TIGHT END
TOP 5 QB VIDEO
1
Bryce Young
2
CJ Stroud
3
Hendon Hooker
4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5
Jaren Hall
1
Colston Loveland
TE | MICHIGAN | 6’5 | 245
Strengths: Loveland is a big and mobile tight end with a prototype frame. He’s athletic, long, and moves well in space. Loveland is a versatile piece who can be lined up anywhere. He is a smooth mover who can get in and out of his breaks to create separation. Loveland has a good feel for sitting in zones Weaknesses: I’d like to see him utilize his size and be more physical through contact. His hands are adequate, but he’s not a magnet. Loveland can get a little high-cut at times, I’d like to see him play with more punch Bottom Line: Loveland has the size, technical skills, and athleticism to be a very solid starting TE in the NFL.
Grade: Round 1
Tyler Eifert
2
Tyler Warren
TE | PENN ST. | 6’6 | 257
Strengths: Warren is an absolutely enormous TE with good college production. He is super versatile, taking snaps from every alignment, and winning in different ways. Warren is vicious after the catch, being nearly impossible to take down when he gets going. Warren has excellent hands and is extremely effective in contested-catch/traffic situations Weaknesses: Warren is a little sluggish as a route-runner, he’s not very twitchy and will win more with physicality and leverage Bottom Line: If he’s drafted to a more unique and effective system, Warren will have the chance to be a fun playmaker in the NFL. But fit will matter.
Grade: Round 2
N/A
3
Harold Fannin Jr.
TE | BOWLING GREEN | 6’4 | 230
Strengths: Fannin Jr. is an athletic and dynamic TE with elite college production. He looks like a big WR on the field and really moves well in space. Fannin Jr. is a solid route-runner with good hands. He has an impressive catch to attack mentality. Fannin Jr. is one of the more unique prospects we’ve seen at the position Weaknesses: He lacks the frame and size that NFL teams typically want to see at the position. Fannin Jr. isn’t going to give you much as a blocker. Although he moves very well, you’d like him to be even more athletic for his play-style Bottom Line: Fit will be everything for Fannin Jr., but he has the potential to be a productive pass-catcher in the NFL.
Grade: Round 2
Jonnu Smith
4
Mason Taylor
TE | LSU | 6’5 | 255
Strengths: Taylor is a rugged yet athletic TE with likeable traits. He has good size with a filled out frame. Taylor is a natural and smooth mover who can get in and out of his breaks effectively. He works well in traffic and plays with a ton of strength and horsepower. Taylor seems to know what he’s doing on the field, with a good sense and IQ Weaknesses: Taylor’s route-tree is nothing special and he’s not going to create too much natural separation. Additionally, sometimes he can get a little high-cut as a blocker Bottom Line: Taylor has the tools and instincts to become an NFL contributor at TE.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
5
Gunnar Helm
TE | TEXAS | 6’5 | 250
Strengths: Helm is a reliable and consistent tight end. He has a well-balanced an filled out frame. Helm is a solid pass-blocker, but will need to become more violent and increase his functional strength. He has good spatial awareness and understands how to quickly provide relief in the short-passing game. Helm is very reliable at the catch point and looks comfortable in traffic Weaknesses: Helm is not a burner by any means. He’s an adequate mover, but won’t create much natural separation Bottom Line: Helm is a reliable and well-rounded on-field presence who can become a solid TE in the NFL.
Grade: Round 3
Hunter Henry
6
Jake Briningstool
TE | CLEMSON | 6’6 | 240
Strengths: Briningstool is a long and athletic TE. He has great acceleration for his size, and can build up speed down the field. Briningstool is a seam threat who can create mismatches with his length and be a redzone nightmare Weaknesses: Briningstool is a little lean and will need to add mass at the next level. He’s not going to give you much as a traditional in-line blocker Bottom Line: Briningstool has the tools and ability to become a productive pass-catching depth TE in the NFL.
Grade: Round 4
Mike Gesicki
7
Oronde Gadsen II
TE | SYRACUSE | 6’5 | 236
Strengths: Gadsen II is a long and unique TE. He has a very large catch radius and knows how to effectively win at the catch point. Gadsen II is a smooth glider with good footwork. He can shake defenders at the top of his route and create separation with his built up speed Weaknesses: Gadsen II is very slim and won’t provide much as an inline blocker. He’s not overly twitchy and doesn’t play with much horsepower Bottom Line: Fit will be everything here. He’s a fun player who can make plays if schemed up properly.
Grade: Round 4
Evan Engram
8
Elijah Arroyo
TE | MIAMI | 6’4 | 245
Strengths: Arroyo is a versatile TE who looks more like a big WR. He’s a smooth and loose athlete who can make plays in space and challenge defenses vertically. Arroyo has a good catch to attack mentality, and is able to gain extra yardage in YAC situations Weaknesses: Arroyo had an ACL injury , complicating his evaluation. He’s not overly physical, and can sometimes be a bit of an upright runner Bottom Line: Arroyo is a fun piece that has the athleticism to be schemed up well in a unique system.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
9
Terrance Ferguson
TE | OREGON | 6’5 | 255
Strengths: Ferguson is a well-proportioned TE. He has the mass to his frame, but also looks long and athletic. Ferguson shows the versatility to play in multiple alignments, and is a willing blocker who is happy to do what he’s asked Weaknesses: Ferguson’s functional strength is a question for me. He’s not overly athletic and his routes are more rounded then crisp Bottom Line: Ferguson has the frame and IQ to be rotational piece in a good system.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
10
Jackson Hawes
TE | GEORGIA TECH | 6’5 | 260
Strengths: Hawes is a strong and reliable TE. His main draw is his ability to block. Hawes has a big frame and great functional strength. He’s able to move out in space and get to the second-level, allowing him to contribute in a more complex and spatial blocking scheme Weaknesses: Hawes is not going to give you much as a pass-catcher. His production and skillset is limited in that area Bottom Line: In a more unique scheme, Hawes could be a nice addition as a primarily blocking TE2.