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NFL Preseason: 5 rookies to watch for Friday night

By George Stockburger

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverines sacks J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverines sacks J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverines sacks J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverines sacks J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Maurice Hurst

Originally set to be a first round pick, Michigan defensive lineman Maurice Hurst nearly lost his opportunity to play in the NFL after a heart condition was discovered at the NFL Combine. The lineman fell to Oakland in the fifth round after being passed on more than 100 times.

Jon Gruden “loves” Hurst, and it’s easy to see why with a player so talented with a chip on his shoulder. An All-American standout for the Wolverines, Hurst collected 15.5 sacks with 130 total tackles in three years.
Jon Gruden “loves” Hurst, and it’s easy to see why with a player so talented with a chip on his shoulder. An All-American standout for the Wolverines, Hurst collected 15.5 sacks with 130 total tackles in three years. /

He’s a smaller tackle, but he was routinely unblockable in college and worked with a very good coaching staff in Michigan.

Oakland’s current starters at defensive tackle are Mario Edwards Jr. and Justin Ellis, but they carry a lot of depth at the position. Veteran Ahtyba Rubin signed with the team, and Eddie Vanderdoes, a third round pick from last year, remains.

Gruden also picked up PJ Hall out of Sam Houston State in the second round.

Edwards has played on the outside, but Oakland has Bruce Irvin, Tank Carradine, and rookie Arden Key in camp. There’s also a guy named Khalil Mack waiting to return.

Here’s our scouting report on Hurst coming out of Michigan.

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