HAYDEN HURST NEWS

Makes brief preseason appearance Hurst started and played four snaps in Sunday's preseason game against Atlanta.

Impact The Falcons played most of their starts, but not QB Matt Ryan or WR Calvin Ridley. They opened with Hurst and Kyle Pitts in a two-TE formation, which could be the base look this season after Atlanta's WR group took a big hit with the Julio Jones trade. New head coach Arthur Smith was a big proponent of multi-TE formations during his time in Tennessee, and that should continue in Atlanta, though the offense will look much different out of necessity without Derrick Henry and a top O-line. While unlikely to match last year's workload, Hurst should see a few targets in Atlanta's Sept. 12 opener against the Eagles.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

After Jones' trade, Ridley is Falcons' new go-to receiver

Calvin Ridley is the new veteran leader of the Atlanta Falcons' wide receivers

AUGUST 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hayden Hurst looking to form dangerous combination with Kyle Pitts There's plenty of opportunity for two quality tight ends in Arthur Smith's offense

JULY 30, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Hayden Hurst's confidence, Lee Smith returns: What we learned at Falcons training camp, day 2 It's not Hayden Hurst vs. Kyle Pitts, the veteran tight end said. It's "Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts."

JULY 30, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

How the Julio Jones trade is moving NFL betting lines

When a titanic trade goes down in the NFL, oddsmakers get to work. But are the Titans really Super Bowl contenders?

JUNE 11, 2021

Falcons begin post-Julio Jones era in Smith's first minicamp

The Atlanta Falcons have launched their mandatory minicamp

JUNE 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons’ Hayden Hurst, Kyle Pitts to join inaugural tight end summit Top Falcons tight ends will participate in position-specific event organized by George Kittle, Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen

JUNE 5, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Falcons’ Hayden Hurst ‘a man on a mission,’ poised for a breakout year Former first-round NFL draft pick cites several reasons why he expects big things in 2021 campaign

JUNE 4, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Should Jacksonville Jaguars trade for Falcons TE Hayden Hurst? The Jacksonville Jaguars have done a good job of fortifying their roster this offseason. However, they could still make changes to their tig...

MAY 28, 2021 • BLACKANDTEAL.COM

Hayden Hurst opens up on his struggles with mental health as an NFL athlete Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst joins

MAY 15, 2021 • NFL.COM

Modest Pitts won't project role as rookie TE with Falcons

Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick Kyle Pitts and other newcomers are participating in rookie camp this week

MAY 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons pick up fifth-year option for WR Calvin Ridley

The Atlanta Falcons have picked up receiver Calvin Ridley’s fifth-year option, meaning he will make $11.1 million in 2022 and be in line for a long-term deal

MAY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

3 Most Likely Hayden Hurst Trade Destinations The Atlanta Falcons selected one of the most exciting young players in the 2021 NFL draft this past weekend in Florida tight end Kyle Pitts....

MAY 3, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

No fifth-year option The Falcons aren't exercising the fifth-year option on Hurst's rookie contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 2018 first-round pick got his big shot after a trade from Baltimore to Atlanta, but Hurst was underwhelming in his first season with the Falcons, putting up a modest 56-571-6 receiving line despite playing 70 percent of the snaps in a pass-happy Atlanta offense. He'll be working with a new coaching staff led by Arthur Smith in 2021, but the more important development for fantasy purposes is the Falcons' recent addition of No. 4 overall pick Kyle Pitts, the only FBS tight end to reach 700 receiving yards last season. Even if Hurst remains the nominal starter, he'll likely be replaced by Pitts in a lot of passing situations.

MAY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pitted against rookie Hurst is part of an Atlanta offense that now includes TE Kyle Pitts, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein reports.

Impact A first-round pick himself, Hurst finally got his big chance in 2020, playing 70 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps while averaging 5.5 targets per game. He finished with a 56/571/6 receiving line and only 6.5 yards per target, while Pitts had 770 yards and 12 TDs in only eight games for Florida last season. The uber-prospect won't necessarily be a nominal starter right away, but he should be Atlanta's top receiving threat at tight end right out of the gate. That leaves Hurst on shaky footing ahead of his fourth pro season, with the Falcons perhaps declining the fifth-year option on his rookie contract -- a decision they'll need to make by Monday afternoon.

APRIL 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bleacher Report thinks Ravens would like a "draft do-over" with Hayden Hurst The Baltimore Ravens executed a near-perfect draft in 2018 as they landed Lamar Jackson, Orlando Brown Jr., Mark Andrews, and more. The team...

APRIL 18, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Pitts puts on show at Florida's pro day for NFL evaluators

There was no shortage of Kyle Pitts highlights at Florida’s pro day Wednesday

MARCH 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFLPA awards Hurst for off-field work Hayden Hurst has been recognized for his work in promoting mental health awareness.

FEBRUARY 4, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

Falcons hire former backup QB Yates as passing specialist

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JANUARY 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta Falcons Hayden Hurst taught the most valuable lesson of 2020 The Atlanta Falcons, like a lot of people, endured a tough year in 2020. Many people, including some of the members of the Atlanta Falcons,...

JANUARY 20, 2021 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Secures TD to cap strong 2020 Hurst reeled in four of six targets for 28 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 44-27 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Hurst's fourth-quarter TD catch helped reduce Atlanta's deficit to three points with 8:19 to go, as the 27-year-old tight end concluded his 2020 campaign with scores in three straight games. His 56 receptions, 571 receiving yards and six TDs all represent huge increases from previous career highs established during his first two NFL seasons in Baltimore. The Falcons have a decision to make on Hurst's fifth-year option going into the offseason, but it's hard to imagine there's another tight end on the roster capable of making equal contributions as a pass catcher.

JANUARY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Brady throws for 4 TDs, Bucs pull away from Falcons 44-27

Tom Brady threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns in helping the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinch the fifth seed in the NFC with a 44-27 regular season-ending win over the...

JANUARY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons Highlights: Hayden Hurst catch sets up Matt Ryan TD run The Falcons trail by 13 at halftime to the Buccaneers, but the score would have been a lot worse if not for a touchdown late in the first ha...

JANUARY 3, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Koo's miss adds to Falcons' long list of ways to lose games

Eight of the Atlanta Falcons' 11 losses this season have come by an average of 3.5 points

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores in second straight game Hurst corralled all five of his targets for 47 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Chiefs.

Impact Hurst tallied his second TD in as many games, punching in a score at the 3:35 mark of the second quarter via a Matt Ryan shovel pass. The 27-year-old tight end has shattered career highs across the board, with 52 receptions, 543 receiving yards and five TDs heading into a Week 17 finale against the Buccaneers. Hurst scored against Tampa Bay last Sunday in a 31-27 loss, a not-so-infrequent pattern for tight ends as the Buccaneers have surrendered eight to the position in 2020.

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE