Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 5 players the 49ers should avoid in Round 1

By Aaron Tan

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Steven Montez #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes is pursued by Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverine during the second half at Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Colorado 45-28. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Steven Montez #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes is pursued by Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverine during the second half at Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Colorado 45-28. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Defensive Tackle Maurice Hurst, Michigan

Don’t get me wrong. Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst would make a great day two pick. However, I’m seeing Hurst pop up in many mock drafts in the first round, which is genuinely perplexing.

Hurst is a 6-foot-2, 282-pound defensive tackle, which is undersized in terms of height and weight for a defensive lineman, especially an interior one. So why are so many experts saying that he will go in the first round?

Hurst is incredibly fast off the line of scrimmage, bursting through at literally light speed after the ball is snapped. As a result, the opposing offensive lineman doesn’t have time to get set, and Hurst finds himself in the backfield on many plays.

My problem with Hurst as a first-round pick is that NFL players are on a whole other level. Coaches will prepare the offensive linemen to get set particularly quickly prior to their games against Hurst, and I would think that they are more than up to the challenge.

Hurst’s lack of size prevents him from being a worthy first-round pick.