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Baltimore Ravens Top 5 Breakout Candidates for 2018

By Andrew Kim

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Hayden Hurst of South Carolina after he was picked #25 overall by the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Hayden Hurst of South Carolina after he was picked #25 overall by the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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CANTON, OH – AUGUST 02: Hayden Hurst #81 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH – AUGUST 02: Hayden Hurst #81 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

With the Baltimore Ravens looking to head back into the playoffs, which five players could have a breakout season in 2018?

The Baltimore Ravens are looking to get to the playoffs after three straight seasons not making it and John Harbaugh’s time could be up if playoff aspirations are not met this year.

With some additions on the offense through free agency, especially the wide receiver core, and a loaded draft class in 2018, the Ravens have a lot of youth and talent on the depth chart at multiple positions as they look to make an impact in 2018.

Even though there are a lot of players to consider for this list, I narrowed it down here as I predict the five breakout players on the Baltimore Ravens, players that will be vital for winning this season…

5. Tight End Hayden Hurst

As a 25-year-old rookie, the first-round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft is expected to be NFL ready and a breakout player his rookie year.

Hayden Hurst was a reliable target for Jake Bentley and the South Carolina Gamecocks offense as he had 100 total receptions (no drops in 2017 and 44 catchable targets according to Pro Football Focus) and 1,281 receiving yards with four touchdowns total in his three-year career with South Carolina.

While Hurst did not have the most upside among the tight ends in the 2018 NFL draft, he had the skills to be an instant starter and contribute in year one.

With the second and third team, the 6’5″ 245-pound tight end out of South Carolina caught three passes for 14 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut in the NFL Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears.

He will get more work in future preseason games.

As of now, he is behind Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams on the tight end depth chart but he should surpass both of them as the starter along with fellow rookie Mark Andrews as they could make up a dynamic two-tight end set that will help the offense move the chains. I

f Hurst becomes the starter, he could get a lot of targets as he can block well enough to be a three-down tight end and be a consistent, reliable target for Joe Flacco.

The Ravens have an abundant history of successful tight ends in their offense (ex. Todd Heap, Shannon Sharpe, and Dennis Pitta to name a few) and the combination of Hurst and Andrews could be the next great tight end duo in Baltimore.

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