If there is a first-round pick at tight end in the 2016 NFL Draft, it’s going to be Hunter Henry of Arkansas. He’s a gifted pass catcher who is a natural athlete in space. He’s not a big lumbering player like some tight ends. He’s a true weapon who can be used on the line of scrimmage or in the slot as a receiver. He can go up and snag the ball, and use his speed to create yards after the catch. He’s likely gone within the first 50 picks of the draft.
2016 NFL Draft tight end rankings: Hunter Henry the only potential high pick
There’s no megastar tight end in this year’s draft, but the depth of the position is solid.
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Nick Vannett of Ohio State is the great unknown ball of potential in the class. The Buckeyes’ offense struggles to incorporate tight ends in a traditional sense, and that led to Vannett having just 55 career receptions. He also started just one season at OSU. But when he was on the field, Vannett was all over the place. At the Senior Bowl, Vannett was able to show he can grab the ball away from his frame and quickly beat defenders for positive yards. He’s adequate as a blocker and really knows how to find holes to sit in against zone coverage.
Austin Hooper is the latest Stanford tight end projected to go in the top 100. He’s a really good blocker and can be used extensively in that area. He’s not the most agile or athletic tight end, but he can get up the field well enough and has solid hands. Arguably no tight end has more untapped athletic potential year than Jerrell Adams of South Carolina. He’s an impressive athlete with size, and it showed in flashes in college. He’s the type of tight end who could be the top player in the class a few years from now if he’s coached up and utilized properly in the NFL.
The best pure blocking tight end in this year’s draft is Henry Krieger Coble of Iowa. That’s nothing to scoff at, either. With a lot of teams using two tight ends, he can hold down a spot next to a tackle and open holes for a running back or slide out in the open to catch short passes.
Day 3 gem: Beau Sandland is an intriguing prospect. The transfer from Miami, he played just a season at Montana State and averaged an incredible 17.1 yards per catch. Athletically, is impressive. His route running can get better, but he has good hands, can stretch the seam and is a solid blocker. If you want another late gem, Stephen Anderson of Cal is interesting. He may be more of an H-back in the NFL because of his size, but a team is going to take him based off his athleticism and figure out what to do with him.
Overall position grade: C-
Other than Henry, this class just doesn’t do much to excite. Vannett could break out, but it’s no guarantee. This class lacks a big difference-making first-round tight end, but the depth is solid.
| 1. Hunter Henry, 6’5, 253 pounds, TE, Arkansas |
| 2. Nick Vannett, 6’6, 260 pounds, TE, Ohio State |
| 3. Austin Hooper, 6’4, 248 pounds, TE, Stanford |
| 4. Jerell Adams, 6’6, 231 pounds, TE, South Carolina |
| 5. Tyler Higbee, 6’6, 250 pounds, TE, Western Kentucky |
| 6. Bryce Williams, 6’6, 258 pounds, TE, East Carolina |
| 7. Beau Sandland, 6’4 1/2, 253 pounds, TE, Montana State |
| 8. Henry Krieger-Coble, 6’4, 250 pounds, TE, Iowa |
| 9. Thomas Duarte, 6’2 1/8, 231 pounds, TE, UCLA |
| 10. Darion Griswold, 6’3, 255 pounds, TE, Arkansas State |
| 11. Stephen Anderson, 6'2, 230 pounds, TE, California |
| 12. Jake McGee, 6’5, 249 pounds, TE, Florida |
| 13. Kyle Carter, 6’3, 252 pounds, TE, Penn State |
| 14. David Grinnage, 6’5, 265 pounds, TE, North Carolina State |
| 15. Braxton Deaver, 6’5, 245 pounds, TE, Duke |
| 16. Ben Braunecker, 6’3, 250 pounds, TE, Harvard |
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