Is Hayden Hurst A Good Fit With The Panthers? Fantasy Football Outlook

Former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst recently signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency. The former South Carolina star was a first-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018.

Hurst spent the first two years of his career with the Ravens before getting traded to the Atlanta Falcons during the 2020 offseason for a second-round pick. The former first-round pick had a limited role in Baltimore, totaling only 43 receptions on 62 targets for 512 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The veteran tight end spent two years in Atlanta, totaling 82 receptions on 119 targets for 792 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, including a career-high six in 2020. However, the Falcons used their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Kyle Pitts. Then the team declined Hurst’s fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the 2021 season.

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What Did Hayden Hurst Accomplish In 2022?

Following his time with the Falcons, the veteran tight end signed a one-year deal with the Bengals last offseason. The team had just lost C.J. Uzomah in free agency and needed a replacement starter. Hurst had a productive year in 2022, totaling 52 receptions on 68 targets for 414 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Cincinnati couldn't re-sign the veteran tight end this offseason. With bigger needs on the roster and upcoming expensive contract extensions for Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins, Hurst an acceptable loss.

Is Hayden Hurst A Good Fit With The Panthers?

After playing for three teams over the first five years of his career, Hurst has found a long-term home. The veteran tight end signed a three-year contract worth $21.75 million with the Panthers. The deal also includes $13 million guaranteed at signing.

Last year the former first-round pick was the TE24, averaging 6.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he has averaged only 4.8 fantasy points per game in his career, Hurst has been a productive fantasy tight end with given enough targets.

Meanwhile, the Panthers traded DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears a week ago as part of the deal to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, that has left the team’s receiving core depleted. Hurst has a chance to be a highly targeted tight end next year and be a value for fantasy players.

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