By Scooter_McG
Just a day after adding Wayne Gallman and Arden Key, and a
week out from the draft, the 49ers made another signing, this time adding
additional depth at DT by signing former Raider Maurice Hurst to a one year
deal.
The Hurst signing is an interesting one. Hurst played for
Michigan in college and was a fifth round pick of the Raiders in 2018, the same
year Key was drafted by the Raiders in the third round. Like Key, Hurst demonstrated
high end traits and production in college that had scouts believing he was a
first round talent, but fell down draft boards due to off-field reasons.
However, unlike Key, Hurst’s fall was primarily due to medical concerns over a
heart issue he was diagnosed with at the NFL combine, and not due to any concerns regarding character.
During his time with Michigan Hurst was one of the most prolific
and productive DTs in college. According to PFF he posted three straight years
with season grades above 85, including an elite grade of 94.7 in 2017. With the
Raiders, Hurst did not reach the same heights he showed in college, and only
started 17 of the 40 games he has played (and only 7 starts since his rookie
year). However, he has been a consistently good player according to PFF with a
grade above 70 each year and of 77.0 overall since 2018 (31st for
all interior DL over the three years) and a career pass rush grade of 78.3. Hurst
has also recorded a career win rate of 11.1%, also 31st among DTs
since 2018, with 8 sacks and 17 QB hits.
Hurst is an undersized, penetrating DT, similar to some of the
DTs the 49ers have looked to employ in recent years such as Solomon Thomas and
Kevin Givens. He is explosive of the ball with active hands and good
athleticism. He is also a high motor player that gives good effort. However, he
lacks length and can struggle with bigger, stronger OL.
All in all, in my opinion this is an excellent signing for
the team, providing a good rotational piece for the DL with high end traits and
upside, that has already shown he can be productive with lesser players around
him. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hurst earn a sizeable snap share in 2021,
health permitting, and proving a highly disruptive player.
Odds and Ends
With the 49ers continuing to add to the roster leading up to
the draft, the team has a lot of roster positions that look to already be sewn
up heading into 2021. The team currently has 9 draft picks, 6 on day 3, and it
seems unlikely there are sufficient roster spots open to accommodate those
picks. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 49ers are very active once again in
moving around this draft, both moving up as well as potentially moving some
picks for future draft picks.
Do you agree with the idea that if it wasn’t for his injury history, Jaelan Phillips would be a lock as a top-15 pick? And how early do you think he will go?
ReplyDeleteNo, primarily because he only had one big year. Jaelan Phillips‘ production at UCLA was pedestrian, and he does not have the same body of work as Azeez Olujari (who only played two years) or Kwity Paye.
Phillips could be a guy that falls on draft night. I graded him as a late first-round prospect, but the fact he was unable to take part in combine medicals — due to no fault of his own — could work against him next week.
Phillips opposite Bosa would be fantastic, health permitting.
DeleteWith a new QB, I think its about time we draft the next Jeremy Newberry early in the draft in order for the pair to grow together.
ReplyDeleteMight need to use that 3rd round comp pick on a player like, Dalman.
DeleteIts time to draft that center that will be a stalwart for years to come. I wouldn't be afraid to use a 2nd rounder on one if its the right one. With missing the first rounders in the next two seasons this might be the last chance to get a bona fide center.
DeleteDalman day 2 or Morrissey day 3 are two centers they could look to develop for the future. I also think it would be prudent to get your rookie that center he can grow with.
DeleteNice write-up, Scooter. With Givens' troubles, he might be the replacement, even if temporary.
ReplyDeleteReturning to our favorite topic: Barrows made several phone calls to various agents and sources for a variety of info, but he also asked each who they think the 49ers are taking at pick No. 3. None had any affiliation with any of the three quarterbacks or is with a team seeking a quarterback.
Fields went 4/4.
Lombardi will fight them!
DeleteFields makes a lot of sense at #3... in a vacuum. He's more accomplished in college than Lance with a similar looking skillset. And he's clearly more physically gifted than Jones and the league is increasingly leaning towards athletic QBs.
DeleteScooter, if you think the league is trending towards an athletic quarterback, how do you suppose the landscape looks 5 years from now?
DeleteLike QBs that excel from the pocket still are the best QBs. Just that there are more of them with good athleticism.
DeleteI'm going to do a quick drive by guys, or a hit and run, if you will:
DeleteIsn't the answer to this question BOTH? Aren't we at the point where we can say with confidence that the ideal QB in 2021 is a QB's who excels from the pocket firstly, but who also is athletic enough to hold the backside LB (DE), with confidence, and is athletic enough to make those crucial, back breaking, off-schedule plays when need be, ala Mahomes, Allen, Wilson, etc?
