Last week, the Raiders released two former draft picks in defensive tackle Maurice Hurst and defensive end Arden Key after three seasons, saving a total of over $4 million in salary cap money.
Now both have found a new home, back in the Bay Area with the 49ers. Hurst tweeted out the news Thursday afternoon.
49ers Let’s Go to Work!! This defense is about to go crazy!! Time to eat!
— Maurice Hurst Jr (@mohurstjr) April 22, 2021
Hurst signing with the 49ers comes a day after Key had joined the Raiders’ former cross-bay rival.
The #49ers are signing former #Raiders pass-rusher Arden Key to a 1-year deal, source said. More depth with some upside.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2021
Key and Hurst were third and fifth-round picks respectively in Gruden’s first draft back with the Raiders in 2018. Neither were able to elevate the Raiders’ struggling pass rush as the team had hoped.
Hurst was a star at Michigan who was once considered a top ten draft talent until he was flagged for a heart condition at the scouting combine. This caused him to tumble in the draft until the Raiders traded up in the fifth round to get him.
While the heart condition has yet to really materialize, his status as a top prospect hasn’t either. He showed just enough to always look like he was on the brink of breaking out, but it wasn’t consistent enough to earn a regular starting job.
Hurst appeared in 40 games in three seasons with 17 starts, putting up eight career sacks, and 17 QB hits. While Key had just three sacks in 37 appearances with ten starts.
As it happens, the Raiders signed former 49ers defensive lineman Solomon Thomas this offseason.
