In The Blitz, RotoViz writers react to the latest news and help you place it within the context of our 2020 research and recommendations.
Sometimes, a player needs a change of scenery to find his niche and produce for real and fantasy football. For one former first-round pick, a change in the offensive scheme is just what he needed. Tight end Hayden Hurst appears to be enjoying his new home with the Atlanta Falcons and is beginning to solidify his role on their high-powered offense.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst caught seven of eight targets for 62 receiving yards in a 34-27 win over Denver. Hurst has seemingly found his niche in this offense, as he has seven targets or more in three straight games and 50-plus receiving yards in four straight. The former Raven may not be the second coming of 2019 Austin Hooper, but he’s been pretty darn close, offering fantasy managers a good weekly floor. Hurst gets a Week 10 bye before an excellent matchup against the Saints in Week 11.
Polar Opposite Offensive System
After spending two seasons in one of the most run-heavy systems in football, Hurst now finds himself a key component of one of the most pass-heavy offenses in football. During his time with the Baltimore Ravens, it quickly became apparent that Hurst was not even the TE1 on his team despite his first-round draft capital. A tight end from the same class, who went two rounds later (Mark Andrews), was the preferred option on that offense.
The Ravens sent Hurst and a fourth-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for their second and fifth-round picks. The Falcons lost Hooper to the Cleveland Browns and were excited to land the athletic first-round pick. After topping 10 fantasy points once in his first five games, Hurst has now topped double-digit fantasy points in each of his last four.
