The Internets had feelings about the surprise choice
The Niners played it as predicted with their Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel picks. Jalen Hurd was a bit more of a surprise, though. Especially since he’s the second slot receiver picked today, and that was already the strength of the 49ers receiving corps.
I absolutely can’t believe they went receiver back to back
— Evan Sowards (@EvanSowards) April 27, 2019
49ers added another slot with Hurd. Has the size to play outside though. https://t.co/7jFAYsG26Z
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) April 27, 2019
Size you say? How big?
Jalen Hurd, 6-foot-5, 226 pounds.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) April 27, 2019
Let’s take a look at the 49ers wide receiver room pic.twitter.com/Huk10MPMtC
— Jay Moore (@JayMooreNFL) April 27, 2019
Oh! 10 1/4” hands, too. Can he run though?
Jalen Hurd’s an athletepic.twitter.com/49JVrE8YI8
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) April 27, 2019
How does he fit in on this roster, though? Seems like a lot of slot receivers.
Worth noting: Jalen Hurd has the size to play move tight end in today’s NFL. Kyle finally has a full stable of weapons
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) April 27, 2019
He’s got other kinds of versatility, too. Probably a good dancer?
Per Jalen Hurd’s bio: he majored in health, kinesiology and leisure studies.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) April 27, 2019
There’s a reason he was available though. Hurd, a star running back at Tennessee, quit with four games left and converted to wide receiver, transferring to Baylor for his final year of eligibility. You can look at that two ways — Joe WIlliams, the last talented player who quit a team and came back, was a flop pick for Lynch.
Or, you can be optimistic and appreciate the multi-position skills, something Shanahan has always prized. How do I know? Because he said so tonight after the pick. Call Hurd “offensive weapon #2” (after fullback Kyle Juszczyk, of course).
Kyle Shanahan says he is very excited about Jalenn Hurd who could have been drafted at RB, TE and/or WR
— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) April 27, 2019
I predict more no-huddle or hurry up sequences where the Niners don’t substitute but shift formations and force defenses to, say, defend a Jalen Hurd power run with their nickel package.
“It’s kind of neat that you can be in 11 personnel and then be in 21 personnel.” – Kyle Shanahan on Jalen Hurd.
I don’t think there’s a coach in the league that loves versatility more
— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) April 27, 2019
Only a couple of negative thoughts. This play wasn’t good.
This is all I think about when I hear the name Jalen Hurd. pic.twitter.com/5OtbbtShj1
— Mike Kennedy (@mbken84) April 27, 2019
He’s not known for speed.
Look man, I’m just gonna say it: Hurd looks slow. I don’t see the hype
— Ruthless (@Ruthless_SG) April 27, 2019
And injuries are a concern. He has a meniscus issue, according to Lynch. But opinions differ on this point.
Your glass 1/2-empty “reporting” is tiring.
Only games Hurd missed was his JR-YR @ TENN before deciding to transfer to Baylor&make a position change to WR because of his measureables&abuse @ RB.
Missed bowl game @ Baylor due to knee procedure,but finished previous game injured. https://t.co/YzGWT0VNTY
— 49ersInsiders (@49ersInsiders) April 27, 2019
Bottom line — intriguing as hell, lots of upside, but definitely a bit of a gamble. If nothing else, we know that GM John Lynch is still on the same page as Coach Shanahan.
#49ers taking Jalen Hurd is intriguing as hell. Super raw talent but has all of the size people have been begging for in the redzone. He’s going to be moved around. Don’t worry about the position they label him as. He’s a weapon for Shanahan to try to play with.
— Jerod Brown (@JerodBrown_) April 27, 2019
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