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Three early storylines from Day One of Raiders OTAs

By Brad Weiss

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson No. 66 and tackle Donald Penn No. 72 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to block on a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson No. 66 and tackle Donald Penn No. 72 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to block on a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverines sacks J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverines sacks J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Maurice Hurst is getting 1st and 2nd team reps

When the Oakland Raiders drafted Maurice Hurst in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, some out there called the selection “irresponsible.” Hurst had a heart issue detected at the NFL Scouting Combine, and even with him being cleared by both Michigan and Harvard, teams came down hard on the Raiders for making the pick.

Well, the only thing on Hurst’s mind is playing football, and his defensive line coach at Michigan said the pick could wind up being the “greatest steal in pro football history.” On Tuesday, Hurst got to participate in his first OTA with the Raiders, and the team seems to have big plans for him.

Hurst was with the first and second team getting reps, and is a guy who could certainly be a starter when the Raiders kick off their season at home against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. He has the size and speed to be a dominant player on the inside, and is one of the strongest players in his draft class.

In Paul Guenther’s 4-3 scheme, Hurst is projected to be a starter alongside Justin Ellis on the inside, as he should move past second-year player Eddie Vanderdoes. The Raiders actually drafted a defensive tackle before Hurst in the 2018 NFL Draft, but with a clean bill of health, Hurst has to be the favorite to start.

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