Hayden Hurst is a free agen for the Bengals and is predicted by PFF to get a contract of 3yrs 8.5m per yr while Spotrac lists him at a more reasonable 1yr at 6.8m. I thought it might be a good idea to look at what he did good for the Bengals and areas a replacement could possibly do better.

Hayden Hurst

Age 29.5

Hieght 6’4"

Weight 250

Speed 4.67

Receptions 52

Yards 414

TDs 2

Total grade and snaps 64.5% & 675

Receiving grade and snaps 66% & 510

Pass blocking grade 41% & 16 snaps

Run blocking grade 58.7% & 149 snaps

Where was he lined up:

Backfield 12

Inline 399

Slot 168

Wide 103

ST non FG & xpt 3

FG & xpt 70

As you can see although he lined up inline or backfield 411 out of 584 snaps he was only asked to block 165 snaps. At looking at how the Bengals might replace or improve this production I examined 2 names Josh Oliver and Mark Hollins. When I compare each player’s production to Hurst’s I will put Hurst’s production in parentheses.

Josh Oliver

PFF prediction 3yrs 3.5m per

Age 25.9 (29.5)

Hieght 6’5" (6’4")

Weight 259 (250)

Receptions 14 (52)

Yards 149 (414)

TDs 2 (2)

Total grade 72.3% & 561 snaps. (64.5% & 675)

Receiving 63.1% & 176 snaps (66% & 510)

Pass Blocking 71.9% & 36 snaps (41% & 16)

Run blocking 74% & 353 snaps (58.7% & 149)

Where was he line up at:

Backfield 8 (12)

Inline 440 (399)

Slot 71 (168)

Wide 41 (103)

OL 1 (0)

ST non FG/XP 113 (3)

FG/XP 28 (70)

The thing to keep in mind with Oliver is the Ravens have Andrews, Likely and Kolars all playing TE for them so the receiving opportunity are going to be more limited. However, when given the opportunity he acquitted himself well. Plus he is a much better blocker and ST player than Hurst.

Mark Hollins

PFF predicts salary 2yrs 4m per

Age 29.4 (29.5)

Hieght 6’4" (6’4")

Weight 221 (250)

Speed 4.51 (4.67)

Receptions 57 (52)

Yards 690 (414)

TDs 4 (2)

Total grade 63.8% & 1030 snaps (64.5% & 675)

Receiving grade 61.4% & 641 snaps (66% & 510)

Pass blocking grade 77.9% & 4 snaps. (41% &16)

Run blocking grade 74.9% & 380 snaps (58.7% & 149)

Where did he line up at:

Backfield 7 (12)

Inline 8 (399)

Slot 146 (168)

Wide 869 (103)

ST non FG 64 (3)

Hollins is a sort of out of the box way of solving the problem. He is not a TE but rather a large fast WR. When asked to block he does a good job even if it is rarely inline. He participates on ST. I feel with his speed he could really rumble down the middle of the field and draw coverage away from Bengals boundary WR’s.

There are multiple other outside FA options at TE and many draft options but with other positions of need to address I feel for the money this 2 headed monster at TE would be a great option.