NFL Draft 2018 results: Raiders trade up to 140, select Michigan DT Maurice Hurst

Shortly after the start of the round five, the Raiders have traded up from pick 159 to pick 140 and have selected Michigan DT Maurice Hurst. They also send pick 185 (6th round) to the Colts in the deal.

Hurst is considered a top talent in this draft but fell to the fifth round due to concerns about his heart which caused him to be dismissed from the scouting combine. So the Raiders are gambling on him and if it works out, their defense will get much better right away.

On the field before the heart condition was revealed, Hurst was looked at as the clear-cut, cream of this defensive tackle crop. There wasn’t another interior defensive lineman close to his production as a pass-rusher in college. In 2017, he had eight sacks, 15 quarterback hits, two pass breakups and 49 total pressures in 321 pass-rushing snaps according to Pro Football Focus. And despite his smaller size at 6’3”, 280 pounds, he’s strong against the run, ranking 14th nationally in run-stop percentage.

His 4.98 40, 29 reps of 225 on the bench, and 31-inch vertical leap suggests he is physically gifted enough to produce on the same level in the NFL too. As you well know, the Raiders need help with their interior pass-rush so this pick is HUGE for the Raiders. Combined with 2nd-round physical freak P.J. Hall, the Raiders should have a good interior rush now. Edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin should have great years, benefitting from it.