Rizzla takes a look at six 2019 tight end draft prospects to pay special attention to at this weekends combine.
With the NFL combine testing just days away, it is time to take a look at six tight ends worth monitoring ahead of this weekend. Some of these names have been on everybody’s lips, while some have curiously flown under the radar for the most part. All of these tight ends could be instant starters, and while some were more productive than others, all managed to shine brightly when given the opportunity. This is not a complete list of all of the impressive tight ends in this class, but rather a list of the ones I will be paying the most attention to for dynasty league purposes.
Noah Fant is the name most dynasty league owners are enthralled with. A 6’5, 241 lbs., tight end with wide receiver skills is easy to get excited about. He may not even be the best pro prospect at tight end on his own team, but he may well be for dynasty. After an 11 touchdown 2017 season, Fant put 39 receptions, 519 yards and seven touchdowns. His passer rating when targeted of 122.2 ranked top-20 in the nation and he posted a solid 63.9 percent catch rate. Thinking of what could have been had he not had to share the field, and snaps, with T.J. Hockenson, truly gets one excited. Fant has elite receiving ability for a tight end and can run most of a wide receivers routes. A good route runner with strong hands, Fant is also a weapon after the catch as evidenced by his 6.8 yards after catch per reception. Fant posted a solid 13.3 yards per reception mark, 8.5 yards per target and recorded 29 first downs for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Fant is someone to target in the first round of tight end premium leagues and in the second to third of regular formats. With a strong combine Fant could force his way into the first round conversation to stay.
T.J. Hockenson is arguably the most complete tight end in this draft class. A relentless blocker who can maul in the run game and more than hold his own as a pass protector, Hockenson could go in the early first round. Hockenson reminds me of a more explosive Heath Miller who should be an instant impact player wherever he lands. The major concern with Hockenson from a dynasty perspective is just how good he blocks. He may well be drafted by a team that views him as an extra lineman and be asked to stay home to block at a high enough clip that it could cap his fantasy upside. Hockenson was dominant at Iowa, and at times even looked like the better receiving prospect. Hock recorded 35 first downs to Fant’s 29, and recorded 11.9 yards per target to Fant’s 8.5. PFF loved Hockenson awarding him a higher overall grade, receving grade, and blocking grade than Fant. Hockenson ranked top ten in the nation in yards per route run as well as the aforementioned PFF overall and receiving grades. With a strong combine performance Hockenson can solidify himself as the only true day one tight end in an exceedingly deep draft class. Hockenson is a name to monitor.
Jace Sternberger is one of my favorite tight ends in this draft class. A JUCO transfer Sternberger lit the world on fire this past season, most notably when he dragged a South Carolina defender 27 yards down the field. A Kyle Rudolph type with a sprinkle of George Kittle, Jace recorded an amazing 8.3 yards after the catch per reception that placed him eleventh in the nation. His 17.1 yards per reception placed him fourth in the nation and his 85.3 PFF grade placed him third. How can a tight end this good be flying under the radar? I have asked myself the same question. Let’s go through some more of Sternberger’s statistical highlights. He was first in touchdowns, second in receiving yards, and tied for the top PFF receiving grade. His 2.03 yards per route run, and 114.5 passer rating when targeted further cement his immense upside as a receiver. He had a ridiculous 18.2 yards per reception on third and fourth down and led the SEC with 37 first downs. Jace Sternberger. Put some respect on his name.
Irv Smith Jr. presents the best combination of big play upside as a receiver and blocking skills. Smith is a smooth route runner with good game speed who is a threat after the catch. His 2.56 yards per route run is wide receiver like and highlights his upside in this department. Smith will stay on the field due to his plus blocking skills, giving him perhaps the highest upside in this class. Smith is a name to watch at the combine. If he tests well he could be the first tight end off the board in the NFL draft and worthy of consideration of the same in dynasty rookie drafts.
Caleb Wilson dominated at UCLA. A 6’4, 235 lbs., tight end Wilson showed significant upside with Josh Rosen in 2017, but exploded in 2018. His 965 yards led all tight ends and his 7.8 yards after catch per reception placed him in the top-20. Wilson is a good blocking prospect which should help him stay on the field and if he can answer some athleticism concerns this weekend he could vastly improve his draft stock. He does not look the most fluid on tape despite being listed at only 235 lbs., so good testing will help ease concerns about his ability to make a significant impact against the coverages he will face in the NFL.
Dawson Knox will be one of the most intriguing names to watch at any position. With rumor of a potential sub 4.5 forty buzzing around the ‘water coolers’, Knox can skyrocket his draft stock by confirming them. Lost in the target shuffle due to playing with three receivers that will be drafted this year, Knox was impressive when given the chance. His 10.5 yards per target led the team, and his 19.6 yards per reception on third and fourth down led an impressive SEC tight class that includes the aforementioned Irv Smith Jr., and Jace Sternberger.
