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There is a growing movement in the Dynasty community toward “devy” players. The term “devy” refers to developmental players carried on the dynasty league rosters. These devy players are usually college players but can even be high school athletes. During each week of the season, we will look at a different set of devy rankings.
Three weeks ago, we began to look at the potential 2017 NFL Draft class, beginning with the quarterbacks. This week, we are examining the tight ends who are eligible for the NFL Draft.
As we survey devy prospects, we will be looking at traits, abilities, and skill sets that will translate to the NFL. So, let’s get started on tight ends who might be selected high in the 2017 NFL Draft.
10. Pharaoh Brown (Oregon) – It seems as though the redshirt Senior tight end has been around forever. Almost two years ago, Brown went down with a severe knee injury and he appears to be fully recovered. The injury came in a game against Utah in November 2014. Brown was hospitalized for several days. The big (6’5”, 250 pounds) tight end was one of the nation’s top prospects before the injury and was on track for 700 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns in the 2014 season. Now healthy, Brown is a sleeper pro prospect in a deep tight end draft. We will get a good fell for his athleticism at the NFL Combine.
9. Josiah Price (Michigan State) – Price is another sleeper at the tight end position. Few have heard of the 6’3”, 260-pound redshirt Senior but he has NFL appeal. Price ranks first in Spartans history in receiving touchdowns by a tight end and Michigan State has put out some quality players at the position. Coming into the 2016 season, Price averaged more touchdowns than games started. We also want to mention Price’s service off the field. He was nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing college football players who exemplify a superior commitment to community service and volunteerism. In addition, he was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List for the second year in a row (for community service combined with athletic and academic achievement).
8. Cole Hikutini (Louisville) – The Senior does not get much due as quarterback Lamar Jackson gets all of the buzz. But, the 6’4”, 248-pounder has enjoyed some big games, including catching seven balls for 84 yards against Clemson a week ago. We do not expect Hikutini to get drafted before the third day of the NFL Draft, but he could be a solid pass-catching option for a team like the Saints, Colts, or Cowboys.
7. Bucky Hodges (Virginia Tech) – Many will have the redshirt Junior higher than we do. While Hodges has the size (6’6”, 245 pounds), we do not like his inconsistency as a blocker and he goes missing for large stretches of ball games. He has the size and athletic ability to be an NFL starter so there is plenty of upside. However, in a draft class full of studs, we fail to see him making an impact early. For this reason, there is a solid chance Hodges will stay in school another year. Hodges is very strong and athletic for a college tight end. He has very good acceleration, agility, and strength. We like his willingness to catch the ball in traffic. Hodges has relied on his size and speed so much that he does not run solid routes.
6. Durham Smythe (Notre Dame) – The redshirt Junior is not nationally known, even though he plays for a high-profile school. Standing 6’4”, 245 pounds, Smythe is able to gain separation with ease at the collegiate football on a high profile team and has the speed and burst to take most receptions for long gains. Injuries have slowed Smythe’s development and could push him to stay in school another year. He is a good blocker but will need to add bulk before going pro.
5. Jordan Leggett (Clemson) – The 6’5”, 255-pound Senior has shown great promise this season, including a long touchdown grab Friday night against Boston College. But, his emergence occurred in the National Championship loss to Alabama. In the game, Leggett caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Leggett has the ability to play in-line, in the slot, or out wide and his versatility will add to his NFL appeal. Early in his collegiate career, Leggett was benched for his laziness in practice and lack of willingness on improving his game. He has grown strides in both areas. Leggett still needs to show dedication in improving as a blocker and the nuances of the position but could splash in the NFL. He is at his best in motion or in space, both allowing him to expose the mismatches against slower linebackers.
4. Jeremy Sprinkle (Arkansas) – The redshirt Senior stayed in his home state to play for the Razorbacks. He stands 6’5” and weighs 255 pounds. Even though he is not widely known, Sprinkle is getting buzz that he may be better than his predecessor, Hunter Henry. ESPN's Alex Scarborough wrote during the offseason that "coaches say Sprinkle is better after the catch than Henry." He went on to say, "Sprinkle has to work on some of the nuances of his game … but if he does that, then there’s no reason to believe he can't be an All-SEC player by season’s end." With very good athleticism, Sprinkle could be a very good NFL tight end. Yes, he is under-sized but will add bulk.
3. O.J. Howard (Alabama) – The 6’6”, 251-pound Senior is a player who could end up tops on this list by the end of the season. While he has enjoyed a strong career for the Crimson Tide, the National Championship game against Clemson thrust Howard unto the national stage. In the victory, Howard caught 5 passes for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was very impressive in the game. Then, in the Alabama team testing last spring, Howard showed off his speed and strength, running a 4.65 40-yard dash, 425-pound bench press, 500-pound squat, and most impressive a 9’11” broad jump. Those are great numbers for such a big tight end. When Daniel Jeremiah polled five NFL executives of their preference between Howard and Michigan’s Jake Butt, all five favored Howard. Jeremiah wrote about his discussion with the executives, ‘"Howard is the better prospect," the first said. "He's faster and a bigger playmaker. However, Butt is a better blocker and he catches the ball more consistently." Another comped Butt to Jason Witten but sided with Howard anyway. A third chose Howard because he "gives your offense more mismatch opportunities because of his athleticism." The fourth said Howard is "a better blocker and he plays much faster" and the fifth said he "would take a chance on the skill set of Howard over the steadiness of Butt."’ Howard will be selected high in the NFL Draft next spring. He has all of the athleticism and ability to be a great professional player.
2. Jake Butt (Michigan) – We have the Senior tight end ranked higher than most. He has NFL size (6’5”, 250 pounds) and is a very good blocker and receiver. Daniel Jeremiah compared Butt to Jason Witten, “"I really like the comparison to Jason Witten … Both guys are physical, instinctive and catch everything." We agree with the former scout. The other thing Butt has in common with Witten is his competitiveness. Mel Kiper had this to say about the Michigan star, "I thought Butt could have pushed his way into second-round consideration had he entered the 2016 draft, and his return gives the Michigan offense a pretty big weapon … When he makes catches in space, he can turn it up and will run through tackles. While he's not a very good blocker, the effort is there. He's a weapon who is certain to be catching NFL passes next fall." We disagree with Kiper and think Butt has improved significantly as a blocker this season. What makes Butt unique, like Witten mentioned above, is his ability to run great routes and make catches in traffic. Coach Harbaugh has his tight end ready for the NFL.
1. Evan Engram (Mississippi) – Engram is a star in the making but will need to be drafted by the right organization in order to live up to lofty expectations. The Senior is undersized (6’3, 227 pounds) for an NFL tight end but is very athletically gifted. He fits the mold of Jordan Reed in terms of potential. Engram has had a few monster outings already this season. One such game was against Alabama. He hauled in 9 passes for 138 yards and a score in the loss. His quarterback, Chad Kelly, had this to say about the tight end, "He’s a freak athlete, and he has great hands … He makes plays when the ball is in his hands. I think this year we’ve really got to get him the ball a lot more." Engram gives effort as a blocker but lacks the size to be effective. He has the short-area quickness of a slot receiver and will be able to abuse linebackers. The talent and upside are there. The only question is which team will draft the Senior.
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.