Niner Noise
FanSided

5 burning questions for the 49ers after the 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being announced as the second pick in the first round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being announced as the second pick in the first round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 01: Jalen Hurd #5 of the Baylor Bears makes a touchdown pass reception against Brandon Richmond #2 of the Abilene Christian Wildcats at McLane Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 01: Jalen Hurd #5 of the Baylor Bears makes a touchdown pass reception against Brandon Richmond #2 of the Abilene Christian Wildcats at McLane Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 4: How Will the 49ers Use Wide Receiver Jalen Hurd?

The Niners’ selection of Deebo Samuel in Round 2 made perfect sense. Samuel was a player linked to San Francisco by the way of the 2019 Senior Bowl and an individual meeting, and Kyle Shanahan wanted to reinforce his receiving corps.

Yet the 49ers doubled down, grabbing Baylor’s Jalen Hurd in Round 3. The former running back at the University of Tennessee left for Baylor in order to avoid the rigors of being a tailback. His unique usage, combined with his 6-foot-5, 226-pound frame, makes for a unique mismatch player:

Jalen Hurd Rushing & Receiving Table
Rushing Receiving Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2014 Tennessee SEC FR RB 13 190 899 4.7 5 35 221 6.3 2 225 1120 5.0 7
*2015 Tennessee SEC SO RB 13 277 1285 4.6 12 22 190 8.6 2 299 1475 4.9 14
*2016 Tennessee SEC JR RB 7 122 451 3.7 3 10 81 8.1 2 132 532 4.0 5
2017 Baylor Big 12 JR WR 0 0 0
*2018 Baylor Big 12 SR WR 12 48 209 4.4 3 69 946 13.7 4 117 1155 9.9 7
Career Overall 637 2844 4.5 23 136 1438 10.6 10 773 4282 5.5 33
Tennessee 589 2635 4.5 20 67 492 7.3 6 656 3127 4.8 26
Baylor 48 209 4.4 3 69 946 13.7 4 117 1155 9.9 7

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/27/2019.

Hurd might be classified as what one might simply call an “offensive weapon.” It’s something Shanahan hinted at during his post-day two press conference with the media, saying:

"I mean, he can do about everything. I mean, I think if he would have stayed a running back, I think he would have gotten drafted as an NFL running back. Today he got drafted as an NFL receiver, kind of. I believe if he tried to play tight end he would have gotten drafted as an NFL tight end. That’s a pretty unique thing to have. I don’t remember being able to say that about any player I’ve studied before. So, it’s neat to be able to do that and he can help us out in a lot of different ways."

San Francisco still lacked a true red-zone threat. And after finishing 2018 with the league’s worst red-zone offense, in terms of touchdown efficiency, a player like Hurd can be deployed as an H-back and complementary tight end-type weapon.

Except Hurd isn’t much of a blocker, though.

Still, the big-bodied pass catcher should be a very unique part of the 49ers offense, and it should be fun watching Shanahan figure out ways to deploy him.