College Football Review: Tight Ends

College Football Review: Tight Ends

Written by Ryan Dukarm on November 20, 2015

howardMy fourth in a series of position breakdowns during the college football season, I take my first look at a few tight ends. These are not meant to be scouting reports on any player, they are simply meant to provide an extended version of the scouting notes feature on the site. For this week’s piece I looked at three juniors who could be among the first tight ends drafted if they declare for the 2016 NFL Draft. Thoughts or suggestions for future content? Let me know on twitter! (@DBRyan_Dukarm)

OJ Howard (Alabama) vs Ole Miss

Pros: Showed good hands catching ability, early look appeared to show that he had fairly soft hands. Showed very impressive leg drive on early run blocks, plays above his size in run game after establishing hands. Good run blocker when he gets up to running speed, speaks to plus athleticism but limited play strength in close areas. Good athletic ability displayed on this tape, some good COD through blocks and breaks, very good balance while making blocks. Has height and athleticism to effectively work the seam, almost never asked to do so on tape, hopefully in games/all star games we get a look at him working the middle of the field. Has very good concentration on catches in traffic.

Cons: Not a big enough player to be an inline blocker at the NFL level, lanky build is good for receiving prospects at the next level but would need to add bulk to stay on the field on obvious run downs against heavy defensive packages. Lacks vision as a pulling/lead run blocker, does not turn to see the middle of the field. Appears to lack competitive toughness through the play, gives up early when he’s beat on blocks and stops to watch play if he’s not still involved. Marginal play strength, is not strong enough to win one on one blocks with defensive lineman and struggles to fight off of physical press coverage from linebackers.

Evan Engram (Ole Miss) vs Mississippi State (2014)

Pros: Right from the beginning of the game showed very good burst off the snap to immediately get downfield. Plays at a high speed because of his mental processing, good at finding seams in zone coverage and moves quickly through defenders zones to get open. Got low and wide base when blocking for a screen out in space. Very impressive route runner on double move down the seam, manipulates the safety with his body and has the athletic ability to get out of break quickly and efficiently. Shows rare athletic ability for the tight end position with his foot speed and COD ability. Has solid physicality and grit as a runner, breaks arm tackles in the open field. Flashes impressive hands and concentration in contested catch/jump ball situations.

Cons: Looks exceedingly tentative working off of physical press coverage, tends to try and take extended path away from the defender. Tape did not have much exposure as a run blocker, based on his skinny frame/lackluster play strength in passing game I would guess he is exceedingly limited as a blocker, need to see more in future tape.

Jake Butt (Michigan) vs Utah (2015)

Pros: Good hands, actively plucks the ball out of the air. Good competitive toughness, throws blocks routinely downfield. Routinely showed to be a reliable option underneath, good hands and didn’t double catch or drop any passes. Had an impressive catch over the middle, snatched ball away from two defenders for a touchdown.

Cons: Appears limited as an athlete, COD is below average for an NFL caliber tight end. Drops his head before contact when blocking, loses the defender and was pretty routinely shed by defenders. While willing and physical as a blocker, lacks one on one play strength to win battles with defenders. Capped athletic ability limits his upside down the seam and deep in the field.

http://draftbreakdown.com/college-football-review-tight-ends/