2017 NFL Draft Reports - Tight Ends

TIGHT ENDS

O.J. Howard, Alabama, #88

Game Film Evaluated:

Kent State (2016)

Texas A&M (2016)

Auburn (2016)

Summary:  Elite athlete and ideal for the position.  He has the frame to outmatch any defender, faster than most cornerbacks and hands like a wide receiver who can block effectively. He has plus footwork to block but lacks strength at the POA to maul defenders off the line. He keeps his feet moving effectively especially in pass protection, he has the feet of an offensive tackle. He can turn the defenders and seal off the edge on run plays.  He has excellent burst off the snap to explode into the secondary and very smooth receiver. He is not a polished receiver, does not have a feel for setting up defenders and running crisp routes. He does not drop passes, he can make the difficult catch and even in traffic. He would of had far more catches had the QB play been better. OJ Howard is the most talented tight end in the class but he has to master the little things for the position as a receiver to take his game to the elite level it should be.  His blocking technique is solid but could use to add some strength to make him a plus blocker in the run game. He is plenty talented enough to get open on his athleticism alone but there is a learning curve to set up defenders and tighten his route running. Late 1st round grade.

Evan Engram, Ole Miss, #17

Game Film Evaluated:

Georgia (2016)

Auburn (2016)

Florida State (2016)

Summary: Impressive high point the ball. Seems to have one bad drop per game especially those away from his body. Inconsistent catcher in traffic, he did not make a lot of catches in traffic and struggled to shield defenders away from the ball. He can bust the seams beating the linebacker and safety to the gap in the middle of the field. He gives effort as a blocker but doesn’t have the bulk, length or feet to be anything more than a below average blocker. He is a physical runner, consistently gains a yard or two after contact. He can move effectively, get in and out of breaks effectively. Not a polished route runner but didn’t have to be in college. He is not explosive as other undersized tight ends such as Jimmy Graham or Vernon Davis. Evan Engram is a solid receiving tight end option who needs to go to a team that doesn’t run the ball a whole lot and likes to pass the ball often out of shotgun and likes to split their tight ends out wide. The Colts offense is a perfect fit for a player like Engram. He will never be a complete tight end nor an elite athletic tight end receiving threat but he will get catches, become a safety valve although he needs to improve his route running to get open vs athletic safeties and backers who can keep up with him. He is a dangerous weapon if he matches up against a backer in space, he will always win that match up. 4th round grade.

Jordan Leggett, Clemson, #16

Game Film Evaluated:

Virginia Tech (2016)

Florida State (2016)

Alabama (2016)

Summary: Poor blocker, very little strength at the POA, does not keep feet moving once engaged. He is athletic and someone who can beat the seams effectively. He has good feel for getting a clean release at the line, able to set up defenders when running downfield. He can make the difficult catch and in traffic. However he will have the occasional drop and then make a spectacular catch. Jordan Leggett is a receiving tight end only who can get open running adequate routes, able to set up defenders, use his hands to get a clean release. He can make tough catches in traffic, even a great catch but suffers from the occasional drop. He needs to improve his blocking to at least average so he can be a full time starter but someone who can get open split out wide and from the in line position. Early 3rd round grade.

Jake Butt, Michigan, #88

Game Film Evaluated:

Ohio State (2016)

Utah (2015)

Indiana (2015)

Summary: Excellent frame, above average blocker. He shows good effort in the blocking game. He has adequate feet and knows how to use them in pass protection. He has adequate athleticism and can get downfield at times. He will struggle to create separation until he improves his route running. He slows down a lot when getting it and out of breaks which is why he rounds off a lot of routes. Adequate safety valve as a receiving threat and he is capable of busting the seams and making catches in the mid area of the defense. Jake Butt is a complete tight end prospect who can assist in pass protection, run blocking from the inside position, make underneath catches and stretch the seams of the defense. However he is not a polished route runner nor a strong blocker, just adequate at this point. I have concerns whether he will be able to create separation when running intermediate routes at the next level, he would be a fine backup tight end for a team that uses a lot of double tight end sets like the Cowboys and Patriots. 4th round grade.

Adam Shaheen, Ashland, #44

Game Film Evaluated:

Wayne State (2016)

Northwood (2016)

Summary: Very big body but moves extremely well. He is fluid and can turn pretty quickly. Not a good route runner at this point, not someone who is comfortable with getting a clean release and beating a press. Doesn’t position himself well against smaller defenders to win contested passes. He dropped a pass that was catchable when he tried to go above his head. He has an extra gear and definite long strider. Very strong hands and quick feet, good footwork in blocking. He can seal off the edge and block comfortable at the second level. His pass blocking is better than run blocking. He lined up a lot in traditional inline positions. Long arms and uses them well when blocking. He can make the difficult catch but did not see contested catches. Adam Shaheen is a interesting prospect with excellent size, frame and length for the position with added athleticism to be a above average receiving option. He brings a traditional tight end playing style who is comfortable blocking on the line of scrimmage, handling linebackers and lineman effectively with strength and footwork. He needs to improve his route running, able to position himself well against defenders in tight spaces to make tough catches. He has speed to become a difficult match up assuming he improves his positioning. The level of competition is poor but his game translates well to the NFL, he just needs to do the little things to maximize that talent he has to become a legit starter in the NFL for a team that uses a inline TE as a balanced blocker and receiver who will run downfield and bust the seams of a defense. Late 3rd round grade.

