The San Francisco 49ers selected Baylor wide receiver Jalen Hurd with the third pick (No. 67 overall) in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He visited with the 49ers in Santa Clara on April 16.
Hurd, a converted running back, caught 69 passes for 946 yards with four touchdowns as a senior in 2018. He also had 48 carries for 209 rushing yards with three rushing touchdowns that season. Hurd transferred from Tennessee in the middle of the 2016 season and sat out the ensuing year due to NCAA rules.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-5 and 226-pound Hurd had 23 reps in the bench press. Other measurables for Hurd include an arm length of 32 inches and hands that measure 10 1/4 inches.
NFL.com projected Hurd to be a third-round draft pick.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Hurd to Terrelle Pryor, wrote the following about Hurd within his scouting report:
"Hurd was used as big slot but he might need to transition into a role outside to take advantage of his potential to stretch the field as a downfield ball-winner. He's still learning the nuances of the position, but he has outstanding traits, a great work ethic and an ability to get much better very quickly. While Hurd will be an NFL receiver, he offers a unique option of becoming a short-yardage banger near the goal line. His best days are in front of him."
Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote the following about Hurd within his scouting report:
"A one-year starter at Baylor, Hurd rushed for 2,638 yards over three seasons at Tennessee before choosing to leave the program with hopes of a fresh start at a new position and program. He landed at Baylor where he moved to slot receiver and earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors with 69 catches for 946 yards and seven scores (four receiving, three rushing) in 2018. Hurd ran a simple route tree, relying on slants and outs, with very few targets more than 10- plus yards on tape. While inexperienced, he has intriguing size/speed traits and shows an understanding of how to handle himself vs. coverage. Overall, Hurd must improve his route tempo and downfield skills to expand his role in the NFL, but his natural athleticism and ball skills suggest he has a promising future as an NFL hybrid slot weapon."
Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst wrote the following about Hurd within his scouting report:
"Hurd was very productive at the college level as a running back as well as a receiver and comes with big upside potential. He lacks the speed and overall quickness to separate at receiver, and he could eventually develop into a move tight end with his size and growth potential."
Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network wrote the following about Hurd within his scouting report:
"Jalen Hurd is one of the more fascinating WR prospects, as he feels as though he's really just scratching the surface of who he can be. Hurd possesses good hands, a natural feel for navigating in space and more slipperiness than you'd expect to find when boxed in a phone booth. Hurd is technically a mess but he'd be a great developmental project for a team that likes to target size in the intermediate areas of the field. Get him on LBs and SAFs, especially early on."
Measurables
Height: 6-5
Weight: 226 lbs.
Arm length: 32 inches
Hand length: 10 1/4 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
Bench press: 23 reps
| College Statistics | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||||
| Year | School | Class | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2014 | Tennessee | FR | 13 | 190 | 899 | 4.7 | 5 | 35 | 221 | 6.3 | 2 |
| 2015 | Tennessee | SO | 13 | 277 | 1285 | 4.6 | 12 | 22 | 190 | 8.6 | 2 |
| 2016 | Tennessee | JR | 7 | 122 | 451 | 3.7 | 3 | 10 | 81 | 8.1 | 2 |
| 2017 | Baylor | JR | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 2018 | Baylor | SR | 12 | 48 | 209 | 4.4 | 3 | 69 | 946 | 13.7 | 4 |
| Total | 637 | 2844 | 4.5 | 23 | 136 | 1438 | 10.6 | 10 | |||
