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NFL Draft: 3 reasons Hayden Hurst was a great pick for Ravens

By Brandon Deffet

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 25: Kendall Joseph #34 of the Clemson Tigers tries to stop Hayden Hurst #81 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 25: Kendall Joseph #34 of the Clemson Tigers tries to stop Hayden Hurst #81 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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3. Hurst only dropped one pass in 31 career games

That should be music to the ears of Ravensflock. This team has been plagued by crunch-time drops and receivers that run 4.3 forty-yard dashes but have no hands for too long. The Ravens wanted to change what their offensive skill players looked like, and they have.

Having a tight end with reliable hands changes the way teams game plan on defense. Just take a look at what the Patriots have with Gronk, or what the Chiefs boast with Travis Kelce. We also can’t forget what Jason Witten meant to the Cowboys for so long. Everyone likes the flashy wide receivers, and having a Julio Jones on your team definitely gives you an edge, but the importance of having a competent tight end cannot be overstated.

Next: NFL Report Card: Grading Ravens 1st round picks

The Final Grade: (B)

I think it’s a solid pick. I know there were receivers still on the board, and many think Dallas Goedert will be this class’ top right end. This will be a pick we learn to love in time. Given is very wide skill-set, he’ll be on the field constantly, and that’ll give him plenty of opportunities to gel with Flacco. He can catch the call. He can block. He’s athletic. He can be a leader.

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