While Joe Burrow dominated the passing game in 2024 with career highs across the board, fantasy managers are backing Jalen Hurts as their preferred quarterback in drafts, according to PFSN’s Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator. The data reveals why this approach might be the most brilliant move heading into 2025.
Jalen Hurts’ Rushing Advantage Changes Everything
Hurts brings something that Burrow cannot match: elite rushing production. Over the past three seasons, the Philadelphia quarterback has found the end zone on the ground 13 or more times each year. That sustained rushing touchdown production creates a fantasy floor that traditional pocket passers struggle to replicate.
Despite his exceptional arm talent, Burrow has managed just 12 rushing touchdowns across his entire five-year professional career. This stark contrast highlights why users continue gravitating toward Hurts despite Burrow’s superior passing statistics.
Over 19 minutes of Jalen Hurts highlights for your enjoyment. pic.twitter.com/7EKdOW6kYI
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 26, 2025
Fantasy scoring heavily favors rushing production over passing attempts. While passing touchdowns typically yield four points in standard leagues, rushing scores deliver six. When a quarterback consistently threatens defenses with his legs, those additional points accumulate rapidly throughout a season.
Both Floor and Ceiling Favor Hurts
Last season provided the perfect case study for this phenomenon. Burrow delivered one of the most impressive passing campaigns in recent memory, leading the NFL with 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns. He attempted 68 more passes than any other quarterback, showcasing his arm strength and Cincinnati’s reliance on the passing game.
Yet despite this aerial dominance, Hurts proved more reliable from a fantasy perspective. The Eagles quarterback cleared 15 fantasy points in 86.7% of his starts, while Burrow reached that benchmark in 78% of his games.
This consistency gap explains why experienced fantasy managers value Hurts. He offers high upside performances and a bankable rushing floor.
While industry analysts continue debating these two quarterbacks as near-equals, PFSN data suggests Hurts represents better value at current draft positions. His rushing ability provides a weekly floor, making him a safer fantasy investment, particularly for managers seeking consistent production.
The 2024 season provided the perfect case study. Burrow delivered historic passing numbers yet couldn’t match Hurts’ fantasy reliability on a week-to-week basis. That gap represents the difference between advancing in fantasy playoffs and watching from the sidelines, regardless of how impressive the traditional statistics might appear.
Managers recognize that legs create a higher floor than arms in standard scoring formats, and Hurts offers the best combination of both worlds at the quarterback position.
