New England Patriots 2020 NFL Draft: 7-round mock draft wish list

First round pick, No. 23: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

The New England Patriots are in dire need of offensive firepower in the NFL draft. But, in order to powder that infusion, they first need a quarterback. Why? uh, I think they just lost one.

My choice is clear. And it’s a reach, but, what the heck. It’s Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma.

Hurts’ selection should be no surprise for readers of my previous posts. The guy just gets it done. Is this a reach? Well, yes, maybe. So sue me. Who cares. He’s the right guy for the right team at the right time.

Hurts is a next-generation NFL quarterback. The Patriots thrived the past 20 years with another generational quarterback. The drop back, relatively immobile but stealthy in the pocket type. I’d say he did pretty well. But, his time (unfortunately) has passed in New England and it’s time to move on.

Hurts is a prototypical dual-threat quarterback. He can pass it. Pro Football Reference notes a just under 70% completion rate in 2019, 69.7% and that he ran for 1298 yards. So, he is what you might say, mobile. Ahah!

NFL defenses have for nearly 20 years schemed for an offense from the New England Patriots that was centered on a quarterback who was immobile and passed almost exclusively from the pocket. Well, drafting Jalen Hurts changes all that. Good luck opposing defensive coordinators.