Yeah, I’m unconvinced that Lynch and Shanahan have figured out this drafting thing out. Hopefully I’m wrong.
From a few articles on the Hurd pick (or course these articles are always positive and optimistic, so take them with a grain of salt)
Hurd is not just viewed as a wide receiver by the 49ers. Hurd’s background as a star running back and his potential to perhaps line up some at tight end has coach Kyle Shanahan salivating over the possibilities.
“We plan on him coming in as a wide receiver but I don’t think that’s where it stops,” Shanahan said.
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His athleticism and multi-faceted skill set should allow the 49ers to get creative in how they use him. He can play in the slot, or outside, and he can line up in the backfield. He’ll produce at least a little bit just by virtue of being big and athletic. If he steps into the pros and continues growing in the position at the rate he did his final year in college, he could be elite.
All the physical traits are there with Hurd, but he’ll need to continue growing as a pass catcher if he’s going to justify going with the third pick in third round.
Should he hit his ceiling, he’ll be a terror in the 49ers’ offense. They needed playmakers, and Hurd should be elite in that regard. It may take a year or two for him to really hit his stride, but the potential in Hurd is off the charts.
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At 6-foot-5 and 226 pounds, it's not hard to see how Hurd can be a potential mismatch nightmare. A former standout collegiate running back at the University of Tennessee, Hurd transferred to Baylor after not wanting to suffer numerous injuries as a tailback. Hurd missed 2017 while learning wide receiver, eventually reaching just shy of 1,000 receiving yards in 2018.
Baylor primarily used Hurd as a slot receiver, yet his frame is built for boundary duties.
If 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan keeps him there, of course.
And while Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle is the team's best pass-catching weapon, one can envision how Shanahan might try to use Hurd to complement Kittle.
Hurd is a true "go up and get it" receiver, which San Francisco lacks. Having played running back, he's also capable of being handed the ball in the unique kind of offensive packages Shanahan is certain to deploy.
As a mismatch on the field with Kittle, Samuel and fellow wideout Dante Pettis, however, one can envision how Shanahan can have a lot of fun this season.
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You need a creative offensive coordinator for Jalen Hurd because he can do a little bit of everything," Daniel Jeremiah said on NFL Network's broadcast following the pick. "It's going to be a fun matchup for Kyle Shanahan in the 49ers offense."
Jeremiah praised Hurd's ability as a fluid runner with the ball in his hands. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein said that Hurd has elite size and length with plus athleticism. Hurd immediately becomes the biggest receiver on the 49ers roster.
Much like Jerick McKinnon, Hurd will be able to line up all over the field (including running back). That means Shanahan has likely already envisioned how he'll utilize another Swiss army knife.