Philadelphia Eagles: 3 Late-round sleeper targets in 2019 NFL Draft
By Jeremy Klump
3. Jalen Hurd, Wide Receiver, Baylor
Projected Round: 4 or 5
Former Baylor wide receiver Jalen Hurd hasn’t had your stereotypical path to the NFL. The 6-5 wide receiver started his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, as a running back. It may sound crazy, but Tennessee gave Hurd the ball a lot and he did well. Hurd carried the ball 589 times for 2,635 yards and 20 touchdowns. However, Hurd left Tennessee and decided to transfer Baylor, but did so as a wide receiver.
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The switch to wide receiver has had its growing pains, but if a team is ready to keep pushing through those pains with Hurd, they may get a steal in the 2019 NFL Draft.
For starters, Hurd was a giant for a running back, but he is still huge for a wide receiver. His size should make some scouts happy with the thought of developing his route running. Hurd could be a player that learns for a year or two with potential to be a stud. His ceiling at wide receiver is extremely high and that aspect alone will attract a lot of teams.
Teams know that Hurd will not hit his potential in year one, which is why he will probably go in the fourth or fifth round. I would not be surprised to see a team risk it with him in the third, but for the Eagles, the fourth round would be perfect.
Hurd may not be a star in year one, but he will be able to contribute to the Eagles right away. Head coach Doug Pederson would be able to get Hurd involved in the offense. The Eagles could also use him at running back on different occasions too.
Imagine the Eagles lining up in five-wide, with tight end Zach Ertz as one of the receivers, and with no running back on the field. That would force the defense to likely come out in a formation with one linebacker. But then the Eagles could shift and put Hurd into the backfield as a running back and Ertz at tight end. That is a scary thought for NFL defensive coordinators.