New England Patriots: Seven round 2018 mock draft

Round 2, Pick 63: TE Hayden Hurst, South Carolina

It’s time the Patriots begin to prepare for life without Rob Gronkowski.

According to Sports Reference, Hurst hauled in 100 receptions in three seasons at South Carolina, posting 1,281 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He had an additional 36 yards rushing and one touchdown on eleven carries.

Hurst measured in at 6-foot-4, 250-pounds at the NFL Combine, and clocked a 4.67-second 40-yard dash. While he doesn’t have Gronk’s size, he’s still a solid weapon in the passing game. According to Pro Football Focus, Hurst dropped just three of 103 catchable passes over his career at South Carolina.