Baltimore Ravens: Hayden Hurst key to offensive success in 2018
Rookie tight end Hayden Hurst will help the Baltimore Ravens transform their offense. Could he be the key to saving Joe Flacco?
The Baltimore Ravens have been longing for a true identity on offense. For decades, they have been known for their fierce defense and running game. It’s a style and aura that has existed since the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2013, the Ravens found themselves winning another title in Ray Lewis’ swan song. It was the franchise’s second title in 13 years thanks to stellar defense and surprisingly perfect play by Joe Flacco.
Flacco’s Super Bowl winning run through the playoffs earned the quarterback $100 million contract. Since then, however, the same success has been hard to come by. Despite having defenses ranked inside the top 10 in points and yards allowed two out of the last three seasons, the Ravens have missed the playoffs.
Their lack of offensive explosiveness has a lot to do with their inability to make the postseason. After all, they are in a division with the NFL’s best offense in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Consequently, early on in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Ravens made it clear where that they wanted to improve the offense. And, with the No. 25 pick, the Ravens selected South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst. With Hurst on their roster, the Ravens can have their offense catch up to their defense and make the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Flacco’s comfort with tight ends in the passing game is why the Ravens drafted one in the first round. Whether it was Todd Heap, Dennis Pitta or Owen Daniels, Flacco’s tight ends played a major role in the offense during Baltimore’s most successful offensive years.
In 2009, Heap finished second on the team in touchdowns with six. In 2012, Pitta’s seven touchdowns were also second highest on the team. Finally in 2017, Benjamin Watson was tied for a team-high four touchdowns while also leading the team in catches. In those years, the Ravens offense ranked 10th or better in the league.
In addition to Flacco’s success and love for tight ends, new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg utilizes the position just as much. The marriage between offensive and quarterback couldn’t be better. Early on in his tenure as offensive coordinator under Andy Reid in Philadelphia, he had L.J. Smith at the tight end spot. While Smith did get featured in the offense he wasn’t the athlete that his successor was.
However, in 2009, Brent Celek led the team in catches with 89 to go with eight touchdowns. Additionally, in 2011 and 2012, Celek finished second on the team in catches. In Mornhinweg’s two seasons as the Jets offensive coordinator, his tight ends combined for 118 catches and 11 touchdowns.
With Hurst, Mornhinweg and Flacco will get their ideal weapon at the position. During the pre-draft process, Hurst was praised for his excellent athleticism. Because of his ability to win on 50-50 balls, the 6-5, 250-pound tight end makes a great red-zone target. Furthermore, his quickness and play speed allow for him to be a great threat down the seam. Additionally, his athleticism was one of the reasons he lined up at wide receiver for South Carolina.
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Hurst also has an understanding of coverage and often knows where to sit in the zone. After he catches the ball, he uses his strength, speed and quickness to convert into power and run through defenders. Thanks to his ability to be a seam threat and a blocker, he has been compared to former Colts tight end Dallas Clark. Coincidentally, Flacco played with Clark in the latter’s final season in 2013.
The Baltimore Ravens drafted a player who could help their offense in multiple ways. Hayden Hurst is the new breed of pass catching tight end with an old school, powerful style of game. If he stays healthy, Hurst can help lift the Ravens offense to the next level.