Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark

The Patriots recently brought on wide receiver Jalen Hurd, an uninspiring addition to the team’s meager pass-catching corps. 

Sore from missing out on free agent DeAndre Hopkins, the New England Patriots took matters into their own hands and signed former 49ers third-rounder Jalen Hurd.

Whereas Hopkins’ negatives included his injury history and age, Hurd has a far more troubling drawback: he’s never played a single snap in the NFL.

One could hardly say the Patriots were moving forward after Hopkins’ rejection, but beggars can’t be choosers. Hurd was drafted back in 2019 yet spent his first three seasons in the league on San Francisco’s injured reserve, suffering from a back injury and multiple knee injuries.

In the 49ers’ preseason, Hurd has made a minimal impact with seven catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns. However, if he can’t stay healthy in 2023, his acquisition by New England will turn out to be a complete waste.

So, what does Hurd have going for him?

Patriots settle for ex-49ers wideout Jalen Hurd after D-Hop drama

Compared to other free agents, Hurd could be considered one of the more versatile weapons out there.

At Baylor, Hurd played running back until his senior year, when he made the positional switch to wideout. In his college career, he racked up nearly 3,000 rushing yards along with 23 rushing touchdowns. Then, when he entered the NFL, San Francisco tried to mold him into a pseudo-tight end-wide receiver type, making use of his 6-foot-5, 227-pound figure.

In 2023 with the Patriots, Hurd will be a looming X-factor — that’s the most one can say for someone who hasn’t played a single regular season game. In a wideout room of JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, and others, Hurd will have to separate himself from the pack and probably stay open-minded about his scheme usage.

The Pats have a varied array of wideouts with different skills from Kendrick Bourne’s veteran leadership to Tyquan Thornton’s high-upside talent, and Hurd will have to really wow New England’s coaches to secure a role in the offense.

A solid training camp could see him rise up the depth chart, but after his failed stint in San Francisco, he should be careful not to squander this opportunity.