3 players the Las Vegas Raiders need to extend soon

3 players the Las Vegas Raiders need to extend soon

Maurice Hurst, DT, Free Agent: 2022

Mo Hurst was a diamond in the rough for the Raiders in the 2018 NFL Draft. After reportedly being quite high on the Raiders, and many other teams’ draft board, Hurst plummeted down mock drafts after it was reported that he had a heart condition.

This condition prevented him from participating in the 2018 NFL Combine, but he was cleared for Michigan’s Pro Day, and to play football going forward.

Jon Gruden decided that Hurst was worth the risk despite his health condition, and selected the defensive tackle in the fifth round. Since being drafted, Hurst has stayed healthy and has not been hindered by his heart condition.

He has, additionally, well outperformed his draft position.

Hurst is, without question, the best interior pass rusher that the Raiders have on their roster, and that was even more obvious when he was absent during the 2020 season due to being placed on the COVID-19/Reserve List.

Pro Football Focus graded Hurst as one of the best interior rushers in all of the league last season, as he was ranked as the 15th best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the league. In fact, he was graded as the 21st best overall defensive tackle in the NFL.

Hurst is continuing to improve and, like Kolton Miller, is just 25 years old. As long as he continues to avoid issues stemming from his heart condition, the Raiders were able to steal a first-round talent with a fifth-round pick.

Extending him should be a no-brainer.