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2020 NFL Draft: Best NFL fits for top 5 quarterback prospects

By Michael Johnson

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 19: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a rushing touchdown by Brian Robinson Jr. #24 in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 19: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a rushing touchdown by Brian Robinson Jr. #24 in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 12: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 12: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

5. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma – New England Patriots

There are a couple of reasons why Jalen Hurts to the Patriots is a match made in heaven. Let’s talk about the obvious: Tom Brady wants to play until he’s 45 (we’ll see if that happens, though). But no matter how long Brady sticks around in New England, the Pats must draft a successor.

Historically, the Pats have drafted backup quarterbacks on day two of the draft. Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett were second- and third-round picks, respectively. Jalen Hurts will likely be available at the end of the first round or early in the second — if not later.

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Let’s take a trip down memory lane with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel. During his short tenure as the Denver Broncos head coach, he helped pick Tim Tebow with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. McDaniels had a plan: sit Tebow for at least a season — but circumstances derailed his plans.

Tebow was thrown into the starting lineup before his time was ready. The Tebow-mania hype train didn’t last long enough and McDaniels was fired. His thought process, taking a quarterback like Tebow, was ahead of time. With Hurts now, he has a chance at redemption.

In today’s NFL, mobile quarterback can find success. This is an NFL where mobile quarterbacks are a necessity considering the increasingly bad offensive line play. Belichick understands the value in a mobile quarterback. In fact, there were rumors he was targeting Lamar Jackson in the 2018 NFL Draft.

With Hurts, Belichick has an opportunity to get a player with a similar skill-set. Moreover, the Patriots are building a smashmouth team that can run the ball and play elite defense. Hurts played for a team like that previously with Alabama but he’s not the same quarterback; he’s evolved into something more. Hurts is a legit quarterback prospect, an ideal fit for the Patriots as the protégé of the great Tom Brady.

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