2024 NFL Draft: TE & FB Rankings
TE Rankings:
1
Brock Bowers
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 243 lbs
Strengths:
Bowers is a dynamic offensive weapon who coaches will be able to use in a variety of ways on the football field. Yards after the catch are what stand out the most, and he might be the best I’ve seen in this regard, from a TE. The combination of burst, speed, and power that he generates almost instantly is unbelievable. With these kinds of traits, he was used often on quick screens when lined up in the slot or out wide. Similarly, TE screens yielded some success. His ability to take it to the house on any play, at any time, is rare for his position. This skill set also allowed him to have plenty of success running jet sweeps. Bowers is also a terrific weapon when used down the field. His speed makes him tough to cover, and he does well to identify soft spots in zone coverage. Against press, teams have little success trying to jam him, as he is usually able to fight it off quite nicely. Bowers doesn’t have elite length, but his vertical leap does make up for this, to a certain extent. He does well to reach the absolute max of his catch radius to haul in difficult catches over top of defenders. Catching the football, he is strong with his hands, not relying on his body to trap the ball, unless the positioning of the pass makes it a necessity. Bowers frame is built decently well. Certainly enough to handle downfield duties as a receiver. But there has also been enough there for him to make an impact as a blocker. Though not perfect, he should be able to show even more improvement as he gains strength at the next level. The amount of effort he puts in as a blocker is evident, and this has also been a big part of what he has been able to do in this area.
Weaknesses:
For a prospect of Bowers’ calibre, the points made in this section can often be considered nit picking. But nevertheless, there are things he can work on. It was touched on earlier, but adding strength and filling out a bit more will help him sustain better as a blocker. He does well sometimes, but at other times, he can get knocked off balance by his opponent’s first strike. From a traits perspective, the athleticism is great, and strength shouldn’t be an issue at the next level. However, for an elite prospect, he is lacking when it comes to length. His effort to elevate does negate some of this, but with better length, he would pose as an even tougher matchup at the next level. Bowers generally does well to create separation, but his route running can sometimes be a bit rounded, making his routes less effective than they could be. I’d like to see more consistency in this area. As well, there were a couple more drops in my exposures than I was expecting going in. Most were just concentration based, something that he should be able to limit at the next level.
Summary:
Bowers is an elite TE prospect, one of the best that has entered the draft in quite some time. Though he doesn’t have elite length, his vertical ability is still very good, as he can elevate high enough to still be a big mismatch through the air. His strong hands are also an asset, while his ability to pick up yards after the catch is simply crazy for a TE. He has already put some solid reps as a blocker on tape, and should be able to improve with time. Bowers projects as an elite, all around TE that will thrive in the slot, but can also play in-line at the next level.
| Grade: 91.8 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Ja’Tavion Sanders
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 245 lbs
Strengths:
Sanders is a high end athlete at the TE position with the ability to make significant contributions to a team’s passing attack. His speed and agility allow him to create separation on a consistent basis. And it doesn’t just happen against LB’s. He beats safeties and even CB’s in some instances when he lines up out wide. Sanders is a tough player and can hold on to the ball while taking a hard hit. He plays through contact well, even during his route, and does well to elevate and make contested catches when the situation requires him to do so. Sanders is a weapon with the ball in his hands after the catch. He has speed that can allow him to break away from some defenders, and the agility to create space for himself and make people miss. As a blocker, his best work comes in space where he is able to go up against smaller members of the secondary. He has the movement skills to hit moving targets and open things up for the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
When talking about weaknesses for Sanders, most people will have his blocking at the top of the list. At this point, he just isn’t that effective in a phone booth, usually hoping, at best, for a stalemate. But a lot of the time, he does get pushed back when going up against stronger players. His strength will need to improve in order to stay on the field as much as possible. Otherwise, he risks losing playing time to niche players who can block. His size is nothing special, and that is even beyond his bulk. Height is also a bit on the low side. But it’s workable. He meets at least the baseline thresholds. On the pass catching side of things, I think Sanders can clean up his route running a little. No glaring issue or anything, but his routes can be a bit rounded from time to time.
Summary:
Sanders is a receiving TE with the ability to make plays from any alignment. He has an athletic advantage over LB’s and some safeties, while his ability to extend out for the ball makes things even tougher for the defence. His contested ability combined with his athleticism makes for a dangerous combination. Sanders is a hands catcher, and doesn’t drop a ton of passes. With his leaner frame and issues as a blocker, many are pegging him exclusively as a receiving TE, or essentially, a “big slot.” I do think this should be his primary role. However, I wouldn’t quite rule out some involvement as a blocker too. He will need to get stronger and iron out some kinks in that area of his game. But I do think he is capable of at least being serviceable as a blocker. In any event, Sanders should have a number of teams after him for his talent as a pass catcher.
| Grade: 83.3 | Round Grade: 2nd |
3
Theo Johnson
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 259 lbs
Strengths:
Johnson is a big TE with a pretty well rounded skill set, allowing him to be a complete TE in any offence. Penn State certainly took advantage of this, lining him up in-line, in the slot, at H-Back, and out wide. He did it all. Though his arm length isn’t great for his size, his height still gives him a big catch radius. Johnson can elevate over defenders and make tough contested catches. He has shown the ability to hold on to the ball through contact. Johnson has a big frame, which is useful when he needs to tough out a couple extra yards to pick up the 1st down. His size also makes him an asset as a blocker. I wouldn’t say he is overwhelming opponents, but he’ll improve as he gains strength. But even at this point, he does well to create push in the run game, and sustain his blocks in pass protection. He also blocks pretty well in space.
