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Pre-Combine NFL Draft rankings: Tight end class lacks star power but not starter-level talent
By Dane Brugler Feb 12, 2020
Over the past three drafts, there have been at least three tight ends drafted in the top 50 each year. Not only will the 2020 draft class snap that streak, but there also might not be one tight end drafted in the top 50 in April.
If the tight ends get shut out of the top 50 picks, it would mark only the second time that has happened over the past 25 years.
Despite not being a top-heavy year for the position, tight end has several intriguing options with starting potential on Days 2 and 3 of draft weekend. Entering the combine, this is how I would rank the top 10:
1. Adam Trautman, Dayton (6-foot-5, 251 pounds, 4.76 40-yard dash)
Williamsburg, Mich. (Elk Rapids), redshirt senior. Age: 23.22 (calculated to nearest 100th on draft day)
A four-year starter at Dayton, Trautman was the “Y” tight end in the Flyers’ shotgun spread offense, lining up primarily detached and out wide. He leaves Dayton as the program’s all-time leading receiver, which is noteworthy considering he spent the first 19 years of his life as a quarterback and his first reception for the Flyers (September 2016) was his first catch in a football game in his life.
Trautman is a fluid big man, and his basketball background shows at the catch point with his ability to adjust and attack. His routes need fine-tuning and his blocking is based more on effort than technical understanding right now, although he doesn’t lack in intensity or effort in either category. Overall, Trautman doesn’t have the body of work versus top-level competition, but his athleticism and pass-catching traits for a player his size make him a highly intriguing prospect, projecting as a player who should crack the starting lineup as an NFL rookie.
All-22 takeaway: Trautman’s route athleticism is a key reason for his TE1 status entering the combine. Lined up inline at the top of the formation against Indiana State, he uses a quick release to enter his route and a clean stick at the stem to give his quarterback an open target. His impressive body control not only shows mid-pattern but also at the catch point, reaching behind him to finish with the ball thrown at the wrong shoulder. Trautman needs to tighten up his route movements, but the functional athleticism is what will entice NFL teams early on Day 2.
2. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame (6-6, 255, 4.69)
Lake Barrington, Ill. (St. Viator), junior. Age: 21.12
A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Kmet was the starting tight end in head coach Brian Kelly’s pro-style scheme, splitting his snaps inline, on the wing and detached. Following in the footsteps of players like Golden Tate and Jeff Samardzija, he is the latest Notre Dame product who split his time between baseball and football in South Bend, choosing the NFL over MLB, like Tate.
Kmet is an easy player to like on and off the field, with outstanding ball skills and body control to dominate the catch point. While he must continue learning the details of route-running and blocking, he has never played only one sport, so year-round dedication to football will certainly accelerate his development. Overall, Kmet is a dependable and physically impressive pass-catcher who doesn’t have a deal-breaking weakness to his game, projecting as an NFL-ready “Y” target similar to Jason Witten when he was coming out of Tennessee.
3. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic (6-5, 242, 4.77)
Gray, Ga. (John Milledge), senior. Age: 22.00
A three-year starter at Florida Atlantic, Bryant lined up at “F” tight end in head coach Lane Kiffin’s spread offense, occasionally seeing snaps inline but mostly detached. He led all FBS tight ends in receptions and receiving yards as a senior and became the first tight end from a non-Power 5 program to win the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end.
Bryant is an athletic receiver with the agility and ball skills to be productive in the quick game (slants, hooks, etc.) or down the seam. He is an efficient, try-hard competitor as a move blocker but doesn’t have the power to face off against NFL defensive linemen on the edge. Overall, Bryant doesn’t have ideal bulk or power for the position, but he is a versatile pass-catcher with the savvy routes and adjustment skills to handle “F” tight end duties in an NFL offense.
All-22 takeaway: Bryant feasted on Conference USA defenders all season, but he also got the job done against Ohio State, the clear best opponent on FAU’s 2019 schedule. Lined up in the slot on the far hash, he uses a simple inside-out shake to stack and get over top the safety. Bryant then showed off his catch-point skills and finishing toughness, completing the reception with the defender in his face. Plays like this are why he has a legitimate chance of sneaking into the top 100 picks.
