New Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is a big fan of one of the team’s 5th-round draft picks.
Gruden told the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett that he loves Maurice Hurst, whom the team traded up to select early in the 5th round of the draft.
“Love Hurst,” Gruden said, via Birkett. “He’s been well coached at Michigan, he’s polished. He’s got a great motor. That’s why we traded up to get him. He’s exactly what we thought he was.”
Hurst was viewed as a potential first-round pick coming out of Michigan. But a medical check of the defensive lineman at the combine revealed a heart condition that led Hurst to slip in the draft. The Raiders decided to take a chance on him and will have him submit to annual heart checks. In the meantime, he may turn out to be one of the more valuable 5th-round picks in the league.