Weaknesses:
Johnson tested well at the combine, but I would say his athleticism is more limited than the testing suggests. He shows good short area explosion, but lacks the twitch to create consistent separation against athletic LB’s. I wonder if these limitations will cause his route tree to be more basic at the pro level. Sharp breaks are sometimes tough for him, and can cause him to lose balance. As a result, more of his damage will have to be done in contested situations. As well, his straight line speed is alright, but he seems to lack that extra gear to draw off. Again, the combine testing looks great, but I am choosing to go with the tape in this instance.
Summary:
Johnson is a big TE with the size and catch radius to threaten down the field by making contested catches. His ability as a receiver, coupled with his strong blocking, makes him a candidate to become a complete TE at the next level. While he can help a team as a receiver and a blocker, his game is not without limitations. His lack of twitch shows up in his route running, and when he has the ball in his hands. This issue makes me question how much separation he’ll be able to create at the next level. Johnson can still do damage with his contested catches, and I fully expect him to. Even with some limitations, Johnson has the makings of a starting TE that is used in a variety of situations.
| Grade: 79.8 | Round Grade: 3rd |
4
Tanner McLachlan
School: Arizona
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 244 lbs
Strengths:
McLachlan is someone who can immediately bring productivity as a receiver to an offence. His strong hands are on display when he makes tough leaping catches over the middle. He is a hands catcher, not a body catcher. McLachlan does well to pluck the ball out of the air and then tuck it. Despite not having the longest arms, he has a good catch radius, which is aided by his height. McLachlan has consistently shown able to elevate over defenders for the ball. He also does well to make catches in traffic. McLachlan brings good speed to the table. He is fast enough and quick enough to create separation down the field. Yards after the catch aren’t his calling card, but he is capable. As a blocker, he does show some flashes. Willingness is definitely there, and there are occasions where he can seal up the edge or protect the QB. He usually handles DB’s just fine.
Weaknesses:
Play strength is the area where McLachlan will have to improve the most. Doing so, in turn, should lead to improvement in several other areas. There are instances where defenders are able to out-physical him at the top of routes. This causes significant disruption, and in some cases, eliminates him from the play. Added strength and bulk will also be required for him to have success blocking at the next level. He has that baseline skill set, and now it is about developing the physical tools. Getting stronger should help him create more push and hold his anchor in pass protection longer. Sticking with his blocking, he is alright blocking in space, but I thought there were times he could have taken better angles.
Summary:
McLachlan has the upside to be a high end starting TE in the NFL. He already has the tools to contribute as a receiver, thanks to his strong hands, catch radius, and athleticism. The flashes have been there as a blocker. But his frame is lean at this point. Getting stronger will hopefully allow him to maintain a higher level of consistency as a blocker, while also improving certain aspects of his game as a pass catcher. If he can keep his development going on an upward slope, the potential is there for McLachlan to be an impact player at TE, from both the slot and the in-line position.`
| Grade: 76.3 | Round Grade: 3rd |
5
Cade Stover
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 247 lbs
Strengths:
Stover presents teams with a decent blend of receiving and blocking skills, and seems like he has the chance to be a relatively complete TE at the next level. As a receiver, he stands out in contested situations. He is not afraid to battle through contact to make a catch, and he is able to elevate over defenders to come away with the ball. Stover displays strong hands at the catch point and is a hands catcher, rather than someone who often traps it with his body. As a blocker, you see the baseline skill set that he can bring with him to the next level to use as a foundation to build on. Though he doesn’t have the biggest frame, he got more power than I was expecting into some of his blocks, and his anchor was relatively decent.
Weaknesses:
Stover is an average athlete on tape. He has decent fluidity, but lacks the speed or quickness to create much separation on his routes. As a result, he is someone who has, and will continue to rely more heavily on making contested catches. His lack of dynamic speed further stifles his ability to pick up yards after the catch. That’s not to say he can’t get what’s in front of him, but he won’t be creating space for himself or drawing away from defenders. Stover is good in contested situations, for someone who will be relying on it so heavily, I wish he had a bit more length. As a blocker, Stover has shown promise. But he will need to bulk up a bit more and add strength in order to compete with tough competition at the NFL level.
