The dominoes have begun to fall as the Tennessee Titans gear up for the 2020 NFL Draft. With all of the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position as we entered the offseason, the Titans elected to bring back Ryan Tannehill on a four-year, $118M deal. So, quarterback isn’t necessarily the position of need in the NFL Draft as it could’ve been had the team NOT brought back Tannehill. The Titans no longer find themselves having major questions at the quarterback position, at least for the immediate future. Tannehill’s contract also suggests that the team won’t be investing a high draft pick at quarterback. Good thing the won’t need one, as the team ended up playing their way out of what looked like a top 10 pick back during that 2-4 start. However, there are still a few questions – who’s going to be the backup? And what’s the plan for the future if Tannehill doesn’t pan out? Is Logan Woodside the developmental guy you really want to ride or die with? That’s why I think a guy like former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts is an interesting option here.
Hurts is considered a gamble by most analysts. He’s definitely the developmental type, but opinions vary greatly on just how much time it would take him to be effective at the next level. I’ve seen comparisons to Dak Prescott. I’ve seen comparisons to Taysom Hill. Some guys don’t think he can play in the NFL at all – that he’s a high end backup with some potential as a starter or as a gadget player, but little more. People have even suggested that he switch to fullback at the NFL level….fullback!!!
He’s a high character, true dual-threat quarterback that has a pedigree of championships. The fact that he was replaced by a once-in-a-generation talent in Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama doesn’t change the fact that the guy has a list of accolades a mile long. Hurts threw and ran for 123 total touchdowns in his three years at Alabama and one season at Oklahoma.
Hurts isn’t exactly the type to step up in the pocket when things go sideways. At times, he looked jumpy and reactionary when the pocket began to collapse, and that led to some questions about his decision making abilities, and his ability to read defenses. Just watch the National Championship game that ended with him sitting on the bench. He has questionable deep ball strength, as evidenced by those fast Bama receivers having to slow down to catch balls on occasion during his time with the Tide. Overall, he’ll need to develop better touch as a passer.
But, man….Jalen Hurts is so explosive and dynamic as a play maker. Plus, if anyone in this class of quarterbacks has the work ethic to get better in the NFL, it’s him. The fact that Hurts improved immensely as a passer from 2018 to 2019 shows that he could continue to develop. That should be encouraging for any franchise considering drafting the guy.
I’m with the Taysom Hill comparison, specifically in a potential landing spot with the Titans offense. Tannehill is going to be the guy, and rightfully so. But, Hurts is a guy you could draft and his use skills immediately without putting the pressure of the franchise quarterback role on him right away. You can line him up at receiver and get him the ball in open space. You can put him in the back field, and run some gadget option plays out of that formation. And, you could draw up some wild trick plays. All of that without having him in the starting spot.
Round 2 might be a little early, but the Titans don’t have a lot of dire needs heading into the NFL Draft. That affords them the luxury of building depth and adding talent. So, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them select a quarterback that early. Round 3, though? I think that’s the sweet spot. If Jalen Hurts is still there when the Titans pick in the third round, I’d be thinking about it….hard.
Of course, there are a ton of variables, chief among them, the offense and its coordinator. Arthur Smith was rumored to be a head coach candidate at the end of last season. How long is he going to be in town? Then, there’s the roster…will the Titans be able to keep the skill positions as loaded as they are right now over time? Plenty of things could have an impact on his development. As it stands, though – I’d put Jalen Hurts in the same category as Jordan Love, just outside of the “big three” prospects this year (Burrow, Tagovailoa, Herbert).
I’d view him as a weapon, one that could give the Titans some extra teeth…and that’s quite intriguing.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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