Bright Lights and Big Hype: This 2025 Rookie Needs to Evolve if He is Going to Live Up to Soaring Expectations

Kevin Szafraniec
February 28, 2026

Kevin Szafraniec breaks down the debut of one of the NFL’s hottest young rookies from 2025 and debates whether the growing hype will lead to fantasy championships in 2026.

Jalen Hurts was considered a raw prospect when he entered the NFL, yet he found himself thrust into the Eagles’ starting role before his rookie year was over. During his four games as a starter in 2020, Hurts put the entire league on notice by averaging 26.3 fantasy points per game.

Hurts relied on elite rushing and competent passing to build up hype for himself heading into his second season.

Although plenty of question marks remained heading into Year 2, Hurts continued to prove his doubters wrong by posting a QB9 finish in 2021, followed by two consecutive finishes inside the top three. While some critics continue to question Hurts’ ability as a passer to this day, his ability to create fantasy points with his legs has provided him with a solid floor in the five years since his explosive debut.

This past season, we saw another rookie come into the league and get thrust into a starting role. Like Hurts, this young signal caller received no shortage of attention as his dynamic skill set filled up box scores and highlight reels alike. However, there are some obvious flaws in his game that need to be ironed out before we should feel comfortable projecting him as a fantasy star for the long term.

Be sure to check out the previous installments of the 2025 Rookie Review Series:

Volume 1 of the 2026 RotoViz Rookie Draft Guide is out now! Jam-packed with comprehensive player profiles, advanced stats, player comps, strategies, and rankings from the RotoViz staff, it is a must-have for every fantasy manager who wants to crush their best ball, dynasty, and redraft leagues in 2026!

Keep an eye out for Volume 2, scheduled to release following the NFL Combine, and Volume 3, which will drop after the 2026 NFL Draft!

Call It Anything But Boring

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Please subscribe For Full Access to all RotoViz content and tools!

What’s included in your subscription??

Exclusive Access to RotoViz Study Hall
- A treasure trove of our most insightful articles that will teach you the metrics that matter, time-tested winning strategies, the approaches that will give you an edge, and teach you how to be an effective fantasy manager.
Revolutionary Tools
- Including the NFL Stat Explorer, Weekly GLSP Projections, NCAA Prospect Box Score Scout, Combine Explorer, Range of Outcomes App, DFS Lineup Optimizer, Best Ball Suite,and many, many, more.
Groundbreaking Articles
- RotoViz is home of the original Zero-RB article and continues to push fantasy gamers forward as the go-to destination for evidence-based analysis and strategic advantages.
Weekly Projections
- Built using RotoViz’s unique GLSP approach.
Expert Rankings
And a whole lot more…

Kevin Szafraniec

Lead Writer and Full-time Cat Dad. Sneakerhead, Record Collector, Beatmaker, Lord of the Rings Superfan, and Jeopardy Enthusiast in my free time. Follow me on X and Bluesky @thecatdadff

Baker Mayfield and the NFL’s Most Underrated Offense Are Ready to Deliver in 2026: The Best and Worst Picks on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kevin Szafraniec August 18, 2026

Kevin Szafraniec continues his deep dive into the NFC South by identifying the best and worst picks on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster in 2026 best ball drafts. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started 2025 on a tear, overcoming injuries and adversity on their way to a 5-1 record. Sadly, the good times didn’t last, as injuries continued to pound the roster to the point that…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

The RotoViz 2026 Preseason Playbook: All the New Tools, Data, and Analysis You Need to Win Your Next Draft

Kevin Szafraniec August 17, 2026

The RotoViz staff shows off the wide array of tools and in-depth analysis the site offers fantasy managers so they can dominate redraft, best ball, and dynasty leagues in 2026. Now that we find ourselves in the thick of draft season, it’s time to lock in and prepare for another year of fantasy glory! Some of us sickos have been drafting in best ball tournaments…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

New Arrivals in the Big Easy Threaten the Saints’ 2025 Breakout Stars: The Best and Worst Picks on the New Orleans Saints

Kevin Szafraniec August 14, 2026

Kevin Szafraniec continues his deep dive into the NFC South by identifying the best and worst picks on the New Orleans Saints’ roster in 2026 best ball drafts. Although Kellen Moore’s first season in New Orleans was a letdown when we look at the team’s 6-11 record, the Saints’ new coach did instill a sense of optimism for the team’s fantasy prospects moving forward. The…...