Summary:
Stover is someone who can bring ability as a receiver and blocker to an offence. I see him starting off probably as a TE2 early on, and perhaps as he refines his game, he can grab hold of a starting spot. Stover is good in contested situations, and his strong hands give him a relatively high floor as a receiver. However, limited size and athleticism will put a cap on the upside. He has shown ability as a blocker, but still looked like he had to really work for what he got in that area. Without adding bulk and strengthening up, it would be hard to envision some struggles at the NFL level. As he continues to develop, Stover should be someone who can play in-line, making plays as a receiver and carrying out assignments as a blocker. I think his traits limit his upside, but he has a skill set that should still allow for some good production.
| Grade: 74.9 | Round Grade: 4th |
6
Erick All
School: Iowa
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 252 lbs
Strengths:
All is a solid TE with the ability to contribute in different ways. As a route runner, he shows pretty good quickness in and out of his breaks. It helps him create a little separation in 1 on 1 matchups both from the in-line position and the slot.. His hands are generally good. All has shown the ability to elevate over defenders to make contested catches. He can also locate and hold on to the ball through traffic. All’s ability in contested situations should allow for some plays to be made down the field. As a blocker, he is pretty solid. All is not the biggest guy for the position, so it would be hard to expect perfection. But he blocks with willingness, and does well to seal up the backside when tasked with pulling across the line. He also has some versatility as a blocker, being lined up in-line, as a FB/H-Back, and as a blocker out of the slot.
Weaknesses:
All has good quickness, which helps him as a route runner. However, his athleticism otherwise is nothing to write home about. He is a one speed player, who lacks that extra gear to consistently gain that extra step of separation, or to draw off in the open field. While he can get open 1 on 1, he may be put in more contested situations at the next level. As a route runner, he seems to do better against man than zone. He just doesn’t seem as good navigating the field against zone coverage, and can put himself in less than favourable positions. As well, as a pass catcher, he sometimes commits some drops that should have been relatively easy catches. All does some good work as a blocker, but won’t dominate any matchups. He doesn’t have the biggest frame for a TE, but adding some strength could help. Beyond his play on the field, staying on the field has been an issue. His medicals will likely have an impact on where he goes in the draft.
Summary:
All is someone who can bring a solid all around skill set, but I wouldn’t say he excels in any one area. He can win some matchups against man coverage because he runs sharp routes. However, his limited speed will likely limit his effectiveness and consistency. All does generally do alright in contested situations though, and is able to elevate. Similarly, as a blocker, he can make some contributions and brings some versatility, but physical limitations will also hold him back here. Overall, All projects as a potential TE2 at the next level, if he can eliminate some of his inconsistencies that aren’t related to any physical limitations. I would say his floor is a TE3, and he could contribute on special teams as well.
| Grade: 73.9 | Round Grade: 4th |
7
AJ Barner
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 251 lbs
Strengths:
Barner is a big bodied TE who is at his best lined up as a traditional in-line TE. Barner is a good blocker, generating more push in the run game than you see from a lot of TE’s. He also holds up quite well in pass protection. Both the size and strength are there for him as a blocker, and he seems to be NFL ready in this area. That is not to say that he can’t still get stronger, but I like where he is at. Barner has a large catch radius, which has shown up from time to time when he is targeted in the passing game. He has shown to be capable of climbing over a defender to make a catch. Barner’s effort and high motor are visible on nearly every snap. He doesn’t take a play off and this kind of mentality translates into toughness and determination on the field.
Weaknesses:
Barner has shown some flashes of being a solid receiving TE, but the production is very limited. This means that future projections for his game as a pass catcher are based on a smaller sample size. And even when he has been involved, his play in this area hasn’t been perfect. Far from it, in fact. Barner will need to be more consistent catching the ball in tough situations. He sometimes has difficulty hauling it in and holding on. His biggest concern as a receiver revolves around athletic concerns. His speed is nothing special, and he lacks the agility and quickness to create much separation on the ground. Therefore, he will be used almost exclusively for his size in the passing game. And if his hands aren’t a little more consistent at the next level, this could be an even bigger problem. Barner’s lack of speed and quickness also caps what he can do with the ball in his hands. He did catch some screen passes in college, but YAC routes aren’t the area where I’d be counting on him to pick up a ton of yards.
Summary:
Barner has the size and strength to excel as a blocker at the next level. His film as a blocker was already pretty good, and with further improvements, he should be contributing pretty early on in this regard. Barner is a bit of a mixed bag as a receiver. I like his size and catch radius. As well, the flashes he has shown in contested situations has opened up the possibility of a starting role. However, his limited athleticism will make that difficult. Still, he does enough well to make it as a TE2 in the NFL.
| Grade: 73.6 | Round Grade: 4th |
8
Ben Sinnott
School: Kansas State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 250 lbs
Strengths:
Sinnott, on tape, seems to have a solid floor as a receiver and a blocker. He shows good burst and has the speed to create separation down the middle of the field. Overall, he has good hands and is able to secure the ball through traffic. I wouldn’t call him a YAC guy, but his speed and burst do allow him to pile on the yards when he has grass in front of him. As a blocker, Sinnott has shown some nice flashes. In one instance, he stood up an interior defensive lineman. He is also quite versatile as a blocker, lining up in the backfield, the in-line position, and in the slot. His blocking on the move and in a phone booth both are pretty good. He is a high effort player, which helps him especially when going up against opponents who are bigger than he is.
