Hayden Hurst ready ‘at the drop of a hat’ to work with QB Matt Ryan

The Atlanta Falcons acted quickly after free-agent tight end Austin Hooper left to sign with the Cleveland Browns last week, immediately trading a second-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for TE Hayden Hurst.

Hurst, a 2018 first-round pick, is a complete tight end that the Falcons believe will be a great fit in their system. ESPN’s Vaughn McClure talked to Hurst about his eagerness to get to work with quarterback Matt Ryan after the COVID-19 outbreak cools down:

Asked TE Hayden Hurst if he plans to spend 1-on-1 time throwing with Matt Ryan this offseason, if things clear up with COVID-19 outbreak: “At the drop of a hat. I would go wherever he needed me to go. Obviously right now, it’s hard with the travel bans… https://t.co/AW6SoJnZ47

— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 24, 2020

Hurst posted career highs of 30 catches, 349 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2019, but was one of three tight ends to be utilized in the Ravens’ dominant offense.

Playing in Dirk Koetter’s scheme, Hurst figures to have a much bigger role as Austin Hooper turned into Matt Ryan’s No. 2 target last year behind WR Julio Jones.