Dynasty Football Factory

2026 NFL Draft Coverage: Ted Hurst

All Access, Dynasty, Rookie / By Wolf Trelles-Heard / April 25, 2026

Ted Hurst was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, becoming the 15th wide receiver and 84th overall player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Despite prototypical size for a receiver, Ted Hurst was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school. He went to the only school that offered him a spot: Valdosta State. There, he caught 60 passes, topped 1,000 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns across two seasons.

Ahead of his junior year, Hurst transferred to Georgia State and started to get noticed. He broke the school record with nine receiving touchdowns in his first season with the Panthers. As a senior, he hauled in 71 receptions for 1,004 yards and end zone trips. Those numbers earned him First-Team All-Sun Belt honors.

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Standing at 6’4”, Hurst has great size and knows how to weaponize it. He uses his frame to box out smaller cornerbacks and win contest-catch situations, particularly in the end zone on fade routes. He has strong hands, plucking the ball out of the air with ease. But he’s not just a big-bodied boundary guy. Hurst also possesses a quick first step and has the top-end acceleration to blow past defenders on vertical routes.

For weaknesses, his release package does need some work. Hurst relies too heavily on his footwork, with minimal hand usage. He’ll need to develop that better to avoid getting bogged down in his release. And while he was listed at 185 in college, Hurst did himself a favor and bulked up some to combat press coverage in the pros. At the NFL Combine, he weighed in at 206 pounds, which I’d like to see him stay at to deal with bigger, stronger NFL corners.

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Ted Hurst: The Big Receiver Who Makes Life Easier

Ted Hurst is the kind of wide receiver you notice pretty quickly once you stop chasing names and start watching traits. He’s big. He’s strong. And he plays the position like someone who understands how to use every inch of his frame. At over 6’3” and right around 207 pounds, Hurst looks like an NFL boundary receiver the moment he steps on the field. That Senior Bowl weigh-in mattered because it confirmed what the tape already hinted at. This isn’t a thin, finesse receiver trying to survive outside. This is a real X-type body that can hold up against press and physical coverage. How He Wins Hurst doesn’t win with pure speed, and that’s fine. His game is built on timing, leverage, and understanding how to put defenders in bad spots. At the line, he’s calm. He doesn’t rush releases or panic against press. He uses his feet, changes pace, and forces corners to open up. Once he gets into his route, he does a good job staying balanced and sinking his hips, which isn’t always easy for receivers his size. That ability to get in and out of breaks is what creates separation for him, not foot races. On slants, digs, and in-breaking routes, Hurst is especially effective. He uses his body to shield defenders and gives his quarterback a clean target. That’s the kind of receiver coaches trust on third down. Catch Point and Reliability This is where Hurst really separates himself. He’s strong through contact and comfortable catching the ball in traffic. His hands are big, his

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