Weaknesses:
Sinnott has good speed and is a solid receiver, but his limited twitch may prevent him from ever surpassing solid. He lacks the quickness to really shake off defenders on routes that go beyond the most simple ones. As a result, most of his receiving damage may come in the middle of the field. Creating separation will likely be an issue in other parts. His relatively limited length and catch radius for the position doesn’t make things any better. Looking at his blocking now, Sinnott has some bright flashes, but isn’t there yet when it comes to consistency. At this time, he is still lacking the mass to consistently sustain blocks. Oftentimes, bigger defenders are able to shed quick enough to still make a play on the ball.
Summary:
Sinnott is limited when it comes to traits. Specifically, size and quickness are two things he lacks that will likely hold him back, at least to some extent, at the next level. His speed and burst give him some sort of decent floor as a receiver, and he should be able to make some plays down the middle of the field. Sinnott needs work as a blocker, but adding to his frame could help turn the flashes into consistency. I like his potential in this area. Despite the limitations, Sinnott should have no trouble becoming a high end TE3. With some improvements, he could end up as a TE2 that is making contributions on offence.
| Grade: 72.9 | Round Grade: 4th |
9
Dylan Leonard
School: Georgia Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 240 lbs
Strengths:
Leonard is a TE who I think is capable of doing everything at the next level. He was asked to block quite a lot at Georgia Tech, and did well on these assignments. Overall, he blocks with good technique, and is able to sustain them. Could probably get a bit stronger, but that is nitpicking. Leonard is also someone who can be a weapon in the passing game, even if the numbers don’t suggest that at all. He wasn’t used often at all in their passing attack, as their TE2, but when given the opportunity, I was impressed with what I saw. Leonard is a good athlete, and possesses the ability to create separation. His big frame allows him to extend up over defenders to bring down high passes. Although his targets were limited, his hands looked good in all of my exposures. He was even able to make a nice vertical catch down the seam at the Hula Bowl.
Weaknesses:
Despite the traits and flashes he has shown, his extremely limited usage still makes this a pretty hefty projection. You don’t often see players go from almost no production (127 yards and 1 TD) to becoming high impact players. This is something that has to be accounted for when grading any prospect. Looking at his tape, there are things he can work on. As I mentioned, I’d like to see him get a bit stronger and fill out his frame a bit more. As well, he could be a bit more precise in his route running.
Summary:
Leonard is a tough evaluation. In all of my exposures, I was quite happy with what I saw. But his sample size as a pass catcher was so limited that you can’t come to any full conclusions at the end of it. For that reason, he is a day 3 prospect on my board, and more likely a UDFA to NFL evaluators. Still, the upside is something I recognize. And if someone else does and is able to put him in the right system and give him an opportunity, he could pay some big dividends later on.
| Grade: 69.7 | Round Grade: 5th |
10
Jared Wiley
School: TCU
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 249 lbs
Strengths:
Wiley is a big TE who stands out the most as an above the rim pass catcher. His good straight line speed allows him to get open deep down the middle, and the QB has the freedom to put the ball a bit farther away from the defender, knowing Wiley has the ability to extend out beyond his frame and snag it. This also makes him an asset in the redzone, where separation is harder to come by due to space constraints. Wiley’s catch radius would be useful in these situations. His size also presents upside as a blocker, if his drafting team is able to get it out of him.
Weaknesses:
Balance is a big issue for Wiley. Not just contact balance, but balance in general. After a lot of catches, he seems to trip himself up a little before a defender is even present to make the tackle. And when a defender is there, he goes down quite easily, showing little ability to use his size to power his way forward. Similar issues show up in his blocking, where he gets pushed back quite easily. He is a big player who does not play anywhere close to his size, from a physicality standpoint, which is disappointing. Athletically, he doesn’t have the lateral agility to pair with his speed, which makes separation on more complex routes hard to come by. I fear that his effectiveness as a pass catcher will be limited to being on vertical routes over the middle. His ineffectiveness after the catch further adds to it.
