After two strong selections to kick off the 2019 NFL draft, the 49ers delivered a bit of a head scratcher in the third round when they took Baylor wide receiver Jalen Hurd No. 67 overall. This feels like a bit of a reach given his minimal production at wide receiver, but he has a high enough upside to avoid a terrible grade. San Francisco gets a ‘C-plus’ for their third-round selection.
Hurd was one of the top recruits in the nation when he signed with Tennessee as a running back. He played that position for three years with the Volunteers and had pretty good success. He posted 2,635 yards and 20 touchdowns on . 589 carries.
Watching his highlights as a running back is strange because he’s so massive at 6-5, 226 pounds. He transferred to Baylor after three years at Tennessee where the Bears moved him to wide receiver.
Hurd sat out the 2017 season, but put up big numbers in his only year as a pass catcher. He had 69 receptions for 946 yards and four touchdowns – sensational productivity for a player just learning the position.
The last part of that is why Hurd gets the grade he does. There are still a ton of question marks about his ability to play the position in the pros. Most receivers with one year of college production don’t get a ton of love in the draft.
Hurd is a different case though. His athleticism and multi-faceted skill set should allow the 49ers to get creative in how they use him. He can play in the slot, or outside, and he can line up in the backfield. He’ll produce at least a little bit just by virtue of being big and athletic. If he steps into the pros and continues growing in the position at the rate he did his final year in college, he could be elite.
All the physical traits are there with Hurd, but he’ll need to continue growing as a pass catcher if he’s going to justify going with the third pick in third round.
Should he hit his ceiling, he’ll be a terror in the 49ers’ offense. They needed playmakers, and Hurd should be elite in that regard. It may take a year or two for him to really hit his stride, but the potential in Hurd is off the charts.
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