The Browns just signed Austin Hooper for the richest tight end contract in history, but it is extremely likely that Kevin Stefanski rolls with multiple tight end sets frequently. David Njoku is still on the roster, but has been on the hot seat for some time. It is not crazy to think the Cleveland Browns may snag a tight end in this extremely strong and underrated tight end class.
I grade players extremely generous and like to think with an open mind. Most writers only rank 20-25 first-round grades and that is probably more indicative of their talent rather than where they are selected. I rank prospects based on the highest I could possibly see them be snagged.
1st Round
1. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame, 6-6, 262 pounds
Kmet has insane upside with intriguing athleticism as evidenced by the fact he was once viewed as an MLB prospect. It is not surprising that Kmet comes from NFL bloodlines; his father was drafted by Buffalo in 1992. The most concerning issue with Kmet is that he does lack elite burst coming off the line of scrimmage.
2nd Round
2. Hunter Bryant. Washington, 6-2, 248 pounds
Bryant is a large and dynamic receiving threat who was finally able to stay healthy and dominate the entire season. His unique athleticism makes him a difficult player for defenses to cover. Bryant is not exactly a complete tight end and will need some serious work as a blocker if is he to compete in-line as the No. 1 option.
3. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue, 6-4, 245 pounds
Like Bryant, Hopkins is another top-of-the-line athlete and his quick burst off the line of scrimmage and acceleration going in and out of routes make him a dangerous target. Despite being a great athlete, Hopkins did not have the best combine workout and will that will likely have an effect on his stock.
4. Adam Trautman, Dayton, 6-5, 255 pounds
Trautman was utterly dominant playing against FCS competition, but what really allowed his stock to soar was his fantastic week at the Senior Bowl. It is clear that he is a capable blocker that can play in the NFL. With that said, Trautman is still very raw as he is a former walk-on quarterback from the FCS level. He may need a red-shirt season to adjust to the NFL.
5. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic, 6-5, 243 pounds
Bryant is an extremely long receiver that can pluck the ball out of the sky with the best of them. He is an excellent receiver that checks practically every box needed to thrive in the NFL. Bryant, unlike Trautman, is not a great blocker and this is the only box he fails to check.
3rd Round
6. Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri, 6-6, 258 pounds
Okwuegbunam is excellent at tracking the ball and has the athleticism to make teams pay when he works up the seam. He also has an extremely large frame that helps him box out defenders fighting for the ball. Okwuegbunam, like Bryant above, still needs a ton of work as a blocker.
7. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt, 6-4, 257 pounds
Pinkney had a fantastic junior campaign with 50 receptions for 774 yards and seven touchdowns. He looks like the prototypical NFL tight end and has the frame to put on even more weight. After a sensational junior season, Pinkney had a rough 2019, where production took a huge dip with only 20 receptions for 233 yards.
8. Thaddeus Moss, LSU, 6-2, 250 pounds
Moss plays like a player with NFL bloodlines as he is already a fairly technically refined prospect. The son of Randy Moss had an explosive season for the Tigers, but flew a bit under the radar due to the high powered offense. Moss is not the athlete that some others on the list are.
9. Colby Parkinson, Stanford, 6-7. 252 pounds
Parkinson is arguably the most athletic tight end in this class and lives up to the TEU stereotype of a long 50-50 ball threat. He is extremely crisp in his routes, especially on the underneath. Even though Parkinson is an elite athlete, he does lack the top end speed most teams prefer.
10. Cheyenne O’Grady, Arkansas, 6-4, 253 pounds
O’Grady has an insane amount of untapped potential as evidenced by his former five-star recruiting ranking. He was able to snag 63 receptions for nine touchdowns during his last two seasons. His combination of size and speed will be extremely enticing to teams looking for a capable in-line tight end.
O’Grady was never able to reach his full potential due to being suspended multiple times and that will warrant deeper investigation. He also may require a red-shirt season. There have been comparisons made between him and former Philadelphia Eagles player, Scott Orndoff. As far as physical profile goes it is spot on, but O’Grady does offer a much higher ceiling.
11. Jacob Breeland, Oregon, 6-5, 252 pounds
Breeland was having a phenomenal season before injuries hit him. He is a clean receiver with solid route-running ability and ideal ball skills. He is also able to create separation. Breeland would be much higher on this list, but a knee injury robbed him of the second half of the season and that injury warrants deeper investigation.
4th Round
12. Devin Asiasi, UCLA, 6-3, 257 pounds: Explodes off the line of scrimmage and weight needs monitoring at the next level as he has a propensity to gain negative weight.
13. Stephen Sullivan, LSU, 6-5, 248 pounds: Had 12 receptions for 130 yards last season and is extremely raw. Had a fantastic Senior Bowl week and a highlight-reel touchdown against SE Louisiana as a junior. Comparisons have been made between him and Darren Waller of the Las Vegas Raiders and he could certainly exceed those expectations.
14. Mitchell Wilcox, South Florida, 6-3, 247 pounds: Versatile receiver who played in the slot and split out wide, but he is not a good blocker.
5th Round
15. Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland St, 6-2, 240 pounds: Raw with H-Back ability, but not an ideal tight end, especially due to his lack of blocking ability.
16. Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati, 6-2, 242 pounds: Ability to contribute in a number of ways, but is not the best athlete. Also has H-back ability.
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17. Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech, 6-4, 253 pounds: Unique upside and able to block effectively, but lacks ideal speed.
6th Round
18. Sean McKeon, Michigan, 6-5, 242 pounds: Solid blocker, but was not an extremely productive receiver.
19. Ahmad Wagner, Kentucky, 6-5, 234 pounds: Giant frame that he uses effectively to box out defenders, but rough route runner.
7th Round
20. Kyle Markway, South Carolina, 6-4, 250 pounds: Best blocker in the class with a physical mentality. Not a productive receiver and not athletic enough to become one.
21. Joey Magnifico, Memphis, 6-4, 240 pounds: Raw prospect that saw few opportunities in college.
22. Nate Wieting, Iowa, 6-4, 244 pounds: Another intriguing upside prospect, but the former walk-on has a few injury concerns.
23. Eli Wolf, Georgia, 6-4, 245 pounds: One of the viral workout videos that was recently released showed Wolf running a 4.43 forty, but that’s hard to see on film.
24. Dominick Wood-Anderson, Tennessee, 6-4, 261 pounds: Fairly raw former quarterback with good size, but inconsistent tape.
25. Tyler Mabry, Maryland, 6-4, 248 pounds: Grad-transfer from Buffalo failed to build on his solid junior campaign.
26. Farrod Green, Mississippi St., 6-3, 245 pounds: Raw prospect who was expected to breakout in 2019 and never did.
Priority Free agent
27. Parker Houston, San Diego St., 6-2, 250 pounds
28. Charlie Woerner, Georgia, 6-5, 244 pounds
29. Noah Togiai, Oregon St., 6-4, 246 pounds
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