Summary:
Wiley has talent as a pass catcher, and can be a weapon on offence, thanks to his ability to elevate over defenders to bring in tough passes. However, his balance issues and tendency to play below his size from a physicality standpoint are both big concerns. Further, his limited lateral mobility may put a cap on his receiving upside and the ways in which he can be used. Wiley can catch on as a depth TE who makes contributions as a pass catcher. But he will have to play stronger, tougher, and improve as a blocker in order to challenge for a starting spot. I think he is capable of it, but it is far from certain he will reach that point.
| Grade: 68.1 | Round Grade: 5th |
11
Dallin Holker
School: Colorado State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 241 lbs
Strengths:
Holker brings a blue collar, lunch pale kind of mentality as a pass catcher. He brings a sense of ruggedness, whether he is fighting through contact in his routes, or securing catches through traffic. Holker has great hands, displaying often the ability to make highlight reel kind of catches. His body control is good when looking to secure passes that are a bit off target. As well, he has the field awareness to tap his toes at the end of the catch. With the ball in his hands, Holker’s toughness continues to show. He can be tough to bring down at times, and will battle for extra yards.
Weaknesses:
Holker has good football skills as a pass catcher, but lacks the size and athleticism to pose as a consistent threat. His speed is average at best, which already sets him back. On top of that, he is lacking when it comes to lateral mobility. As a result, it is tough for him to run precise routes, and you see rounded breaks, as well as some drifting. More athletic LB’s should be able to keep up with him, while also negating any size advantage he would otherwise have against a safety. These same limitations also put a cap on his YAC upside. Holker was used as a blocker at times as well, but his mobility limitations made things tough when blocking on the move. As well, he showed a puzzling lack of aggression at the block point, which sometimes allowed his opponent to get by easily. As an in-line blocker, I don’t know if he has the size to do it consistently at the next level.
Summary:
Holker can make some contributions in the passing game thanks to his strong hands and ability to make acrobatic catches near the sideline and above his frame. However, he is a limited athlete and will have trouble separating at the next level. I also don’t see a ton of blocking upside, which means his role could be limited. He has the skills and work toughness as a pass catcher to show some flashes and latch on as a depth/situational guy at the next level. He can contribute some, but I don’t see starter upside, especially given that he is also limited as a blocker.
| Grade: 66.6 | Round Grade: 5th |
12
Tip Reiman
School: Illinois
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 271 lbs
Strengths:
Rieman is arguably the top blocking TE in this class. He has a well built frame and tremendous strength. The ability to move people in the run game shows up consistently. He then displayed this talent nicely at the combine by crushing the sled drill. As a pass blocker, he also holds up pretty well. His strength, again, is what is really noticeable here, and he has the ability to sustain blocks. As a pass catcher, Rieman shows reliable hands and has a good catch radius. There haven’t been any issues in regard to drops in my exposures, and he does make an effort to pluck the ball out of the air with his hands, as opposed to trapping it against his body.
Weaknesses:
Reiman tested pretty well at the combine, but on tape, athleticism seems more like a weakness in his game than a strength. His speed doesn’t stand out as being anything special, and he struggles to separate against man coverage. At times he can look a bit clunky. Reiman is also limited as a lateral mover, which further inhibits his ability to separate. In college, his receiving production was very low, and these limitations led to him being used primarily as a blocker. Though he is arguably the best blocking TE in this class, Reiman isn’t without flaw in this area. But the good news is that it is correctable. Specifically in pass protection, there can be some technical blips, which prevent him from sustaining his block in some reps. It is something he’ll have to clean up.
Summary:
Reiman projects as a TE2 at the next level whose primary role will be as a blocker. He is the best blocking TE I’ve scouted since Drew Sample in 2019. His size and strength stand out in this area, and further technical refinement should allow him to continue his effectiveness at the pro level. Reiman offers enough basic skill as a receiver to see some involvement in the passing game. He has good hands and his size can be an asset. However, athletic limitations are likely to limit his effectiveness to shorter areas, and prevent him from ever reaching the top of a depth chart. Still, Reiman will bring value as a role player in the right system.
| Grade: 63.8 | Round Grade: 6th |
13
Zach Heins
School: South Dakota State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 264 lbs
Strengths:
Heins has prototypical size for an NFL TE. His big frame and high-end strength make him an asset as a blocker. He was used in this fashion often with good success. Heins has been able to move people in the run game, and do his job in pass protection. As a receiver, his size is also what stands out. His height goes well with his sturdy frame, making him able to not only battle through contact, but make above the rim catches. He does well to extend outside his frame, and pluck the ball with his hands. His hands have been very reliable in all of my exposures. This was also the case at the East-West Shrine Game, where he made a nice catch down the seam.
Weaknesses:
When running his routes, Heins can be a clunky mover at times. He has maybe just enough speed to get by, but he is definitely lacking when it comes to agility. His routes are rounded and lacking in precision, and overall, he doesn;t create much separation. This limited his receiving opportunities in college, and will probably to the same at the pro level. He can do some stuff underneath, but if he has any downfield opportunities, I’d expect almost all of these situations to be contested. And that’s not to say he can’t come down with some of them, but players that aren’t able to separate or pick up yards after the catch are much easier to contain. As a blocker, he can make some technical improvements, including his hand placement. There were also a few lunges I saw, which had him out of position.
