JetNation Prospect Preview: Baylor WR Jalen Hurd

As the NFL draft draws closer, JetNation.com will continue to preview draft prospects who could potentially fill one of the many needs the Jets have on their roster.  In this breakdown, we’ll be looking at a player who isn’t getting nearly enough attention in the pre-draft process in Baylor wide receiver Jalen Hurd who visited Gang Green earlier this week.

Baylor WR Jalen Hurd visited the Jets today, per source.

Interesting 6-5, 228-pound prospect who spent his first three seasons as a running back at Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/02iSE0iEsu

— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) April 9, 2019

Hurd was originally running back at the University of Tennessee where he ran for 1,285 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2015 before eventually transferring to Baylor following the 2016 season.  At Baylor, Hurd was converted to wide receiver for his final collegiate season and impressed, pulling down 69 passes 946 yards and four touchdowns.

Here are all of Jalen Hurd's receiving touchdowns in 2018. Underrated prospect. pic.twitter.com/bDqbX0JR2m

— Ryan McCrystal (@Ryan_McCrystal) April 2, 2019

Name: Jalen Hurd

School: Baylor

Height/Weight: 6′ 5” 226

Combine:

Bench: 23 reps

Strengths: 

Unlike many past players with positional versatility, Hurd is more than just a gimmick as he put up impressive numbers at two major programs at both running back and wide receiver.  He didn’t run at the combine in Indy but he has been rumored to run in the 4.4’s.  As a powerful player who can line up in a variety of spots, he would make an ideal mid-round selection.

Weaknesses:

As one might expect for a player as raw at the position as Herd, his route running leaves a bit to be desired, but this is something that he may be able to improve over time.  Effort as a blocker lacks consistency.

Scheme fit:

There’s not a coach in the NFL who shouldn’t be able to find a role for Hurd in their offense and Adam Gase is no exception.  A coach who is expected to do a far better job of putting offensive players in position to succeed, Gase could utilize Hurd as a red zone target early on while letting him pick up some short yardage carries out of the backfield.

Current projections:

CBS Sports: 5th round (165 overall)

USA Today: 4th round (128 overall)

Bleacher Report (Matt Miller) Undrafted Free Agent

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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