Getty Hayden Hurst #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with his team after he scores a touch down.
The NFL trade deadline is just a few hours away and while the Atlanta Falcons haven’t made a move yet, don’t count them out.
While they likely won’t be buyers due to a salary cap mess, they could be potential sellers.
According to a report from NFL insider Albert Beer last week, the Falcons were taking calls from teams inquiring about tight end Hayden Hurst:
“The Falcons haven’t put TE Hayden Hurst on the block, but calls have come in on him, based largely on the fact that he’ll be a free agent after the year. Atlanta probably won’t deal him, barring an unexpectedly rich offer,” Breer wrote.
So, who could be asking for him?
Pro Football Network recently revealed four potential landing spots for Hurst, with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 1 followed by the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennesee Titans.
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Why A Ravens Reunion Makes Sense
The Falcons traded with the Baltimore Ravens for Hurst ahead of the 2020 season. In his first season with Atlanta, Hurst posted a career-high 56 catches for 571 yards and six touchdowns and 88 targets.
This past offseason, however, Terry Fontenot and Co. decided not to exercise Hurst’s fifth-year option, which means he will become a free agent at the end of the year.
Hurst, 27, is set to get $1.349 million fully guaranteed this season and cost the Falcons a cap hit of $1,984,914. If the Falcons picked up his fifth-year option, then they would have paid Hurst $5.428 million in 2022.
The Falcons have a combination of Lee Smith and Kyle Pitts now, so keeping Hurst around might not make sense anymore. As for the Ravens, their backup tight end Nick Boyle is currently on the injured reserve which leaves them with Mark Andrews as their only reliable option. A reunion with Hurst could give them a major boost on the depth chart.
The Packers are ‘Doing Homework’ on Tight Ends
The second team on Pro Football Network’s list are the Green Bay Packers where James Fragoza cites the lack of reliable weapons left on their offense with Davante Adamas and Robert Tonyan both injured:
“Aaron Rodgers just lost one of his favorite weapons, not named Davante Adams, on Thursday Night Football. With Robert Tonyan heading to IR with an ACL tear, the Packers would be wise to bolster the position. Marcedes Lewis is an astounding 37 years old, and second-year TE Josiah Deguara plays the H-back role. Hurst could easily slide in and take over as Rodgers’ safety blanket.”
On the morning of the November 1st trade deadline, ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the Packers are “doing homework” on tight ends before the 4 PM deadline, noting that Giants’ Even Engram and Hurst are the highest options available at the position.
Several teams believe the Packers are doing homework on tight ends as the deadline nears. Evan Engram and Hayden Hurst are high-end options. Jordan Akins and Jacob Hollister would be more affordable options.
It’s unclear what the Falcons will do at this point, but don’t be surprised if you’ve seen the last of Hurst in red and black.
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