Summary:
Heins has some technical kinks to iron out as a blocker, but he has the size, strength, and experience to become a good one at the NFL level. Limited athleticism will cap out his ceiling at a TE2, but he can be a good role player. Heins does have a good catch radius and can make above the rim catches. His receiving upside between the 20’s is limited, but he could potentially be a redzone threat. For the role he would fill, the value isn’t there to use an early round selection on him. But for a team looking for a blocking TE with reliable hands, he could provide good value late in the draft.
| Grade: 63.1 | Round Grade: 6th |
14
Brevyn Spann-Ford
School: Minnesota
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 260 lbs
Strengths:
Spann-Ford is a massive target in the passing game who has been able to have some success over the middle of the field. At his best, he is using his big frame to make above the rim targets, boxing out the defender in the process. His height allows for a mismatch, whether he is lined up in-line or in the slot. Spann-Ford has decent enough speed to threaten down the field, and can be a deceptive runner with the ball in his hands. He picks up speed as he goes and has even pulled a hurdle out of his bag of tricks from time to time.
Weaknesses:
Spann-Ford has a big frame, but plays well below his size. He offers very little as a blocker at this point. On many occasions, he struggles just to stalemate when blocking. And when he is blocking in space, there are several whiffs, some of which have caused plays to be blown up. Spann-Ford flashes as a pass catcher, but he has had drop issues. This is especially concerning given that most of his ability at this moment is as a pass catcher. As well, he has had difficulty fighting through contact at the top of routes, and in contested situations. Athletically, he has decent speed, but is a bit clunky when moving laterally. He still does pretty well after the catch, but this has caused him some issues as a route runner. Separation can sometimes be hard to come by.
Summary:
Spann-Ford has intriguing elements to his game, with his size and catch radius being the highlight. He is capable of making tough grabs well above his frame, but inconsistencies as a route runner, as well as drop issues, make him a frustrating evaluation. Adding to the frustration are his issues as a blocker, despite having the size to be an asset in this area. Spann-Ford has upside, but is a project at this point. A team may take a late round flyer on him, but he’ll need work before coaches will be able to trust him to play a regular role.
| Grade: 60.4 | Round Grade: 6th |
15
Devin Culp
School: Washington
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 231 lbs
Strengths:
On tape, Culp shows good straight line speed, with the ability to threaten vertically. If he’s got some space in front of him, he can pile on the yards. He also runs with enough power to break through arm tackles. Culp has flashed ability to reel in contested catches. I like his body control that he shows in the air. This allows him to adjust to errant passes and still give himself a chance to come down with the ball.
Weaknesses:
Culp has made some nice grabs that extend beyond his frame. However, the highlights do not ensure reliability on simpler passes. His tape is actually littered with drops, and stronger passes give him trouble when trying to pluck the ball out of the air. Culp is also lacking in size. This, first of all, can lead to issues when playing through contact as a receiver. As well, he is highly inconsistent as a blocker. At this point, he isn’t able to generate much push as a run blocker, nor sustain blocks in pass protection. Athletically, Culp brings good speed, but looks a bit more limited as a lateral mover. A bit more clunky. This slows him down a little on more complex routes, and can give defenders an easier time blanketing him in coverage.
Summary:
Culp is an undersized TE who will likely struggle as a blocker at the next level. But he has the speed to threaten down the seam, and has shown ability as a contested catcher, even though he isn’t the tallest TE. Some potential is there for him to make it as a depth option with receiving upside, but Culp will have to significantly cut down on the drops. Any improvement as a blocker would help, as would showing some ability on special teams. At the end of the day, Culp’s combine speed may earn him a late round selection, but he will have to work to make a roster.
| Grade: 54.6 | Round Grade: UDFA |
16
Tony Knox
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 240 lbs
Strengths:
Knox is a converted WR to TE, and his WR background shows up in his route running. He isn’t perfect by any means, but Knox generally does run crisp routes, and is able to create separation at each level of the field. I wasn’t blown away by his athleticism, but he has good enough speed and agility for it to still be a strength of his. Knox has shown the ability to make catches outside of his frame, and his hands are generally good, even when he has to put in a bit more effort to haul it in. With the ball in his hands, he is able to pick up some extra yards, either by making someone miss, or by outrunning other defenders for a long enough period to pile on some yards. As a blocker, he is at his best in space or coming out of the backfield, resembling the duties of a FB.
Weaknesses:
Knox is a solid athlete for the position, but is also quite undersized, which brings down his relative athleticism. He is a weak blocker in regards to inside duties, and I’m not sure this is a role he’ll be able to take on at the next level. Some move blocking can be handled, but Knox doesn’t seem to have the strength or mass to move people in the run game or sustain his blocks in pass protection. In fact, in pass protection, he was beaten right away on a lot of his reps. Knox can make catches outside his frame, but he is undersized, meaning his catch radius is still limited. Contested catches aren’t necessarily tilted in his favour, and he can have some trouble, at times, battling through traffic.
