The Atlanta Falcons are betting a lot on 2018 first-round pick Hayden Hurst‘s upside in 2020.
With Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper signing in Cleveland, Hurst comes in from Baltimore having some pretty big shoes to fill. Last season, Hooper caught 75 balls for 787 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Only Julio Jones caught more passes for Atlanta in 2019.
Meanwhile, Hurst was overshadowed by a breakout year from Ravens TE Mark Andrews. Playing in more of a pass-happy offense, though, Hurst will have every chance to put up big numbers as Matt Ryan’s primary tight end in 2020.
USA TODAY’s Nate Davis made a list of 20 former first-round picks on the hot seat, and Hurst came in at No. 12:
12. Atlanta Falcons TE Hayden Hurst: He’s currently the answer to a pretty good trivia question: “Lamar Jackson was the Baltimore Ravens’ second first-round pick in 2018, but who was the first?” Yep. Another of Hurst’s draftmates, Mark Andrews, proved a far more effective tight end in Baltimore’s offense, quickly making the 25th overall pick from two years ago expendable. Hurst has totaled 43 grabs for 512 yards and three touchdowns and hardly distinguished himself as a blocker. And yet he could be far more dangerous in Atlanta, which traded for him after losing Austin Hooper in free agency, and QB Matt Ryan is already predicting big things for his new teammate.
It’s completely reasonable to say Hurst is on the hot seat, especially with the Falcons trading a second-round pick for the relatively unproven tight end.
The third season is often when players hit their stride, however, and Atlanta is taking a calculated gamble that could very well pay off in 2020.
[lawrence-related id=54519,54475]
[vertical-gallery id=54479]