Patriots Sign 6-5 Receiver Jalen Hurd; One Last Chance?

The Patriots have agreed to terms with former 49ers third-round selection and Baylor standout Jalen Hurd. How can the 6-5 receiver help?

No, he isn't DeAndre Hopkins. But yes, the New England Patriots are - almost as always - in need for help at wideout. So they are signing wide receiver Jalen Hurd, giving him yet another chance at success in the NFL.

The 27-year-old Hurd was a third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. However, injuries have kept him from ever appearing in a regular-season game. He spent his first three seasons in the NFL on the IR list and was waived by San Francisco in 2021. He did not play for any NFL during the 2022 season.

the Patriots gave him a workout on Monday afternoon, and obviously coach Bill Belichick and staff see something here - and something more than just the fact that he is a noticeable 6-5 and 230 pounds.the Patriots apparently liked what they saw and decided to give Hurd another shot here in a move that was first reported by Jordan Schultz.

Jalen Hurd. TOUGH. 😤

(via @nflnetwork)pic.twitter.com/1h5VLui2T0

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 11, 2019

Interestingly, even at his height, he started as a running back for Tennessee and rushed for 20 touchdowns over 33 games. He eventually transferred to Baylor in 2018 and made the shift to receiver, catching 69 passes for 946 yards and four touchdowns.

He has sustained injuries to his back as a rookie, and then a torn ACL in training camp in 2020, and then a knee injury in 2021. So while Hopkins will be at the top of the depth chart with his new team the Titans, Hurd will start at the bottom of the depth chart and line up at receiver in New England's training camp.