Summary:
Knox is a good enough athlete and has good enough receiving skills to make some splashes in the passing game. However, he lacks the size and strength to contribute much as a blocker, and he can also lose out at the top of his routes to more physical players. Enough is there to catch on as a depth/situational player. Showing ability on special teams would also help him a lot.
| Grade: 54.5 | Round Grade: UDFA |
FB Rankings:
1
Derryk Snell
School: Montana State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 240 lbs
Strengths:
Snell is an old school kind of player. He plays the game with a consistent mean streak, and it allows him to get that extra bit of nasty into his blocks. You see it even when he isn’t blocking. As a route runner too, for example. You just see him playing hard on every snap. Snell is an excellent lead blocker, with the speed to hit moving targets and the power to keep them away from the ball carrier. He also has the strength to block as an in-line TE, despite not being as big as a traditional TE. He holds up well in pass protection, and is a good run blocker. Snell has reliable hands and can reach out for passes. I wouldn’t call him a contested catch guy, but if the accuracy is a bit off, he can still reel it in. When he catches passes on underneath routes, he is able to build up speed, and his power makes him a pain to bring down. Snell is also able to contribute on special teams. Versatility is a big plus for him as a player.
Weaknesses:
Snell can make some catches, but I wouldn’t say he’ll be a big threat in terms of offensive production. His speed is pretty good, and he has enough agility to be a good lead blocker. But as it pertains to route running, he is too linear. When he runs deeper routes, he is limited pretty much exclusively to simple go routes. Projecting him to the next level, he likely won’t contribute much offence beyond a couple of underneath catches here or there. Given today’s climate, an old fashioned FB isn’t super high in demand. While Snell can catch some passes, he isn’t dynamic like some of the other FB-TE hybrids. Though he is a better blocker, teams may still prefer the offensive ability of the others, and hope they can develop their blocking. A question mark to his game is how he will adjust to the step up in competition he’ll face at the pro level. He played lower level college football, so a seamless transition can’t be taken for granted.
Summary:
Snell is a tough, rugged old school kind of player. Though traditional FB’s aren’t used very often anymore, a team that is looking to add one should definitely be interested. He is a good lead blocker, and his ability to block in-line is a nice bonus, as is his ability to contribute on special teams. He isn’t very dynamic as a pass catcher, which may hurt him, but he can do more basic stuff. And if his role is primarily to block, it shouldn’t matter much anyways. We’ll see if he hears his name called in the draft. It’s very possible he’ll have to make it as an undrafted free agent. But he has the talent to be on a roster, should a team be in need of a player with his skill set.
| Grade: 81.8 | Weighted Round Grade: 7th |
2
Trent Pennix
School: North Carolina State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 230 lbs
Strengths:
Pennix was used most as a blocker. He has the athleticism to pull across the formation to seal up the backside. His athleticism also comes in handy for him when he is lead blocking. As a lead blocker, he does well to find his opponent, and he has enough strength to do his job effectively. Pennix’s athleticism has allowed him to show some flashes as a receiver. He can get open down the field, and make a play with the ball in his hands. In addition to making catches, Pennix has experience taking handoffs.
Weaknesses:
Pennix is good enough to block out of the backfield. However, I don’t think he has the strength to be a consistent in-line blocker. He lost some ground on some occasions where he was blocking as a TE. Pennix has flashed as a pass catcher, but production and usage are both limited. Seems like a guy who will make a splash play from time to time, as opposed to someone you’d think of as a potential. offensive weapon. Though he is a good enough athlete to potentially outlive that billing.
Summary:
Pennix has enough strength and athleticism to be a solid lead blocker. His strength won’t blow you away, but he can get the job done. Athletically, he is able to handle himself in space and hit moving targets. I don’t see Pennix becoming a consistent weapon at the next level, but he is a good enough athlete to see some targets as a FB. The FB position is dying off, but if he can continue to prove himself as a versatile player on offence, and as a special teams contributor, he could carve out some sort of role on a team that still uses this kind of player.
| Grade: 64.6 | Weighted Round Grade: UDFA |
3
Jaheim Bell
School: Florida State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 241 lbs
Strengths:
Bell is a versatile player who lined up all around the formation, and contributed in many different ways. He is decently athletic for his size, and can make some plays with the ball in his hands. Bell runs solid routes out of the slot, and has the potential to be an athletic or size mismatch, depending on the matchup. He was also used out of the backfield, taking handoffs and running jet sweeps. Bell has the athleticism to be used as a lead blocker and a blocker in space.
Weaknesses:
Bell is far too undersized to be used as a true TE. As a result, I’d expect more backfield and slot stuff from him, if he sees the field in the NFL. However, he wasn’t used a ton as a blocker in college, and when he was, I didn’t see a lot to get excited about. He will definitely need to get stronger and improve his technique. But it is not a certainty that he will get to the point of being good enough to be deployed regularly as a blocker at the NFL level. This makes his role at the next level very murky. Though he has some playmaking ability, Bell struggled with drops at times, which isn’t good, considering his pass catching has largely been his calling card up to this point.
