Watch: New Commanders TE Ben Sinnott was a standout hockey player

Washington fans are going to love TE Ben Sinnott.

Most tight ends in today’s NFL are known more for their ability to impact the passing game. Travis Kelce is a future Hall of Famer, but he isn’t known for his blocking.

George Kittle is the NFL’s most complete tight end because he is an excellent receiver and blocker.

The Washington Commanders entered the 2024 NFL draft knowing they needed a tight end. General manager Adam Peters, who came from San Francisco, played a role in drafting Kittle. Could Peters find his next Kittle?

With the No. 53 overall pick, the Commanders selected Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott. On the NFL Network’s draft telecast, Daniel Jeremiah said Sinnott was a combination of Kittle and standout fullback Kyle Juszczyk. In his Day 2 wrapup with the media, Peters used those same comparisons.

Sinnott can block, run and catch. When watching him play, it’s no surprise he is a former hockey player. Check this out:

Sinnott began playing hockey at three and played until high school, where he led his team in points and penalty minutes. That explains a lot when you watch him on the football field.

Washington fans are going to love Sinnott.

 

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. names Commanders as one of NFL draft’s Day 2 winners

Kiper was impressed with the Commanders’ Day 2 haul.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. loved the Washington Commanders’ selection of LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

On Saturday, the Commanders entered the second round of the draft with five selections — two in the second round and three in the third round. At No. 36, Washington selected Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton, who many believed should have gone in the first round.

While the Commanders have two standout defensive tackles in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, Newton adds another stud to the mix.

Instead of using the No. 40 pick, Washington traded it to the Eagles for a pair of second-round picks and a fifth-round pick in exchange for No. 40 and No. 78. Instead of two second-rounders and three third-rounders, the Commanders now had three second-round selections and two third-round picks.

The Commanders used those picks to select cornerback Mike Sainristil and tight end Ben Sinnott.

So, what did Kiper think of Washington’s Saturday haul? He named the Commanders as one of his Day 2 winners.

I mentioned the Commanders’ trade with the Eagles above, and Washington ended up with three second-round picks. New GM Adam Peters landed a game-wrecker for the middle of his defense. He got the best slot corner in this class. And he got my second-ranked tight end, a player who could make plays in the pass game and block his butt off in the run game. This is a home run Round 2 class for the Commanders, who entered this draft with a lot of holes.

To finish out Round 3, Washington took wideout Luke McCaffrey, which was a reach based on my rankings. Still, Christian’s brother has the physical traits to be an intriguing flier.

All five of Washington’s Day 2 selections could help the Commanders next season, which is almost uncommon in recent years.

Who did the Commanders get in Ben Sinnott?

The Commanders got themselves a tight end.

With the 53rd overall selection, the Washington Commanders selected Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott.

Who is Ben Sinnott?

Watching his highlight film of catching and running with the football, he looks similar to former Washington tight end Chris Cooley, which will make avid Commanders fans eager with anticipation.

His tape also reveals he is an aggressive and physical blocker who likes physical contact in opening the way for running backs into the defensive secondary.

At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Sinnott will bring a physical dimension to the tight end room that general manager Adam Peters will welcome to the Commanders offense.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Sinnott ran a 4.68 40, and at 250 pounds, unveiled an explosiveness with his 40-inch vertical jump.

In his final season, the Kansas State Wildcat was a third-team Associated Press All-American. He was voted First-team All-Big 12 Conference (listed at fullback because of his blocking ability). Sinnott led the team with 676 receiving yards (49 receptions, 13.8 YPR), six receiving TDs. He started 12 games.

Commanders NFL Draft grade: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State 53rd overall

Ben Sinnott was one of the most athletic tight ends in the draft.

The Washington Commanders add some youth and versatility to their tight end room with the selection of Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott with the 53rd overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

Sinnott should add some depth to behind a 33-year-old Zach Ertz and can help produce as a tight end, slot receiver, or fullback for the Commanders as needed. Eventually, Sinnott should slot into the starting role but adds enough versatility early on.

Versatile, quick, and electric with the ball in his hands, Sinnott should find plenty of snaps in whatever capacity he is used in Washington early on. Expect Sinnott to find the end zone in multiple ways in his rookie season.

Grade: C+

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Commanders select Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott at No. 53 overall

The Commanders find their tight end of the future.

With the 53rd overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, the Washington Commanders selected Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott.

Sinnott, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound native of Waterloo, Iowa, began his career as a walk-on and was also a standout hockey player.

Sinnott didn’t play as a freshman and appeared in 12 games in 2021. He took over as K-State’s starting tight end in 2022 and quickly developed into an All-Big-12 Conference performer. Sinnott was even better in 2023, catching 49 passes for 676 yards, averaging 13.8 yards per reception with six touchdowns.

Here is NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on Sinnott:

Athletic F tight end with an ability to add value in the passing game and handle some blocking duties in space. The former walk-on has added 40 pounds to his frame without losing his speed or agility. He’s an adequate route runner with the quickness to compete against man coverage on all three levels and get additional yards after the catch. He lacks NFL physicality to hold up on blocking duties near the line, and he needs to prove he can play with quicker, stronger hands as a pass catcher. Sinnott is a Day 3 talent but his NFL journey could be determined by whether he can get just a little bit better in all phases.

