Training camp risers to target at the end of your fantasy football drafts
By Raju Byfield
Fantasy Football Camp Impact: Jalen Hurd (WR – SF)
It was nothing short of a travesty that someone like Trent Taylor could be in line to block Jalen Hurd from seeing significant snaps this season. While Dante Pettis and Deebo Samuel seem set as the San Francisco 49ers number one and two receivers respectively, the number three wide receiver role is now wide open following Taylor’s injury.
Jerick McKinnon having a setback also opens up more targets in the passing game. A former running back at Tennessee before transferring to Baylor to play wide receiver, if the running back room continues to thin, Hurd may also see backfield snaps.
Miscast by some onlookers as a Cordarelle Patterson gadget type without a true NFL position, Hurd actually has the talent to play both at a high level. An NFL comparison would be a rich man’s Ty Montgomery.
Hurd can play both inside and out and will likely become a preferred red zone target for the 49ers due to his 6’4 frame. Hurd had 1,285 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore running back at Tennessee. He hauled in 69 receptions, 946 receiving yards and four touchdowns as a receiver at Baylor.
While he may have never turned into a high end running back in the NFL, due to being more polished there, he actually grades better as a running back. However, he is a natural receiver who can excel after the catch due to said background.
He does have a ton of room to grow as a receiver, but it should be noted that due to his size and excellent hands one would likely never guess that Hurd was a former running back that had success at a major program.
This is what coach Kyle Shanahan had to say about Jalen Hurd and fellow rookie Deebo Samuel:
"“They’re both big guys, big targets,” Shanahan said. “They have strong hands who can defeat holding. When guys are on them, they’re not thrown off their routes as much. “Not only do they have the bodies like that, but they have the mentality to go with it.”"
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area
A running back with the ball in his hands, Hurd exploded for two touchdowns off of three receptions in his preseason debut. He went for only 31 yards, but that is no surprise as Hurd made his living out of the slot and shorter routes at Baylor. An end of the bench flier with significant upside, Hurd could play his way into flex2 value as the season progresses.