I was wrong about Hayden Hurst - I'll take my crow medium rare, plz

[leonardfan40]

(01-09-2023, 10:42 AM)ochocincos Wrote: I'd put Hurst about on par with Uzomah.

Hurst had more receptions this year than Uzomah had last year, but Uzomah had over 2 YPR higher.
Had Hurst been able to play 16 games like Uzomah did last year and kept his YPG of 31.8, Hurst would have probably just barely surpassed 500 yards.

As for blocking, Uzomah is better than Hurst.
In all the games Uzomah played last year, he allowed only 1 total pressure, 0 sacks.
Through 13 games so far this season, Hurst has allowed 5 total pressures, 1 of which was a sack.

But then you get to the cost of each guy.
Hurst - 1 year, $3.5 mill
Uzomah - 3 years, $24 mill

Hurst was a far better value contract-wise than Uzomah.
I do expect Hurst to get $5+ mill APY though this offseason, and I think the Bengals would be willing to give it to him.

All you need is the eyeball test. Hurst is the better pass catcher, no contest. Stats don’t tell the whole story. Go watch each one of their catches and tell me it’s close.

Uzomah is a much better blocker though.

People also fell in love with his personality and leadership which were always greater than his contributions to the passing game, but it overrated his skills that last year.

As others have said, we just don’t use the TE that much currently with the 3 headed monster at WR. Once we have to make tough choices their, our TE usage may increase. Until then, it’s better to stick with cheaper options at TE. If Hurst wants over $6 mil per year then we should probably let him walk and find another.