receiver and how he can help Tampa Bay"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 2016 NFL DraftInjuriesFree AgencyGame FilmBuccaneers Draft Profile: WR Jalen HurdNew
Womens Warren Sapp Jersey ,3commentsTaking a look at the running back turned receiver and how he can help Tampa BayEDTShareTweetShareShareBuccaneers Draft Profile: WR Jalen HurdJerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsHere’s the thing about offensive minded coaches - they want weapons on that side of the ball. With the loss of DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries, the Buccaneers find themselves in need of finding some help at receiver. Yes, they signed Breshad Perriman, but that doesn’t solve all the issues. They will likely look to address receiver at some point in this draft, preferably day three.Jalen Hurd’s CareerJalen Hurd started his collegiate career at Tennessee as their starting running back. In three seasons with the Vols, Hurd had 589 carries for 2,635 yards and 20 touchdowns. He would tack on 67 receptions for 462 yards and six touchdowns. He then transferred to Baylor due to his desire to switch to receiver and Tennessee telling him no. With Baylor, he had 69 receptions for 946 yards and four touchdowns.The year he was forced to sit out may have hurt him a little bit in his transition, but Hurd is an offensive weapon no matter where you line him up.ProsAt 6’4” and 230 lbs, Hurd is already the prototypical size you want in a receiver. His has natural ability to catch with his hands rather than his body which helped his transition move a little faster.He has zero fear about making catches in traffic despite knowing a defender is there to blow him up and he will be a dominant jump-ball receiver after a little time.Tons of raw athletic ability and has the drive to become a very good, very solid contributer with the proper coaching and continued development.ConsRaw. Very raw. He’s going to be somewhat of a project so whatever team takes him has to have a strong staff in place and has to consider him a luxury rather than a need. Hurd still has a ot of work to do as far as his route running ability and expanding his route tree. NFL corners will chew him up and spit him out if he doesn’t get better with his running ability in a hurry.If he wants to get on the field as a receiver in the NFL, he’s going to have to put a ton of work into run blocking of which he has done little to none. It’s a big part of being a receiver and he hasn’t exactly shown the willingness to do so.Why The Buccaneers Need HimQuite frankly, they don’t - which is exactly why he may be drafted. Remember, this guy is going to be a project and need to go somewhere that he’s a luxury and with a solid staff in place to develop him. That’s the Bucs.Hurd can develop into an insane red zone threat as well as provide yet another mismatch for opposing defenses if he can get his route running down. He has a long way to go, but could begin contributing to this team on a consistent basis by mid-season.They have the speed guy in Perriman, but haven’t replaced the production of Humphries yet. Hurd could easily develop into that player.Will It Happen?If Hurd is still sitting around come day three, I can absolutely see this being a target for the Bucs. Looking at addressing needs on days one and two, the Bucs could look at Hurd if he’s there at the start of the fourth. Bring him along, develop him, crisp up those routes, and have a plethora of massive receivers that can make plays from any spot on the field. TAMPA BAY (3-6) at MIAMI (4-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Ryan Jensen Jersey , Fox OPENING LINE – Dolphins by 3 RECORD VS SPREAD – Tampa Bay 2-6-1, Miami 3-4-2 SERIES RECORD – Tied 5-5 LAST MEETING – Buccaneers won 22-19, Nov. 11, 2013 LAST WEEK – Buccaneers beat Jets 15-10; Dolphins lost to Panthers 45-21 AP PRO32 RANKING – Buccaneers No. 28, Dolphins No. 23 BUCCANEERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (28), PASS (3) BUCCANEERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (27), RUSH (14), PASS (29) DOLPHINS OFFENSE – OVERALL (31), RUSH (30), PASS (29) DOLPHINS DEFENSE – OVERALL (17), RUSH (20), PASS (15) STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: Game was rescheduled from Week 1 because of Hurricane Irma. …Bucs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will again start in place of Jameis Winston, sidelined by injured throwing shoulder. Fitzpatrick has 471 yards passing with five TDs and two interceptions in past two starts against Miami. … Bucs have totaled 28 points in past three games. … Bucs LB Kendell Beckwith leads NFL rookies with 50 tackles. … LB Lavonte David has four fumble recoveries, which leads NFL and is tied for most in season in Buccaneers history. … Bucs had six sacks last week, increasing season total to 14. … WR Mike Evans returns from a one-game suspension for violating league’s unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness rules. … Cameron Brate has 12 TD catches since 2016, tied for most among NFL TEs. … Miami has been outscored 112-45 while losing past three games, and has been outscored by 87 points this year, fourth worst in NFL. … Dolphins haven’t led at start of fourth quarter all season. … In past three weeks, Dolphins’ NFL ranking in run defense has slipped from fifth to 20th. They allowed Panthers 294 yards rushing Monday night. … WR Jarvis Landry leads NFL with 61 catches but ranks 38th in yards with 472. … RB Kenyan Drake’s 66-yard run Monday was Dolphins’ first rushing TD this year. … S T.J. McDonald had nine tackles at Carolina in season debut. … Dolphins’ kickoff coverage ranks as NFL’s best with average starting position of 21.8-yard line for opponents. … Fantasy Tip: Dolphins’ offense has been slightly better at home and Jay Cutler has 120.5 passer rating in past two home games. He might break out with big day against Bucs’ weak pass defense. —