4. Hunter Bryant, Washington (6-2, 244, 4.63)
Issaquah, Wash. (Eastside Catholic), junior. Age: 21.68
A two-year starter at Washington, Bryant lined up across the formation in Chris Petersen’s shotgun spread offense, doing most of his damage out of the slot. He battled two serious knee injuries over his first two seasons for the Huskies, missing 12 games, but he stayed healthy and productive in Year 3, finishing No. 2 in school history in career receiving yards (1,394) by a tight end.
With his speed and run balance, Bryant is a dynamic threat before and after the catch, making it tough for single tacklers to ground him in space. While he shows athletic ball skills, he is a low-percentage finisher with crowded catch points. As a blocker, he struggles to sustain and shouldn’t be expected to handle inline duties. Overall, Bryant is a low-ceiling blocker and could use a few more credits in receiving school, but his plus athletic traits as a pass-catcher make him a potential mismatch “move” tight end if the medicals are clean.
5. Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri (6-4, 264, 4.76)
Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart Griffin), redshirt junior. Age: 21.99
A three-year starter at Missouri, Okwuegbunam lined up inline, in the slot and outside as a wideout in offensive coordinator Derek Dooley’s offense. He finished his career second in school history with 23 receiving touchdowns (23.5 percent of his career catches), although his final receiving production didn’t match the hype of his redshirt freshman season, partly due to injuries.
Okwuegbunam plays loose but lacks urgency and won’t surprise NFL defenders with his lackluster burst at the top of routes. While he stays balanced as a blocker, he needs to utilize better techniques to tap into his power and generate movement in the run game. Overall, Okwuegbunam leaves you wanting more on tape, but he has a projectable body with the talent to win his share of one-on-one’s and get the job done as a point-of-attack blocker.
6. Devin Asiasi, UCLA (6-4, 256, 4.76)
Shoreview, Calif. (De La Salle), redshirt junior. Age: 22.69
A one-year starter at UCLA, Asiasi was the starting “Y” tight end in head coach Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense, lining up primarily inline to the boundary. After a reserve season at Michigan and another year sitting out as a transfer, he spent 2018 backing up Caleb Wilson before taking over as the starter in 2019, finishing second on the team in receiving.
There isn’t much deception or diversity to his route tree (mostly digs, outs, posts on tape), but Asiasi moves well and presents a window for his quarterback. Although he isn’t shy banging as a blocker, he needs to be more of an aggressor in the run game. Overall, Asiasi doesn’t have the traits that scream playmaker, but he is well rounded with the steady ball skills and blocking chops to earn a roster spot and fight his way up the depth chart.
All-22 takeaway: There isn’t anything particularly special about this clip, but that is why I chose to feature it. There is nothing particularly special about Asiasi, but he carries his weight well in his routes and adjusts well to throws outside his frame — like on his post play against Oklahoma. This is one of 14 receptions of 20-plus yards that he collected over his two years for the Bruins. Although he might not be receiving a ton of draft hype, Asiasi could emerge as a down-the-road starter in the NFL because of his well-rounded game.
7. Colby Parkinson, Stanford (6-6, 244, 4.74)
Simi Valley, Calif. (Oaks Christian), junior. Age: 21.29
A two-year starter at Stanford, Parkinson was the starting tight end in head coach David Shaw’s pro-style scheme, lining up inline, slot and outside. With JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Trenton Irwin and Kaden Smith off to the NFL, Parkinson was the team’s top returning target in 2019, but with the absence of other offensive playmakers, defenses were able to limit his role (Stanford ranked 97th in the FBS in total offense).
A “freak of an athlete” according to Shaw, Parkinson has the route speed to win down the seam and the focus to isolate and pluck the football away from his body. He is a fluid pass-catcher with soft hands, but those soft hands also show up in his blocking, lacking the sustain strength for steady inline work. Overall, Parkinson is a predictable route-runner and mediocre blocker, but his speed, length and ball skills are desirable traits, projecting as an athletic possession target in the slot.
8. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt (6-4, 254, 4.78)
Norcross, Ga. (Norcross), redshirt senior. Age: 22.67
A three-year starter at Vanderbilt, Pinkney was the “Y” tight end in former offensive coordinator Gerry Gdowski’s scheme. After his productive junior season, he was graded as the top senior tight end prospect by several NFL teams, but he was vastly underutilized in 2019, averaging only 3.9 targets per game, and both of his touchdowns came versus East Tennessee State.
