Jarryd Hayne might soon be a featured player in Chip Kelly’s run-first offense with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Australian converted Rugby League star has all the athletic and instinctual tools to become an NFL firecracker, but last year was a humbling experience. The speed of the game and newness of the sport, along with trying to learn an NFL playbook for the first time ever, became overwhelming to him.
Not surprisingly, he ended up taking on a lesser role as the season progressed. There were some notable moments, though, that have 49ers fans drooling at his potential.
One of his biggest fans is 49ers Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President Paraag Marathe, who expects a “big jump” from Hayne this upcoming season.
“I think you’ll see a jump from him,” said Marathe, per Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News. “You look at elite athletes and those guys who have that willpower and desire to succeed and there’s something special in them.”
Hayne certainly did plenty of special things during his Rugby League days in Australia. He has a natural grace and effortless movement that produces jaw-dropping moments on the playing field.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yItnEVoD0VQ
NFL fans were privy to this during the preseason when Hayne looked like the next coming of Roger Craig.
He has great hands, knows how to make defenders miss, has the power to gain yards after contact and the burst to pop through a small hole for huge gains.
If Hayne has actually gotten past the learning stage and can start to play the game of American football as effortlessly as he did rugby, then he will have a “big jump” this year with the 49ers.
Where Hayne could make an impact is on special teams as a return man and coverage demon on the other side. He could also be a spark off the bench as a third-down back, given his ability to haul in catches as well as any tight end or receiver.