Jalen Hurts vs. Jake Fromm: Did either QB move up NFL mock draft boards?

One quarterback was said to be too inaccurate and didn’t have the ideal size for his position.

The other quarterback was lauded for his accuracy but took a hit on his size and arm strength.

So, now that the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is over, what are NFL draft analysts saying about Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts and his Georgia counterpart Jake Fromm?

The Combine was a big win for Hurts. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash, which was just a tick behind Hawaii’s Cole McDonald, who ran a best-at-his-position 4.58. Hurts also had a broad jump of 10-feet, 5-inches, tied for best among QBs.

And while Hurts’ Combine measurements aren’t ideal at 6-foot-1, 222 pounds with 9 3/4-inch hands, it likely won’t hurt him, either. By comparison, former OU QB Baker Mayfield measured 6-foot-1, 215 pounds with 9 1/4-inch hands.

As for his accuracy? From SB Nation’s Combine winners and loser’s report:

“Hurts impressed in throwing drills, too. There were no errant throws and his deep throws looked particularly good. His accuracy and consistency are two big sticking points with experts, and he passed in both marks on Thursday.”

NFL Network Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Hurts likely moved back into the second-round conversation with his Combine performance.

https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/1233196367138344963

Hurts is the No. 97 rated prospect in the latest Fanspeak-Steve big board.

As for Fromm, the news out of the Combine isn’t as rosy. His height and weight are similar to Hurts, as Fromm measured 6-foot-1 7/8-inches and 219 pounds. But his hand size, at 8 7/8-inches, was the second-smallest among quarterbacks, and his 40 time of 5.01 was the slowest among the 13 QBs who competed. Fromm didn’t finish higher than a tie for seventh among QBs in any event but the short shuttle.

And in terms of his on-field work, Fromm’s accuracy and arm strength came under fire by draft evaluators.

ESPN Draft Analyst Todd McShay said Fromm is still a likely Day 2-pick – but he’s also a tough player to evaluate.

“With Fromm, he comes out as a freshman and gets that job because of the injury and never relinquishes and has 5-stars transferring because he just turns into the guy,” McShay said in a teleconference with the media, courtesy of 24/7 Sports. “The past couple years, he had no receivers. With three injuries up front, protection was inconsistent. But you go back and study the tape when he had (talent at Georgia) on offense and he made plays. Watch him at the Combine, his balls are floating. He’s a brutal evaluation.

“I would argue he’s as smart football intelligence-wise as any quarterback in this class. You talk to anyone at Georgia about his work ethic and the length he goes to have success, and you can see how he was able to overcome the lack of elite physical tools. But some of his throws aren’t going to work in the NFL.”

From is the No. 61-rated prospect in the latest Fanspeak-Steve big board.

Ten most underrated NFL Draft prospects entering the combine:

QB Jake Fromm
QB Jalen Hurts
RB Joshua Kelley
WR James Proche
TE Colby Parkinson
OT Matt Peart
LB Chris Orr
CB Michael Ojemudia
CB Lavert Hill
S J.R. Reed

— Dylan Chappine (@dylanchappine) February 27, 2020

Jake Fromm had the BEST answer to a question about his 'small hands' at NFL Combine https://t.co/90t9YQ36bQ

— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) February 26, 2020