Pinkney displays good balance and body control for the position to work over the linebackers and create small windows of separation. However, he struggles to set up defensive backs and needs to be more aggressive in his routes and as a blocker to earn consistent snaps in the NFL. Overall, Pinkney has limitations in his blocking and doesn’t have explosive traits as a pass-catcher, but he is a smooth athlete with reliable ball skills to be a capable three-level target in the NFL, projecting as a borderline starter.
9. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue (6-4, 241, 4.80)
Nashville, Tenn. (Ensworth), redshirt senior. Age: 23.07
A two-year starter at Purdue, Hopkins was the “Y” tight end in head coach Jeff Brohm’s offense, lining up inline and detached. After flashing as an underclassman, he emerged as a more reliable option in the offense as a senior, finishing second in the FBS in catches and receiving yards among tight ends.
Hopkins has the size and speed of an oversized receiver, showing fluid cuts and enough juice to run past safeties. However, his awareness and finishing skills are still a work in progress at the position with a limited ceiling as a blocker. Overall, Hopkins doesn’t have the body power required for inline work, and he is still learning the details of route-running, but his foot speed and upside are worth the gamble in the middle rounds as an “F” tight end.
10. Thaddeus Moss, LSU (6-3, 248, 4.75)
Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek), redshirt junior. Age: 21.94
A one-year starter at LSU, Moss was the starting “Y” tight end in offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s offense, lining up inline and detached. He set LSU single-season records for catches and receiving yards at the tight end position in 2019, although a high percentage of his catches came on uncovered underneath patterns.
Moss displays athletic movement skills to stay smooth in and out of the drive phase, fluidly adjusting to throws. As a blocker, he is physical and works hard to sustain or throw a shoulder, but he is more likely to end up on the ground than put a defender on the ground. Overall, Moss is a get-in-the-way blocker with the athletic catch-point skills to be a steady short-to-intermediate target in the NFL, but his average speed and limitations should temper expectations.
By Dane Brugler Feb 12, 2020
Over the past three drafts, there have been at least three tight ends drafted in the top 50 each year. Not only will the 2020 draft class snap that streak, but there also might not be one tight end drafted in the top 50 in April.
If the tight ends get shut out of the top 50 picks, it would mark only the second time that has happened over the past 25 years.
Despite not being a top-heavy year for the position, tight end has several intriguing options with starting potential on Days 2 and 3 of draft weekend. Entering the combine, this is how I would rank the top 10:
1. Adam Trautman, Dayton (6-foot-5, 251 pounds, 4.76 40-yard dash)
Williamsburg, Mich. (Elk Rapids), redshirt senior. Age: 23.22 (calculated to nearest 100th on draft day)
A four-year starter at Dayton, Trautman was the “Y” tight end in the Flyers’ shotgun spread offense, lining up primarily detached and out wide. He leaves Dayton as the program’s all-time leading receiver, which is noteworthy considering he spent the first 19 years of his life as a quarterback and his first reception for the Flyers (September 2016) was his first catch in a football game in his life.
Trautman is a fluid big man, and his basketball background shows at the catch point with his ability to adjust and attack. His routes need fine-tuning and his blocking is based more on effort than technical understanding right now, although he doesn’t lack in intensity or effort in either category. Overall, Trautman doesn’t have the body of work versus top-level competition, but his athleticism and pass-catching traits for a player his size make him a highly intriguing prospect, projecting as a player who should crack the starting lineup as an NFL rookie.
All-22 takeaway: Trautman’s route athleticism is a key reason for his TE1 status entering the combine. Lined up inline at the top of the formation against Indiana State, he uses a quick release to enter his route and a clean stick at the stem to give his quarterback an open target. His impressive body control not only shows mid-pattern but also at the catch point, reaching behind him to finish with the ball thrown at the wrong shoulder. Trautman needs to tighten up his route movements, but the functional athleticism is what will entice NFL teams early on Day 2.
2. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame (6-6, 255, 4.69)
Lake Barrington, Ill. (St. Viator), junior. Age: 21.12
A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Kmet was the starting tight end in head coach Brian Kelly’s pro-style scheme, splitting his snaps inline, on the wing and detached. Following in the footsteps of players like Golden Tate and Jeff Samardzija, he is the latest Notre Dame product who split his time between baseball and football in South Bend, choosing the NFL over MLB, like Tate.
Kmet is an easy player to like on and off the field, with outstanding ball skills and body control to dominate the catch point. While he must continue learning the details of route-running and blocking, he has never played only one sport, so year-round dedication to football will certainly accelerate his development. Overall, Kmet is a dependable and physically impressive pass-catcher who doesn’t have a deal-breaking weakness to his game, projecting as an NFL-ready “Y” target similar to Jason Witten when he was coming out of Tennessee.
3. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic (6-5, 242, 4.77)
Gray, Ga. (John Milledge), senior. Age: 22.00
A three-year starter at Florida Atlantic, Bryant lined up at “F” tight end in head coach Lane Kiffin’s spread offense, occasionally seeing snaps inline but mostly detached. He led all FBS tight ends in receptions and receiving yards as a senior and became the first tight end from a non-Power 5 program to win the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end.
Bryant is an athletic receiver with the agility and ball skills to be productive in the quick game (slants, hooks, etc.) or down the seam. He is an efficient, try-hard competitor as a move blocker but doesn’t have the power to face off against NFL defensive linemen on the edge. Overall, Bryant doesn’t have ideal bulk or power for the position, but he is a versatile pass-catcher with the savvy routes and adjustment skills to handle “F” tight end duties in an NFL offense.
All-22 takeaway: Bryant feasted on Conference USA defenders all season, but he also got the job done against Ohio State, the clear best opponent on FAU’s 2019 schedule. Lined up in the slot on the far hash, he uses a simple inside-out shake to stack and get over top the safety. Bryant then showed off his catch-point skills and finishing toughness, completing the reception with the defender in his face. Plays like this are why he has a legitimate chance of sneaking into the top 100 picks.
4. Hunter Bryant, Washington (6-2, 244, 4.63)
Issaquah, Wash. (Eastside Catholic), junior. Age: 21.68
A two-year starter at Washington, Bryant lined up across the formation in Chris Petersen’s shotgun spread offense, doing most of his damage out of the slot. He battled two serious knee injuries over his first two seasons for the Huskies, missing 12 games, but he stayed healthy and productive in Year 3, finishing No. 2 in school history in career receiving yards (1,394) by a tight end.
With his speed and run balance, Bryant is a dynamic threat before and after the catch, making it tough for single tacklers to ground him in space. While he shows athletic ball skills, he is a low-percentage finisher with crowded catch points. As a blocker, he struggles to sustain and shouldn’t be expected to handle inline duties. Overall, Bryant is a low-ceiling blocker and could use a few more credits in receiving school, but his plus athletic traits as a pass-catcher make him a potential mismatch “move” tight end if the medicals are clean.
5. Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri (6-4, 264, 4.76)
Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart Griffin), redshirt junior. Age: 21.99
A three-year starter at Missouri, Okwuegbunam lined up inline, in the slot and outside as a wideout in offensive coordinator Derek Dooley’s offense. He finished his career second in school history with 23 receiving touchdowns (23.5 percent of his career catches), although his final receiving production didn’t match the hype of his redshirt freshman season, partly due to injuries.
Okwuegbunam plays loose but lacks urgency and won’t surprise NFL defenders with his lackluster burst at the top of routes. While he stays balanced as a blocker, he needs to utilize better techniques to tap into his power and generate movement in the run game. Overall, Okwuegbunam leaves you wanting more on tape, but he has a projectable body with the talent to win his share of one-on-one’s and get the job done as a point-of-attack blocker.
6. Devin Asiasi, UCLA (6-4, 256, 4.76)
Shoreview, Calif. (De La Salle), redshirt junior. Age: 22.69
A one-year starter at UCLA, Asiasi was the starting “Y” tight end in head coach Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense, lining up primarily inline to the boundary. After a reserve season at Michigan and another year sitting out as a transfer, he spent 2018 backing up Caleb Wilson before taking over as the starter in 2019, finishing second on the team in receiving.
