2018 NFL Draft: Browns could gamble on Maurice Hurst
As the 2018 NFL Draft draws to a close on Saturday afternoon, Michigan’s Maurice Hurst still hasn’t found a home. Despite his frightening medical problems, Hurst’s talent is undeniable, and the Cleveland Browns may take a chance on him.
Could the Cleveland Browns take a shot on a talented player with medical questions late in the 2018 NFL Draft?
Maurice Hurst’s time at the NFL Scouting Combine was cut short when he went in for his medical evaluation.
Upon coming out of the medical tent, Hurst immediately went home and did not participate in the Combine drills.
Adam Schefter reported soon after that Hurst had been diagnosed with an unnamed heart condition:
Michigan DT Maurice Hurst, projected as a potential first-round pick, was diagnosed today with a heart condition, league sources told ESPN. Hurst will not go through combine drills and will undergo further testing this week.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2018
Needless to say, this was devastating for Hurst’s draft stock. However, what came just three weeks later makes this story all the more interesting.
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On March 22nd, doctors cleared Hurst for football activities, and revived his NFL dream in the process. And yet, three rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft have gone by, and Hurst is still on the board. Maybe it’s time for the Browns to take a chance, and pull the trigger on one Maurice Hurst.
So, what could Hurst bring to the table in Cleveland? How about a 6-foot-2, 280 pound frame, with a motor that never gives out. Additionally, his 32 career tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks mean he’s more than just a space eater, a la Danny Shelton.
Alongside Larry Ogunjobi, Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, and newly-minted Chad Thomas, Hurst could make some serious noise. The Browns are stocking up on the defensive front, and it really looks like the strength of the team right now, along with their linebacking corps.
That is exactly why the Browns can afford to take a flyer on Hurst. If he can’t play due to his heart, then it really isn’t that big of a blow to the team. But, if he can play, and he succeeds, he could be one of the best value picks in this entire draft.