Why the Patriots might draft: QB Jalen Hurts

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(The sports world has turned its attention to the NFL Draft. That means we have to figure out which players the Patriots might be taking in what promises to be one of the most important drafts in the Pats’ recent history. Each day until the Draft kicks off on April 23 we will give you some names that the Patriots might be calling.)

Name: Jalen Hurts

School: Oklahoma

Position: Quarterback

Why the Patriots might draft him: With Tom Brady no longer holding down the pocket passing game in New England, the team could alter its offense under Jarrett Stidham or whoever else is next in line at quarterback. Hurts is a unique leader and athlete who might just fit in the competitive world of the Patriot Way.

What is he good at: Hurts (6-1, 222, 4.59 40) is far from the prototypical NFL QB prospect. But he’s a proven leader and winner who put up very efficient numbers at Alabama (17 touchdowns and 1 interception in 2017) before transferring to take over the high-powered passing reins for the Sooners, passing for 32 touchdowns and running for 20 another scores last fall as the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Hurts’ success in two systems, work ethic, attitude and varied athletic skills will entice an NFL team to look past some of his shortcomings.

Read: Jalen Hurts has a 'boulder' not a chip on his shoulder heading into NFL Draft

And then there is this: Hurts showed impressive leadership and class dealing with a tough situation at Alabama when he lost his job to fellow 2020 NFL Draft Prospect Tua Tagovailoa in the National Championship game as a sophomore only to be called upon a year later to come off the bench to help the Tide come back to win the 2018 SEC title game.

Twitter: @JalenHurts