3 Baltimore Ravens players who need to step up against the Browns

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 02: Hayden Hurst #81 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 02: Hayden Hurst #81 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Ravens
CANTON, OH – AUGUST 02: Hayden Hurst #81 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a reception against Jonathan Anderson #52 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Hayden Hurst:

Since being selected with the 26th pick in the 2018 draft, Hayden Hurst has endured a difficult rookie campaign.

The 6’5, 250 lbs tight end out of South Carolina was taken ahead of several highly rated receiving prospects such as Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, who has had a productive year in Atlanta with 789 yards and 9 touchdowns and SMU’s Courtland Sutton, who has emerged as a reliable target in Denver.

A stress fracture in his foot held Hurst out of the first 8 games of the season, but since returning, with 11 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown, we are still waiting for a breakout performance.  Fellow rookie tight end Mark Andrews has been considerably more productive, registering 498 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He will also have a key part to play in keeping his former Sooner teammate – Baker Mayfield – off the field.

With all that said, we’ve seen how injuries can effect a season, and a strong outing from Hurst this Sunday would enable the Ravens to continue moving the chains and control the clock.