Ravens Draft Hayden Hurst, Pass on WR Amid Rumors Dez Bryant Rejected Contract

The Baltimore Ravens selected University of South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst with the No. 25 overall pick Thursday in the 2018 NFL draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

With Hurst giving quarterback Joe Flacco a big target in the middle of the field, Twitter discussed the Ravens' newest addition:

Hurst is a force at 6'4", 250 pounds. The question is whether he can maximize those physical advantages to become a reliable starter at the NFL level.

The Florida native put up mundane numbers in his final season with the Gamecocks. He tallied 44 catches for 559 yards with just two touchdowns. He added nine carries for 30 yards and a score, showcasing potential versatility around the goal line.

He's got the tools to become a more consistent asset once he learns the finer points of the game, a process that didn't really start until 2015.

Hurst, who joined the South Carolina football team after three years as a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, told Bleacher Report's Dan Pompei about learning on the fly.

"My basic football knowledge was elementary—run a route really fast and catch a pass," he said. "Everything I did my freshman year was raw. I had no idea what a defense was doing schematically. I couldn't ID a single coverage."

His attempt to rise through baseball's minor leagues before making the full-time switch to football also means he'll be an "old rookie"—he turns 25 in August.

When you consider the questions about his age, experience and mediocre production along with his physical gifts and untapped potential, you get one of the toughest prospects to project in the 2018 class.

Ultimately, that translates into a boom-or-bust selection for the Ravens. Hurst could develop into a high-end, three-down tight end at the NFL level if he improves his route running and in-line blocking within the next few years. It's not a guarantee that will happen, though.

He'll compete with Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams to determine his role during his rookie season in Baltimore.