Comparing Jalen Hurts to Taysom Hill is an Irresponsible Cop Out
By Jerry Trotta
We're over a week removed from the NFL Draft and the Philadelphia Eagles selecting a quarterback, Oklahoma star Jalen Hurts, in the second round to be Carson Wentz's backup remains a prominent topic of discussion.
That's understandable considering general manager Howie Roseman could've addressed other positions of need like safety or wide receiver.
However, saying that Hurts is merely a carbon copy of New Orleans Saints swiss-army knife Taysom Hill is straight up erroneous. The 21-year-old rookie is already more of an accomplished thrower than Hill has been or ever will be.
Jalen Hurts is not Taysom Hill. He will not be a PP on punt team. He will not be blocking punts. He will not cover kicks. He will be trained as a QB. In a proven system. By a SB winning HC. In a system that will provide him continuity from one season to the next. Ideal for him.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) May 1, 2020
Hurts is a true quarterback who can also be effective with his legs. In college (four years), the former Crimson Tide and Sooners stud completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 9,477 yards and 80 touchdowns. He added 3,374 yards and 43 scores with his legs. Those are the numbers of a player who can actually be relied upon to throw the pigskin at the pro level.
Hill, meanwhile, completed 58.2% of his passes for 6,929 yards and 43 touchdowns at BYU. Nothing more would need to be said, but he's only attempted 13 passes as an NFL player since entering the league in 2017.
Comparing Jalen Hurts to Taysom Hill is an insult to Jalen Hurts. He can actually throw the ball.
— Master (@MasterTes) April 25, 2020
When Drew Brees was sidelined with a fractured thumb last season, the Saints called Teddy Bridgewater's number and continued to sprinkle in Hill in certain packages and scenarios. If Wentz were to go down, the Eagles wouldn't think twice about letting Hurts run the offense. That's why they drafted him in the first place.
Just because Hurts will play limited snaps as a rookie doesn't make him and Hill, who is a regular on special teams, the same player. Saying so is severely disrespectful to the Heisman finalist.