Summary:
Bell’s role as he transitions to the next level seems very murky. His size would suggest he’d fit best in the FB/H-Back role. He has the athleticism and playmaking ability to earn some usage from that alignment. However, if his blocking doesn’t improve, I struggle to see him earning a consistent role. Though he can still contribute as a pass catcher, would he be worth having on the field over a WR or TE? I think he’ll have to prove himself as a blocker to find a role. Doing so from an in-line position seems unlikely, but he does have some potential as a lead blocker thanks to his athleticism. Showing special teams ability would also help him make a roster.
| Grade: 62.7 | Weighted Round Grade: UDFA |
4
Marshel Martin
School: Sacramento State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 230 lbs
Strengths:
Martin lined up in various positions at Sacramento State, including the slot and in-line. He is a solid athlete with the ability to line up and hit moving targets. Martin isn’t scared to get into some of the dirtier areas of the trenches and will take on bigger opponents as a blocker. There is some niftiness to his game, which shows up when he is running routes out of the slot. When targeted in the passing game, he has shown to have reliable hands, and has been able to make plays in space.
Weaknesses:
Martin is undersized for a TE, and even when considering him as a FB or H-Back at the next level. His frame is pretty lean and I wonder how he’ll hold up against stronger competition. And even by college standards, he was playing against lesser competition. As a blocker, Martin would often initiate with his shoulder. He isn’t someone who can always go in and square up against his opponent using a true blocking technique. His blocks are often more like hits. He is a pretty smooth mover and had some dynamic moments against this level of competition. However, I’d say his athleticism is closer to average by NFL standards. And that is without accounting for the bulk he’ll certainly need to add to play in the NFL.
Summary:
Martin has a lot of experience blocking in-line and on the move. His quickness makes him an asset as a move blocker, and also allows him to have some success catching passes out of the slot. However, he is undersized and currently is lacking the strength to hold up as a blocker against NFL competition. As well, I don’t see him being as dynamic in the passing game as he was at times in college. He has work to do and is a camp body at this point. But he has enough traits for a team to take a look as an undrafted free agent.
| Grade: 53.5 | Round Grade: UDFA |
5
Jack Westover
School: Washington
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 243 lbs
Strengths:
Westover has soft hands and is able to serve as a reliable check down target for the QB. On the few occasions where he was targeted deeper down the field, he displayed good body control in the air to adjust to the ball, and still hold on to it as he goes to the ground. Westover has experience taking handoffs in short yardage situations, which could allow for the FB dive to be used from time to time at the next level too. He plays with effort and runs with a purpose when he is in space looking to connect with his block.
Weaknesses:
Westover’s has limited traits and probably not a lot of upside at the next level. Enough speed is there to get by, but I don’t know if he has the lateral movement skills to consistently connect with moving targets. As well, he doesn’t have enough speed or quickness to be much of a threat out of the slot. Any contributions as a receiver are more likely to come on check downs that are open. He also isn’t the strongest guy when tasked with blocking. He can have trouble sustaining his blocks, though technical improvements could help a bit. Westover sometimes allows his opponent to get under his shoulder pads, which costs him a lot of leverage.
Summary:
Westover doesn’t have the size to play TE in the NFL, so FB/H-Back is where he will try to make it. His traits are middling at best for the position, and he may have a hard time connecting with all of his blocks on the move. As well, he has trouble sustaining blocks from the in-line position. Westover doesn’t have the athleticism to serve as a weapon out of the slot, but his hands are reliable and he can make contributions as a check down target. Getting stronger and improving his technique as a blocker will be critical parts of his bid for a roster spot, especially given that he is playing a position that some teams don’t keep at all. He will likely have to make it as an UDFA.
| Grade: 51.9 | Round Grade: UDFA |
TE Rankings:
- Brock Bowers (91.8, Rd 1)
- Ja’Tavion Sanders (83.3, Rd 2)
- Theo Johnson (79.8, Rd 3)
- Tanner McLachlan (76.3, Rd 3)
- Cade Stover (74.9, Rd 4)
- Erick All (73.9, Rd 4)
- AJ Barner (73.6, Rd 4)
- Ben Sinnott (72.9, Rd 4)
- Dylan Leonard (69.7, Rd 5)
- Jared Wiley (68.1, Rd 5)
- Dallin Holker (66.6, Rd 5)
- Tip Reiman (63.8, Rd 6)
- Zach Heins (63.1, Rd 6)
- Brevyn Spann-Ford (60.4, Rd 6)
- Devin Culp (54.6, Rd UDFA)
- Trey Knox (54.5, UDFA)
FB Rankings:
- Derryk Snell (81.8, Rd 7)*
- Trent Pennix (64.6, UDFA)*
- Jaheim Bell (62.7, UDFA)*
- Marshel Martin (53.5, UDFA)
- Jack Westover (51.9, UDFA)
