2020 NFL Draft – Tight Ends
Which 2020 TE prospect has the best traits?
Hands
Ed Hunt: Stephen Sullivan (LSU)
Alex Khvatov: Thaddeus Moss (LSU)
Route Running
Ed Hunt: Kyle Markway (South Carolina)
Alex Khvatov: Brycen Hopkins (Purdue)
Body Control
Ed Hunt: Harrison Bryant (Florida Atlantic)
Alex Khvatov: Adam Trautman (Dayton)
Blocking ability
Ed Hunt: Adam Trautman (Dayton)
Alex Khvatov: Adam Trautman (Dayton)
Athleticism
Ed Hunt: Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri)
Alex Khvatov: Hunter Bryant (Washington)
Size/Frame
Ed Hunt: Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri)
Alex Khvatov: Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri)
Quickness
Ed Hunt: Giovanni Ricci (Western Michigan)
Alex Khvatov: Hunter Bryant (Washington)
Run After the Catch
Ed Hunt: Hunter Bryant (Washington)
Alex Khvatov: Harrison Bryant (FAU)
Acceleration off the Line
Ed Hunt: Stephen Sullivan (LSU)
Alex Khvatov: Brycen Hopkins (Purdue)
Contested Catches/Traffic
Ed Hunt: Cole Kmet (Notre Dame)
Alex Khvatov: Adam Trautman (Dayton)
5 Burning Questions
Who will be the first TE drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft?
Alex Khvatov: Personally, I think Dayton TE Adam Trautman should be the first one off the board. But I get the feeling that Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet is going to be the guy for some team in the second round. He broke out during his junior season. Kmet has the size, large catching radius and speed. He is a good athlete with high upside. With no clear-cut top TE in this draft, Kmet would most likely be the guy.
Ed Hunt: I believe Harrison Bryant will be the first tight end off the board in the second round. He is the most well-rounded tight end in this draft with good blocking ability and has the pass catching ability you want in a tight end. I like that he can go out for a deeper pass as a tight end. I think that gives your team more space to open up the receiving game.
How many tight ends do you foresee being selected on Day 2?
Alex Khvatov: I am keeping my number fairly low. I am going to say three (Trautman, Kmet and Harrison Bryant). Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins has questionable hands. Albert Okwuegbunam from Missouri is a hot name right now, but I don’t see him as a day 2 pick.
Ed Hunt: My best guess would be five. I think Harrison Bryant, Hunter Bryant, Cole Kmet, Brycen Hopkins and Albert Ogwuegbunam are all day two worthy. I think the other guys have the tape while Albert O has the freaky combine stats. I don’t think this tight end class has the top end talent, but they have some solid options on day two and some workable parts on day three.
Missouri TE Albert Okwuegbunam ran a blistering 4.49 forty at the Combine. What do you think of him as a prospect?
Alex Khvatov: He has been a steady contributor since his freshman season. He never had that breakout year. He has a huge frame and was a safety valve for Missouri QB’s (Drew Lock and Kelly Bryant). I just don’t see that speed on film. He also has to improve his route running ability and blocking. He also has injury concerns.
Ed Hunt: I think he has freaky athleticism and size. The problem is that he is still a project after playing in the SEC. He has had injury problems and has never turned the corner to be the player they thought he could be. I think some team will see him as a project, but remember he is no spring chicken.
Who do you currently consider the most underrated TE in the entire draft?
Alex Khvatov: Keep an eye on UCLA TE Devin Asiasi. He transferred from Michigan. He came out of nowhere and had a good season as a junior. He decided to declare early. He has good speed. He shows the ability to create separation. He runs a variety of routes and can be a threat on all three levels (short, intermediate and deep). He is still developing as a blocker. But I saw him block his tail off against Utah’s DE Bradlee Anae when they matched up. He is a day 3 guy.
Ed Hunt: Cheyenne O’Grady is a nice option that nobody is talking about. He is probably a mid-round pick, that can help you in both the blocking and passing department. He ran a lot of simple routes at Arkansas, but has some good speed on tape. If a team can teach him to run routes, he might be a starter in the NFL.
How would you rate this TE class overall?
Alex Khvatov: We don’t have a T.J. Hockenson or a Noah Fant here. This TE class reminds me of the 2018 group. It is a very average group. We had four tight ends selected in the top 100 in 2018. Mike Gesicki, Dallas Goedert went in the second round and Mark Andrews, Jordan Akins went in the third round.
Ed Hunt: I don’t think the top end talent is that good, but there are a lot of early-mid round options that I would consider if I was looking for a tight end. Nobody is going to step in and change your offense, but some guys could be versatile contributors to your team.
