Written by: Joseph Yun
Twitter: @ItsDuckinTooYun
With the 2020 NFL Draft creeping ever so closer by the day (it’s finally the week of!), it’s time to take a look at how each position stacks up on the big board. Next up are the tight ends and while it looks like a relatively weak class, there are gems to be found in the later rounds. If you missed the previous articles in the series, they can be found below:
Note: All RAS scores are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte of Pro Football Network (@mathbomb). Blitzalytics grades are a result of a comprehensive grading system within the scouting network.
Note 2: All charts are courtesy of mockdraftable.com
- A modern-day move tight end that was used in a variety of ways at Washington, he has the route tree pretty much down. He possesses great hands and the best ball skills in this year’s tight end class. If teams use him in a slot tight end role, he will make a huge difference there. Just don’t ask him to block inline; he tries to block most of the time but isn’t really effective at it. A good athlete for the position as well. He’s got a little bit of Eric Ebron in him.
BA Grade: 7.42
Round Grade: Second
RAS Score: 5.96
- Trautman checks in as the second tight end on my board, which might be an indictment on the position more than anything. He has all the physical traits you’d want in a tight end but is still developing as a receiver. Trautman comes from Dayton, a small school prospect that’s more known for its basketball program and a First Four site. He didn’t play any receiver until college, so the development track is impressive, especially from his performance at the Senior Bowl. Could he turn into Ed Dickson? Trautman is a near match physically and can be a solid TE2 option for any team.
BA Grade: 7.97
Round Grade: Third
RAS Score: 8.76
- Kmet was going to be one of the most sought after tight ends in the 2021 class until he switched up and declared for the 2020 edition. He won’t blow anyone away speed and agility wise but is more than capable. A willing physical blocker, don’t use him 1-on-1 against defensive ends. He has catcher’s mitts for hands and will catch nearly everything. Production was limited until 2019, so teams will have some questions. Still, the physical traits translate into being a more traditional in-line role for him. He compares physically to future Hall of Fame TE Rob Gronkowski.
BA Grade: 6.71
Round Grade: Fourth
RAS Score: 8.92
4. Josiah Deguara / Cincinnati
- While Deguara won’t be mistaken for Travis Kelce any time soon, he still has enough traits to consider himself a top-five tight end. In fact, he’s probably the most polished blocker in this group. A willing blocker who prides himself on physical toughness no matter the odds, he’s got the verticality of a post-microfracture surgery Amar’e Stoudemire. A dude that just gets open enough to make himself a presentable target most times. A slightly less athletic and lighter MyCole Pruitt, perhaps?
BA Grade: 7.24
Round Grade: Fifth
RAS Score: 8.52
- The son of former Tennessee Titans lineman Brad didn’t inherit his father’s blocking talents. He’s strictly a receiving tight end at this point in his career. Hopkins is really smooth off the line and has a solid understanding of a route tree. He’s an athlete and has the ball skills of a receiver. I see a ton of Lance Kendricks and a little bit of Delanie Walker in his game.
BA Grade: 6.73
Round Grade: Fourth
RAS Score: 8.16
- The reigning Mackey award winner just barely drops out of the top five. To put his blocking charitably, he tries. He is a matchup tight end that can be used in the slot as well as in-line. Bryant has short arms, so he’s not going to be some weapon across the middle in contested catch situations. That said, even with all his warts, he can be a serviceable TE2. Anthony Firkser 2.0?
BA Grade: 7.47
Round Grade: Fourth
RAS Score: 4.66
7. Albert Okwuegbunam / Missouri
- Remember when Albert O was the next great thing at tight end? Yeah, that was short-lived. He’s still a good prospect nonetheless. A 4.55 40 will help his case a ton. He has great hands but isn’t the greatest athlete laterally. He’s a box-out type of tight end that gets open like a traditional big man in basketball. He compares physically to Austin Sefarian-Jenkins.
BA Grade: 7.49
Round Grade: Fifth
RAS Score: N/A
- The son of HOF receiver Randy Moss had a pretty good year to get himself on the draft radar. Like his father, he has great hands and ball skills in open space. The issue is getting there as he isn’t the greatest athlete. Dion Sims? Moss will find a place in the league as a TE2.
BA Grade: 7.4
Round Grade: Fifth
RAS Score: N/A
9. Devin Asiasi / UCLA
- A really underrated tight end for a program that has struggled to get anything going under Chip Kelly. Asiasi broke out as a redshirt junior after two somewhat middling seasons and can be played all over the field, including slot tight end, so versatility is a big plus. He needs to work on blocking, however.
BA Grade: N/A
Round Grade: Sixth
RAS Score: 6.11
10. Jared Pinkney / Vanderbilt
- Pinkney is a BIG dude at 6’4, 257. However, the 40 time is a bit concerning, especially since he won’t shock anyone with a modicum of athleticism. He’s a bull in a china shop though, so that counts for something. Not the most fluid of athletes and kind of linear at best, he does have strong hands, which does work in his favor. The RAS score accurately reflects his lack of athleticism. He will likely find a role as a TE3 somewhere down the line.
BA Grade: 7.01
Round Grade: Sixth
RAS Score: 4.82