
Jalen Hurts THIRD rushing TD today 🔥 @JalenHurts (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/nu2DBk1jU5
— Overtime (@overtime) November 21, 2021
The biggest problem with Hurts’ game was his passing ability. He ranked 21st in passing yards amongst all QB’s last season. This is obviously a risk when evaluating drafting him, but this could change this season.
What is Different This Year?
Realistically, through Hurts’ career he has not had a true WR1. This offseason the Eagles focused on making that change.
The Eagles made a trade with the Tennessee Titans to acquire AJ Brown. They then extended Brown for 4 years and $100 million. Brown has only played in the league for three years, but has already made it a point that he is a WR1.
AJ Brown goes 57 yards and ties it up for the Tennessee #Titans #Tennessee #Nashville #TitanUp #NFL #Touchdown #BigPlay pic.twitter.com/aKdBCinreh
— Win Big Sports (@WBSNsports) October 31, 2021
Brown has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in two of the three seasons. If Brown can stay healthy, those numbers are doable each year for him.
Brown put up double digit touchdowns in 2020 with 11 receiving touchdowns. Brown’s physicality and speed can sure help Hurts game and make him pass more.
Outside of Brown, the Eagles still have second-year receiver, DeVonta Smith.
Smith started slow last season, but came out strong at the end. The Alabama connection of Smith and Hurts can really gel this season as well. If Smith and Brown can give some headaches to opposing defenses, then it should make Hurts job easier. Now sprinkle in Tight End, Dallas Goedert and things open up even more.
In Conclusion
There are reasons to be skeptical about Hurts and drafting him, but the upside is there. I would not consider Hurts a first option, but if other QB’s are off the board and it is go-time for you, take him. A fantasy QB sleeper pick may not stand out as much as Hurts does, but he may be worth it.
Hurts is the only quarterback in history with 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in their first 20 starts. If stats don’t lie, then what more needs to be said?
List of players in NFL history with 4,000 pass yards and 1,000 rush yards in their first 20 career starts:
Jalen Hurts
END. OF. LIST. pic.twitter.com/afGZJEWQrb
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) July 11, 2022
The rushing effectiveness is there. The passing is wishy-washy. The new and old weapons should progress the game of Hurts. I guarantee he will not put up Josh Allen numbers, but people should stop sleeping on his fantasy capability and potential.