2018 NFL Draft: Immediate reactions, grades to Raiders selection of Maurice Hurst at 140 overall

The Oakland Raiders moved from pick 159 to 140 overall sending the Colts pick 185 (6th round). With the 140th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jon Gruden and the Raiders selected Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. What does the staff at Silver & Black Pride think of the pick?

Tyler Green (@TylerGreenSB)

One of the best picks in the entire draft, the Raiders just got a top-ten talent in the fifth round due to a heart condition. But in the fifth round, his potential far outweighs the risk. Hurst is a perfect fit for Paul Guenther’s 4-3 scheme and should be a starter from day one giving the Raiders a much needed interior pass rush.

Grade: A+

RDreamer (@RaiderDamus)

First the Raiders get a steal with Arden Key, and now this. While the Raiders front office may have reached for a few picks in this draft, they have now drafted two major steals as both Key and Hurst were top-ten prospects at some point. Hurst’s heart ailment is a concern to many teams, but clearly not to the Raiders, and even though Raider fans were clamoring for Hurst all weekend, Gruden and MacKenzie and company bided their time until the perfect spot to pounce on him. Hurst, Key, Mack and Irvin could give Oakland a devastating pass rush in short order.

Grade: A+

Ryan Lipton (@Rytime98)

Best pick of the draft by far. He is a first-round talent and Oakland was able to land him in the fifth round. Hurst will also fill a massive need and can provide a push up the middle to help free up Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin and Mario Edwards Jr to sack the quarterback.

Excellent pick, however, is it good or bad that the Raiders’ most talented draft pick was selected in the fifth round?

Grade: A+

Levi Damien (@LeviDamien)

Love, love, love this pick at this point. Granted, no matter where you draft a guy, if there are that serious of concerns about his heart, it doesn’t matter. But at this point, you can take him and monitor him, and even if you decide ultimately he can’t play, you didn’t lose a whole lot. Even if he can only be a part time player. While the potential of getting a top five overall pick in the fifth round is too great to pass up.

Grade: A+