David Njoku, Miami (FL), #86

Game Film Evaluated:

Pittsburgh (2016)

West Virginia (2016)

Virginia (2016)

Summary: Below average run blocker, good feet and understands footwork. He has long arms and needs to add strength to be at least an average blocker. Shows good feel for route running, crisp in and out of his breaks. He can work his way open for the QB when the play breaks down. Plus athleticism and able to stretch the field vertically to the seams. Positions himself well from the defender and makes the tough catches in traffic. Absolute beast in the redzone. Drops too many passes, perhaps just loses concentration or trying to run before securing the catch but happens too much. Physical blocker, likes to finish his blocks and take his guy to the whistle. David Njoku is one of the most advanced receiving tight end options in the class. He runs like a receiver with the size of a tight end and is a physical runner after the catch. He absolutely destroys the defender near the endzone, safeties wont be able to stick nor linebackers, they will have to dedicate a corner to him with size near the goaline. He has the upside to be a better blocker but he isnt even average yet. He has the mindset and frame with length, just needs to play with stronger hands to keep his man engaged and use his already solid footwork to neutralize his man. There is a lot to like with his game and it all translates well to the next level. He should be one of the top tight ends in the game very soon and if he continues to work on his blocking, one of the more complete tight ends. He has first round receiving ability but falls to the 2nd round grade since his game is not complete yet.

Michael Roberts, Toledo, #80

Game Film Evaluated:

App State (2016)

Summary: Ideal frame with long arms and carries his weight well. He moves very well for his size, he can get upfield effectively, can bust the seams downfield, gets up to speed quickly and get out of breaks well. He is not a comfortable route runner, able to set up defenders or recognize coverage. He shows a feel for getting a clean release at the line. He has good strength and needs to improve his technique in the blocking game but the feet, length and strength is there to project him well. He is a potential player and needs a year or two before he can be a full time contributor but the ability is there. Michael Roberts has the skills to project him to starting material as a athletic tight end option who can block, stretch the field and become a strong safety valve working underneath. He needs to improve route running, learn technique as a blocker. He might really be something by year 3 in the right situation, someone who would really benefit being a backup learning from a veteran and then become an impact player. 4th round grade with significant potential.

Gerald Everett, South Alabama, #12

Game Film Evaluated:

Georgia Southern (2016)

North Carolina State (2015)

Summary: Plus athlete, he looks like a wide receiver in a tight ends body. He moves as fluid as a receiver, he can run downfield with ease with good speed. He can adjust to poorly thrown balls, very good balance able to break tackles and keeps moving after contact. Poor blocker. He can make the difficult catch in traffic. Extremely limited route tree in college. Gerald Everett is another in a long line of former basketball players who attempt to become football players at the tight end position. He possesses all the tools to be a plus receiving tight end who can split out wide and beat virtually any defender in man coverage. He looks a lot like Jimmy Graham with just as much improvement needed as a blocker, he will get beaten consistently in the run game but he can contribute quickly as a receiver. However he is not a polished receiver, he lets defenders cross his face and get between him and the QB. He has got to improve his route running but he has the athleticism to get open on talent against backers and safeties. He can make a team as a 3rd tight end who can split out wide and still get open in space. There is high potential with him but lot of improvement to be made as well. He is more talented than other undersized tight ends in the class but has a lot of room to grow in the rest of his game. Early 4th round grade.

Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech, #7

Game Film Evaluated:

Tennessee (2016)

Pittsburgh (2016)

Boston College (2016)

Summary: Athletic wide receiving in a tight ends body. He moves well and has speed to be utilized in a variety of ways. He was used on speed options as a back and sent on go routes on the perimeter to make plays downfield. He saw very very little time as a traditional tight end inline and busting seams, running routes in the middle of the field. He was much more like a slot receiver who is a below average blocker. Virtually no experience as a inline tight end with his hand on the ground able to run routes. Bucky Hodges is a project player who needs to learn how to play the position as a tight end instead of a wide receiver. He ran only a few routes in college and did not seem to have to read the coverage and make adjustments on the same page as the QB. He projects best to teams that don’t mind poor blocking tight ends and rather just focus on their receiving ability. However Hodges is not a polished receiver nor does he play like a basketball player able to position himself well against defenders. 5th round grade.