Packers have virtual pre-draft meeting with Jalen Hurts

The Green Bay Packers have reportedly held a virtual pre-draft visit with Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts.

The Green Bay Packers‘ interest in this year’s draft class continues.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Packers “have been in touch with and monitoring” Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts. Rapoport added they have held a virtual call with Hurts ahead of the draft.

This report isn’t surprising as it follows reports of the Packers’ interest in Utah State’s Jordan Love, a potential first-round choice in next week’s draft. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported last week the Packers are “doing varying levels of homework on Love”.

The Packers are clearly researching this year’s QB class, perhaps showing they’d be willing to draft Aaron Rodgers’ successor if the opportunity presented itself. Maybe that’s not the case and they’re simply doing their homework.

Whereas Love will likely be a first-round pick, there’s a chance the Packers could wait until Day 2 to select Hurts. Many mock drafts have him going either late in the second round or early in the third.

Hurts needs time to develop, which he’d get in Green Bay. Last season, he threw for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns with eight interceptions. His ability as a runner is exciting. In 2019, he rushed for 1,298 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Jordan Reid of The Draft Network wrote that Hurts “still has a lot of developing to do as an overall passer in order to become a consistent starter”. He’d certainly get the opportunity to sit and learn in Green Bay, but it’d come down to whether GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur believe he can eventually develop into a starting quarterback for the Packers.

Green Bay’s reported interest in the quarterbacks this year is certainly an interesting story to follow. We won’t know until draft day whether they actually have any plans to draft a quarterback in the early rounds, but the interest sure seems to be there.