Here are three reasons Hayden Hurst will be a star for the Ravens:
1. Joe Flacco loves having a go-to tight end to target.
It’s no coincidence that over the last two seasons, a tight end has led the Ravens in receptions. Ben Watson in 2017, with 61 catches, and Dennis Pitta the year before, with a league-leading 86 receptions. Flacco wants to hit the middle of the field, and that’s where your big-bodied tight end is going to be roaming.
I doubt the Ravens spent a first round pick on Hurst only to not feature him in the offense. While it may not have quite worked out with Ben Watson and Flacco, we’ve seen what can happen when Flacco clicks with a tight end. Dennis Pitta was a reliable chain-mover and productive scorer for the Ravens when he was on the field. Those two always were in sync.
I believe the Ravens remember those days. They grabbed a young(ish) guy in the draft and are hoping he can finally be the player that steps in and fills Pitta’s role after many failed attempts such as Maxx Williams and Crockett Gillmore.