Category: Tight Ends

2020 NFL draft: Cole Kmet scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Notre Dame tight end prospect Cole Kmet

Cole Kmet | TE | Notre Dame

Elevator Pitch

When you look at Kmet, he immediately wins getting off the bus. Very much looks the part of a NFL tight end. Standing in at 6’6″, Kmet is a big target who will be the best friend for any quarterback in the league. He has had growing production each year in South Bend. Now he looks to be the next Fighting Irish tight end to be productive at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-6

Weight | 262

Class | Junior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

Kmet is a big target, not just because of his height. He has long arms and big hands. His catch radius makes him a very inviting target for quarterbacks. Definitely a guy that can climb the ladder and shows good body control in the air, will come down with the ball. A reliable target for the most part.

One of the best aspects of his game is that Kmet can create separation at the second level. While he can bring down contested throws, he provides his passer a good target. A linebacker will have trouble keeping up with Kmet, and they will struggle with his physicality at times. Very much a bowling ball as he will crash into defenders when running after the catch.

Tight ends in the NFL need to be able to block and Kmet is an above average run blocker. He can latch onto his guy and drive him off the line to create space for running backs. Uses his length to keep defenders off his pads, can maintain the block.

Weaknesses

Pass blocking is suspect at best. Not where he will win early on in his career, will need a lot of work on technique. As well as understanding of where he needs to get in his block fits. He will need on getting stronger and holding his blocks in the pass game. However, Kmet needs to be running routes on passing downs instead of staying in to protect his quarterback.

Kmet also needs to work on route running, coming in and out of his breaks. Footing can be an issue as he has been known to slip a time or two. Needs to work on his balance in both blocking and running routes. Can come out of his breaks too high.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Brycen Hopkins scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Purdue tight end prospect Brycen Hopkins

Brycen Hopkins | TE | Purdue

Elevator Pitch

Hopkins is an athletic receiving tight end with the potential to be a high-volume ‘U’ tight end at the next level. While he’s a work in progress as a blocker, his speed, body control and route-running abilities should see him be high in command in a class that doesn’t have a lot of top-end talent at his position.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 245

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

In a league where tight ends have more and more value as pass-catchers, Hopkins should be able to fit right in.

An athletic player with a good frame for his position, Hopkins is a very fluid weapon who can flip his hips seamlessly and burst well coming out of his breaks. He has great body control and is a coordinated athlete in terms of his ability to move across the middle of the field. He’s a refined route-runner for a tight end, as he does a good job of sinking his hips and making sharp cuts.

Hopkins has plenty of experience lined up in the slot, and his combination of size and speed makes him a difficult player for opposing defenses to contain in man coverage. His ball skills are impressive: he excels at adjusting to the ball and high pointing passes in contested situations. The son of former All-Pro offensive lineman Brad Hopkins, the Purdue star has professional football in his blood, too.

Weaknesses

For all the upside that Hopkins brings as a pass-catcher, he still needs to get better as a blocker. His pad level could use some work, as he isn’t great at sinking his hips into contact and staying low when engaged with a defender. His grip strength is decent at best, and he doesn’t have the nastiest of edges as a run blocker.

Drops have also been an issue Hopkins has dealt with from time to time. His film has a handful of double-catches in it, as well as just straight up drops. If he wants to make it into that upper echelon of tight ends in the NFL, then he will have to work on his hands a bit.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Hunter Bryant scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Washington tight end prospect Hunter Bryant

Hunter Bryant | TE | Washington

Elevator Pitch

Bryant is one of the top tight ends in the upcoming NFL draft class. He isn’t your grandfather’s type of tight end, but more of a big slot receiver in the body of a tight end. Bryant is an absolute weapon in the passing game, if you are looking for a pass catching threat then this Bryant is for you. Get him running up the seams and let the man work.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 248

Class | Junior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

In today’s NFL, it is less about set roles and more about the matchups. Bryant provides the opportunity to get a favorable matchup in the passing game. He can be too powerful for smaller defensive backs to deal with and too quick for most linebackers.

Bryant possesses good hands at the position. He uses his big mitts well to pluck the ball out of the air and does a good job of catching the ball outside of his frame. Going above defensive backs poses no issue as Bryant will use every bit of his 76 1/2″ wingspan to his advantage. When matched up with smaller defenders, using his frame to “box them out” is just another way he wins.

Once Bryant gets the ball in his hands, defenders beware. One of his best qualities is the ability to get yards after the catch. His 4.74 speed will be on full display. His burst off the line and coming in and out of breaks gives him ample opportunity to create space needed for long runs after the catch. Two of his three touchdowns came on receptions of 20+ yards.

Weaknesses

Playing as an inline tight end is a big part of what Bryant needs the most work on at the next level. He really gives you nothing when asked to block and open holes in the run game. Blocking on the perimeter isn’t much better. Asking him to participate in blocking is a waste of his talent until he works on technique.

Given his size, you would expect him to be more physical. Working with strength coaches and a position coach will be crucial. Despite instances of brilliance with contested catches, Bryant needs to be more consistent. His production could be a concern, but he has shown that he can be a viable target up the seams.

Projection: Top 100

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