Jalen Hurts is not a top 10 quarterback, according to NFL insider survey

In case you missed it, we’ve been following together with ESPN’s positional ranking series right here at Bleeding Inexperienced Nation. The latest NFL insider survey article includes a matter that’s in all probability sure to generate a disagreement or two: quarterbacks!

Final yr, the mix of 80ish executives, coaches, coordinators, and scouts ranked Jalen Hurts because the sixth greatest quarterback within the league. This yr, the Philadelphia Eagles QB is just not thought-about to be a prime 10 participant at his place.

Hurts was as a substitute included within the “honorable mentions” part, together with Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, and Trevor Lawrence. Right here’s the write-up on him:

After a Yr 3 star flip that garnered a Super Bowl look and a $255 million contract, Hurts’ play dipped in 2023. His QBR rating fell from fourth (68.3) to twelfth (60.1). His 15 interceptions had been so uncharacteristic that the entire practically matched that of his first three years mixed (18). A knee damage that he tried his greatest to handle clearly affected him, in accordance with a number of evaluators.

“He was taking part in harm,” an NFC govt stated. “The Eagles tried to downplay that, however he didn’t look proper. He wasn’t the identical runner he was up to now, and passing the ball was robust for him.” Added an AFC scout: “He’ll all the time be in that 7-12 vary, relying on how productive he’s annually.”

Additionally of word: The Eagles’ offense “turned stale” as a complete, in accordance with a high-ranking NFL crew official, and the predictable offensive assault affected Hurts’ inventory.

Jeremy Fowler, who finally carried out this NFL insider survey, was requested why Hurts dropped out of the highest 10 throughout a broadcast look:

“Accidents and dangerous offense, it’s fairly easy. Executives level out to me that Jalen Hurts didn’t look proper final yr. The Eagles can downplay any knee points he was coping with in-season, he wasn’t actually on the damage report in some circumstances, however they felt like he simply wasn’t transferring the identical, couldn’t try this dual-threat capability that he’s so good at with the offense. After which Nick Sirianni’s assault with Philly final yr was simply not excellent. They had been in a state of affairs the place they form of rolled the ball out, tried to do what they did the yr earlier than, groups adjusted, the Eagles didn’t evolve, and Hurts was able the place he wasn’t highlighted. I’ll level out that a whole lot of voters say that, regardless that he’s excellent, he’s by no means going to be a prime 5 quarterback within the eyes of a whole lot of evaluators. He’s kind of in that 7-to-13 vary relying on how he does that [given] yr.

If we’re to take these explanations as canon, there’s motive for optimism. Hurts ought to be more healthy this season. There’s additionally an opportunity that new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore may help him greater than Sirianni/Brian Johnson did final yr. Maybe we see a participant a lot nearer to his 2022 near-MVP kind.

Nevertheless, it’s additionally doable he stagnates and seems to be the beautiful good however not flat out nice participant that some insiders assume he’ll develop into. If that involves move, he’ll be extra of a high-level “win with” quarterback than “win due to” quarterback that the Eagles are paying Hurts, who’s the sixth-highest yearly paid participant at his place, to be. QB purgatory is just not a spot you wish to reside; simply ask anybody who’s needed to root for the aforementioned Kirk Cousins.

In fact, it’s a bit untimely to claim that Hurts has already reached his ceiling. He’s nonetheless solely 25 (turns 26 on August 7) and we’ve seen him play at not solely an everyday season MVP degree but additionally a Tremendous Bowl MVP form of degree. It’d hardly be surprising if subsequent yr’s ESPN polling considers him to be a prime 10 QB once more.

How are you feeling about Hurts getting into the 2024 season? Vote within the polls beneath and scroll right down to the feedback to weigh in.