Baltimore Ravens Select Hayden Hurst in First Round of NFL Draft
By Ben Palmer
The Baltimore Ravens have selected tight end Hayden Hurst out of the University of South Carolina with their 25th-overall pick.
The Baltimore Ravens have selected tight end Hayden Hurst out of the University of South Carolina with their 25th-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Hurst comes with an interesting story. The 24-year-old was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 17th round of the 2012 MLB Draft and spent two years in their minor league system before walking on to the University of South Carolina’s football team.
Hurst is a big guy, at 6’5″, 250 pounds, but he’s quick for his size. He has good enough speed that he can make defenders miss after the catch, and his hands are solid, catching all 43 catchable passes thrown his way last year and catching seven of 11 contested passes.
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Hurst finished last season with the best year of his college career, catching 43 balls for 545 yards and two touchdowns. While at South Carolina, Hurst not only showed off his offensive ability, but his ability to block as well.
He’s a tough player who’s not afraid of contact, and while his run blocking is still a skill that’s working in development, he’s got a lot of promise.
This is a solid pick for the Baltimore Ravens, who are in need of a tight end after losing Dennis Pitta to retirement following a number of injuries that derailed his career and Benjamin Watson to free agency. Coming into the NFL Draft, Nick Boyle was slated to be the team’s top tight end option.
Joe Flacco likes the tight end, it showed in his relationship with Pitta when he was healthy, he likes having a big guy over the middle he can throw to. Now that the Baltimore Ravens have added wide receivers like Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead, and John Brown, Hurst completes the passing game and gives the team a well-rounded aerial attack.
And while Hurst’s age may give some people pause, there should be no cause for concern there. Fortunately, the tight end position allows itself to older players, all you have to do is look at guys like Jason Witten who have been playing well into their 30s to see that.
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With the additions the Baltimore Ravens made at wide receiver this offseason, the rise of running back Alex Collins last season, and now the addition of Hurst in the draft, the Ravens’ offense is looking to have a lot of potential coming into the year. This may be the best passing attack Joe Flacco has ever had.