There isn’t much deception or diversity to his route tree (mostly digs, outs, posts on tape), but Asiasi moves well and presents a window for his quarterback. Although he isn’t shy banging as a blocker, he needs to be more of an aggressor in the run game. Overall, Asiasi doesn’t have the traits that scream playmaker, but he is well rounded with the steady ball skills and blocking chops to earn a roster spot and fight his way up the depth chart.
All-22 takeaway: There isn’t anything particularly special about this clip, but that is why I chose to feature it. There is nothing particularly special about Asiasi, but he carries his weight well in his routes and adjusts well to throws outside his frame — like on his post play against Oklahoma. This is one of 14 receptions of 20-plus yards that he collected over his two years for the Bruins. Although he might not be receiving a ton of draft hype, Asiasi could emerge as a down-the-road starter in the NFL because of his well-rounded game.
7. Colby Parkinson, Stanford (6-6, 244, 4.74)
Simi Valley, Calif. (Oaks Christian), junior. Age: 21.29
A two-year starter at Stanford, Parkinson was the starting tight end in head coach David Shaw’s pro-style scheme, lining up inline, slot and outside. With JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Trenton Irwin and Kaden Smith off to the NFL, Parkinson was the team’s top returning target in 2019, but with the absence of other offensive playmakers, defenses were able to limit his role (Stanford ranked 97th in the FBS in total offense).
A “freak of an athlete” according to Shaw, Parkinson has the route speed to win down the seam and the focus to isolate and pluck the football away from his body. He is a fluid pass-catcher with soft hands, but those soft hands also show up in his blocking, lacking the sustain strength for steady inline work. Overall, Parkinson is a predictable route-runner and mediocre blocker, but his speed, length and ball skills are desirable traits, projecting as an athletic possession target in the slot.
8. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt (6-4, 254, 4.78)
Norcross, Ga. (Norcross), redshirt senior. Age: 22.67
A three-year starter at Vanderbilt, Pinkney was the “Y” tight end in former offensive coordinator Gerry Gdowski’s scheme. After his productive junior season, he was graded as the top senior tight end prospect by several NFL teams, but he was vastly underutilized in 2019, averaging only 3.9 targets per game, and both of his touchdowns came versus East Tennessee State.
Pinkney displays good balance and body control for the position to work over the linebackers and create small windows of separation. However, he struggles to set up defensive backs and needs to be more aggressive in his routes and as a blocker to earn consistent snaps in the NFL. Overall, Pinkney has limitations in his blocking and doesn’t have explosive traits as a pass-catcher, but he is a smooth athlete with reliable ball skills to be a capable three-level target in the NFL, projecting as a borderline starter.
9. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue (6-4, 241, 4.80)
Nashville, Tenn. (Ensworth), redshirt senior. Age: 23.07
A two-year starter at Purdue, Hopkins was the “Y” tight end in head coach Jeff Brohm’s offense, lining up inline and detached. After flashing as an underclassman, he emerged as a more reliable option in the offense as a senior, finishing second in the FBS in catches and receiving yards among tight ends.
Hopkins has the size and speed of an oversized receiver, showing fluid cuts and enough juice to run past safeties. However, his awareness and finishing skills are still a work in progress at the position with a limited ceiling as a blocker. Overall, Hopkins doesn’t have the body power required for inline work, and he is still learning the details of route-running, but his foot speed and upside are worth the gamble in the middle rounds as an “F” tight end.
10. Thaddeus Moss, LSU (6-3, 248, 4.75)
Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek), redshirt junior. Age: 21.94
A one-year starter at LSU, Moss was the starting “Y” tight end in offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s offense, lining up inline and detached. He set LSU single-season records for catches and receiving yards at the tight end position in 2019, although a high percentage of his catches came on uncovered underneath patterns.
Moss displays athletic movement skills to stay smooth in and out of the drive phase, fluidly adjusting to throws. As a blocker, he is physical and works hard to sustain or throw a shoulder, but he is more likely to end up on the ground than put a defender on the ground. Overall, Moss is a get-in-the-way blocker with the athletic catch-point skills to be a steady short-to-intermediate target in the NFL, but his average speed and limitations should temper expectations.