I don't understand why we are framing this as an opportunity to draft either/or, one-trait-or-the-other, because isn't that the very definition of one dimensional prospect in today's NFL?
I think that's the biggest issue Niner fans are having with Jones @ 3. It's hard to envision a one-deminsional QB taking Kyle's offense to new heights, unless he's the next Brady, and isn't that what you're really looking for after giving up three 1st round picks, and a 3rd rounder?
OK, thanks for allowing me to hit and run, guys. Back on hiatus! Cheers!
One more for now (I promise):
DeleteFirst let me say, Mac Jones might very well end up being a pretty good NFL QB, and I don't know the kid personally, so I will no longer bash him on a personal level. I am simply speaking football here -
As far as Mac Jones having this "next level footwork (especially out of SG) and elite pocket skills" I am hearing buzz about .... I personally don't see it.
For my eyes, his feet are very "clunky" (heavy feet), and he's extremely toe-clicky as well. I just don't see this "high level" ability to navigate a muddy pocket which some are suggesting, and of course he never really needed to show it during his time at Alabama, because he almost exclusively operated out of a clean pocket.
As for what he has between his ears? Admittedly, I can't really speak for that aspect because that stuff doesn't really read on tape.
Oh, and Razor ... I'm not sure how many caught it, but I meant to tell you I caught your Scorps reference on that last article headline of yours.
Keep up the good work guys! Cheers!
Good catch, 49Reasons!
DeleteCrocker says the tea leaves read, Trey Lance.
ReplyDelete"[H]ere's the thing that I'm hearing a lot about Trey Lance: the smartest quarterback in this draft," Schrager said on Good Morning Football. "Not only the one with the most upside athletically. This kid is apparently a savant, not only on the board but just in general in life. Like, 4.0-student type stuff."
ReplyDeleteThat's what I keep hearing about both him and Jones. Part of why I have been so high on both of them. And it isn't just classroom smart - for both guys it translates to the field.
DeleteIf their both smart, who you taking? I know who I'm taking.
DeleteI'd take Lance. But as you know, I would be fine with and understand taking Jones. If it is Jones, that will tell us what Shanahan thinks his ceiling is.
DeleteGil Brandt's pro comp for Mac Jones, Andy Dalton. That's who we trading three 1st's for? No way in hell.
ReplyDeleteHe also compares Fields to Dak. Would you make that trade for Dak?
DeleteI'm not a Dak fan, but Dak over Dalton anyday for me.
DeleteScooter, no.
DeleteYep your right Razor even if its a improved Dalton/Carr/Jones.
ReplyDeleteAnd Scooter for Dak no, i rather bet everything for a QB who has traits from McNabb/Allen/Mahomes.
Or Brees/ Manning/ Brady as well.
DeleteBasically, I agree you don't make that trade for a guy you think the ceiling is a decent to good starting QB. You make it for a guy you think will be elite.
But different people see different things in these QBs. Just because Brandt sees Dalton or Dak doesn't mean Shanahan sees the same. Especially in his system.
Aaron Rodgers had a big chip on his shoulders cuz everyone passend on him except the Packers, same with Trey Lance who got from his dream university Minnesota a offer as S,and shortly after he was listed as a ATH he did go to NDS as a QB and proved everyone wrong with a titel and no INT.
ReplyDeletePlayers like this are rare especially if you see how he improved with his footwork and throwing motion and other nuances of the qb position where he was years behind Wilson,Fields and Jones that's unreal IMHO.
This young man had the heart,and drive to succeed more than the other guys.
If KS dont see this than he should not be allowed to make the call.0
Anyone who think Mac Jones has the ceiling of the 3 legends you mentioned Scooter should go to a shrink cuz those 3 had a better arm than Jones and not the same Alabama wonderteam in college.
ReplyDeleteYeah, heard that from a few people. Chances are I am seeing something that isn't there. But... imo he is a much better prospect than the majority of 49ers fans want to believe.
DeleteNo you are are a good dude Scooter, my point is that Trey Lance can also the same things except that he has a better arm,better athleticism and serious toughness but he is younger.
ReplyDeleteAlso Trey Lance has a much better preparation/work ethic than Mac Jones see the belly that 49reasons mentioned, cant imagine KS would select Mac Jones only cuz for his pinpoint accuracy above Trey Lance cuz that's the only thing he has over him.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen any reports that Fields/Jones have the same preparation as Lance,for this its not close a major green flag for Lance,Jones the opposite with his belly.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/04/24/trey-lance-nfl-draft-quarterback/