It’s been a wild offseason so far in Philadelphia. Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson are out. Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni are in. But let’s get to what matters. What do the quarterback and coaching changes in Philly mean for your fantasy drafts in 2021? Here’s why Jalen Hurts could be a surprise top 10 fantasy QB to look out for this coming season.

This Man’s Got Some Wheels

Who doesn’t love running quarterbacks in fantasy? Sure, being a mobile QB might not be the best option as an NFL player in terms of preserving your career longevity. But it’s just where the league is heading nowadays, and it sure as hell does your fantasy owners a great service. Hurts ran for 272 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries in his only four starts for the Eagles last season. Just admit it, that’s better rushing production than what most of the running backs you had on your roster gave you throughout last year’s fantasy playoffs.

Though his passing accuracy, ball protection, and decision-making certainly need improvement, the volume Hurts could see on the ground this year might be enough to circumvent any second-season struggles he might have as a passer. Only two of the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks last season had under 225 rushing yards. Their names were Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Ever heard of them? If you don’t get one of those two legends in your draft, that means you’re likely going to target a running quarterback to be your QB1. Hurts more than fits the bill and will be among my top mobile quarterback targets in 2021.

Not Just a Runner

There’s a damn good reason the Eagles selected Hurts with the 53rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He can sling the rock and is much more than just a running threat playing the quarterback position. Hurts struggled to produce through the air in his first career start with the Eagles. But he bounced back before the end of the regular season with two 300 yard passing efforts against Arizona and Dallas. The potential for Hurts to become a true NFL gunslinger is there. We just have to wait and see if Nick Sirianni can bring it out of his young quarterback in his first season as Philadelphia’s head coach.

You also have to cut Hurts some slack for his two poor statistical performances against New Orleans and Washington last season. Considering all of the turmoil the Eagles organization went through last season regarding Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson, Hurts handled the adversity well and even led the Eagles to a home victory over the Saints in week 14. Not to mention he played with a motley crew of receivers, as both Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson had their 2020 campaigns derailed by injuries.

Though he only completed 52.3 percent of his passes last year, Hurts figures to take a step forward in his first full season as the starter in Philadelphia. With a full offseason to prepare and COVID seeming unlikely to interfere with the preseason this year like it did last year, I see Hurts’ passing production taking a big leap in his second year as the Eagles starting quarterback.

Philly Could Still Make a Splash in Free Agency

If the Eagles can land a marquee free agent wide receiver like Kenny Golladay, you can book it. Jalen Hurts is going to be a top 10 fantasy quarterback in 2021. Sure, Philly’s receiving corps is more barren than the Sahara Desert right now, and that is highly concerning. But it could only take one big-name free-agent signing like Golladay to completely change the dynamic of this offense.

We’ve seen what Jalen Hurts can do under center in a potent offense at both Alabama and Oklahoma. We’ve already seen him put up two 300-yard games in his nascent NFL career. If the Eagles can put serviceable offensive weapons around him, I think Hurts’ passing production this season could put the rest of the league on notice.

Jalen Hurts is in the Discussion for top 10 Fantasy QB’s in 2021

Hurts possesses a rare combination of passing accuracy and running ability that very much fits the mold of today’s NFL quarterback. Players with his skillset also tend to produce elite fantasy numbers. Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson, two of the league’s top running quarterbacks, both struggled to throw the pigskin accurately in some games. But they still put up great fantasy numbers and both finished top 10 at their positions in terms of fantasy production. With that being said, I wouldn’t be the least bit upset if I ended up with Jalen Hurts as my QB1 in fantasy for the 2021 season. His upside as a runner is more than enough to catch my interest.

Depending on where Philly ends up at the end of this year’s free-agency frenzy, I might even be willing to send some high draft picks in a trade package for him in dynasty. Hurts could end up being that good, and I have major FOMO when it comes to running quarterbacks in fantasy. Get in now before Jalen Hurts stonks go to the moon.

Follow me on Twitter @bellyupchris1 and mention me in a tweet! We can debate, discuss, share memes, you name it. Be sure to check out loads of other fantasy sports content as well on the Belly Up Fantasy Sports website!