Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: Hayden Hurst a legitimate X-Factor for 2019

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Wide Receiver John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with tight end Hayden Hurst #81after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Wide Receiver John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with tight end Hayden Hurst #81after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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This off-season’s main story line for the Baltimore Ravens may be Lamar Jackson, but fellow 2018 first round pick, Hayden Hurst, is just as intriguing.

While Lamar Jackson was a successful gamble during the 2018 NFL Draft, the same could not be said of the Baltimore Ravens other first round draft choice, Hayden Hurst. While Jackson was leading the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Hurst was spending most of his time on the sidelines for one reason or another.

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Hurst was definitely not 100% in 2018, as he spent a large chunk of it being slowed down by a foot injury. Considering how often he’s on his feet, either running routes or blocking defenders, that’s kind of a big deal. It didn’t help how deep the Ravens were at tight end in 2018 with guys like Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams getting significant reps that Hurst wanted/needed to develop.

Well, 2018 is over and done with and Hayden Hurst is likely ready to move forward. He enters this off-season healthier than last year with a whole year of learning under his belt. Hurst knows how this offense runs now, and he and Jackson could build chemistry with one-another quickly.

One of the reasons Hurst was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and was made the first tight end off the board as well, was because of his athleticism. Hurst is a sizable man 6’4″ 245-lbs. and can gallop around the field like a gazelle. In a new offense that will look to get the most out of Jackson’s athleticism, having a player like Hurst is a massive boon for the unit.

For now, his teammate Mark Andrews is likely to be the team’s top tight end and will work more across the middle of the field. Baltimore is likely hoping that Hurst can become the red-zone piece that they’ve been lacking for quite some time. No wide receiver currently on the roster has shown the potential to be that guy, and Andrews is best served as an all-purpose tight end.

Hayden Hurst could definitely be the type of tight end that Andrews is, but the latter has a lot more experience and success that will earn him more trust from the get-go. This will give Hurst an opportunity to make more plays underneath or in the red-zone. With Andrews demanding the main attention, Hurst has no excuse not to find some holes and expose defenses with his talents.

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The best news for Hurst is that Baltimore loves to run two-tight end sets. Even if they use this formation less, Hurst can flex out to a wide receiver spot because of his athleticism. He truly is in an awesome position for the Ravens to use him. If Hayden Hurst can find a way to stay healthy and get on the field, the Baltimore Ravens may have found themselves an X-factor no one has considered thus far.

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