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New England Patriots: Full 2018 first round NFL mock draft

By Kenneth Teape

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 30: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose Jameis Winston of the Florida State Seminoles
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 30: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose Jameis Winston of the Florida State Seminoles /
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BAL No. 16 Overall Pick: South Carolina TE, Hayden Hurst

The Baltimore Ravens have struggled to find playmakers for Joe Flacco in recent seasons. This offseason, they overhauled their playmakers. Michael Crabtree and John Brown have signed this offseason. Now, it is time for the Ravens to find a tight end for Flacco to work with.

With the No. 16 pick in the first round, the Ravens will nab South Carolina tight end, Hayden Hurst. Hurst was a record-setting tight end at South Carolina. He has the single-season record for receptions, 48, and receiving yards, 616, which is set in 2016. His numbers dropped in 2017 slightly, but South Carolina’s offense wasn’t great.

Hurst isn’t your normal rookie. He will be 25-years old when the season begins, as he didn’t start playing college football until 2015. Hurst played baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization before walking on at South Carolina.

His age will be a red flag for some teams, but Hurst should be able to come in and help a team right from the start. His athleticism could cause some matchup problems, as he is fast enough to beat defenders up the seam.

That kind of big-play threat from the tight end position is exactly what Flacco and the Ravens’ offense could use. Brown will provide some big plays from the receiver position, but getting someone to open up the middle would really help things as well.

If the Ravens can develop Hurst’s blocking ability, he could turn into an everyday player. With Dennis Pitta’s career-ending prematurely, and Maxx Williams not providing much, it is time for Baltimore to find another player to help shore up the tight end spot.

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