Browns Podcast: Favorite prospects for Cleveland in the 2024 NFL draft

These prospects would be great fits

The 2024 NFL draft is finally here as the festivities kick off Thursday in Detroit. Cleveland Browns fans will have to wait an extra day, of course, since the team won’t pick until the second round because of the Deshaun Watson trade. But have no fear, Browns fans, as there are plenty of good players that will still be available.

Andrew Berry has shown a knack for drafting corners, and there is always a chance he does it again, maybe drafting a press man corner such as Renardo Green from Florida State. It’s also a great offensive tackle class, and someone with all the physical traits that could grow into a great player is Yale’s Kiran Amegadjie. Cleveland is finally a team that can draft guys and let them develop with the roster as good as it is.

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The team could use another tight end, and guys like Ben Sinnott, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Jared Wiley could make a ton of sense. You can hear us talk about all these prospects and more in this week’s podcast by clicking here.

Do-it-all Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott named a ‘best draft fit’ for Colts

Do-it-all Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott was named a ‘best draft fit’ for the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts were named as a ‘best draft fit’ for do-it-all Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott by Justin Melo of The Draft Network.

Here is what Melo had to say about the fit:

“The Colts have been connected to potentially drafting Bowers in the first round, but I ultimately foresee Ballard drafting a prospect at a more pressing premium position like wide receiver or cornerback. Ballard could then turn around at No. 46 or No. 82 and target a tight end like Sinnott, which sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson would appreciate. There’s a need at the position with the aging Mo Alie-Cox entering a contract year and Kylen Granson being better suited as a role player.”

Sinnott is an excellent athlete. He measures in at 6-3 – 250 pounds and posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.72. Jim Nagy, the Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, would point out that Sinnott had the highest vertical, the longest broad jump, and the fastest three-cone of any tight and the NFL combine.

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For the Wildcats, Sinnott wore many hats and impacted the game as both a receiver and a run-blocker. Just in 2023, Sinnott lined up in the backfield, in-line as a traditional tight end, in the slot, and on the boundary.

As a pass-catcher, with most of his playing time coming in the last two seasons, Sinnott caught 66 percent of the 119 targets that came his way during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, averaging 14.2 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns.

This past year, he would rank ninth out of all tight ends in yards per route run and 32nd in average YAC. Sinnott was also one of PFF’s higher grade run and pass-blocking tight ends.

For more on Sinnott and his potential impact at the NFL level, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his pre-draft report:

“Athletic F tight end with an ability to add value in the passing game and handle some blocking duties in space. The former walk-on has added 40 pounds to his frame without losing his speed or agility. He’s an adequate route runner with the quickness to compete against man coverage on all three levels and get additional yards after the catch. He lacks NFL physicality to hold up on blocking duties near the line, and he needs to prove he can play with quicker, stronger hands as a pass catcher. Sinnott is a Day 3 talent but his NFL journey could be determined by whether he can get just a little bit better in all phases.”

Immediately, Sinnott could establish himself as the best blocker on the team at tight end along with providing Anthony Richardson with a reliable target in the passing game with athletic upside.

Having a move-tight end who brings the playmaking ability that Sinnott does while also being able to hold his own as a blocker can do wonders for an offense, specifically creating mismatches and adding a level of unpredictability to it.

Sinnott’s ability to move around the formation will not only create opportunities for himself to exploit but for his teammates as well.

With Sinnott able to take on a variety of responsibilities and fill a number of roles, it further opens up the playbook for Shane Steichen and allows him to better disguise what is coming because defenses can’t get a beat on what is coming pre-snap.

Sinnott could end up being the second tight end off the board behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers, and for the reasons mentioned, would be a very good addition to the Colts’ offense on Day 2 of the draft.

Panthers come away with 4-player haul in ESPN’s 3-round mock draft

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates ended up with a pretty solid three-round haul for the Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers have themselves a little golden nugget with the 33rd overall selection of the 2024 NFL draft. So, how will they cash it in?

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates just took turns churning out picks for a fresh three-round mock. And as far as Pick No. 33 goes, the former sells it off to the Los Angeles Rams for the 52nd pick, 83rd pick and a 2025 third-rounder.

After the Rams use that swap to take Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Panthers get their first shot with the 39th overall pick. Kiper goes with Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey:

I thought about cornerback and edge rusher, but this might be a great spot to add a talented wideout to one of the worst receiving corps in the league. McConkey just knows how to get open.

Next up is No. 52, where Yates takes Michigan cornerback Mike Sanristil:

Sainristil would be an excellent nickel for Carolina. He has a penchant for forcing turnovers — he had six picks in 2023 — and is standout tackler.

Kiper is then behind the wheel for No. 65, where Alabama pass rusher Chris Braswell comes off:

Braswell is another instant contributor for the Panthers in this draft. He is an underrated pass-rusher after registering eight sacks last season. Carolina’s pass rush struggled big-time in 2023.

And to wrap it up, Kansas State tight end/fullback Ben Sinnott is Kiper’s choice at No. 83:

Sinnott is my top-ranked H-back, but he can be used mostly as a tight end, especially in a thin class. His 676 receiving yards last season ranked fourth among FBS tight ends. He measured 6-foot-4 and weighed 250 pounds at the combine, and he could quickly rise to the top of the Panthers’ depth chart.

The four-player haul includes three prospects at premium positions in wideout, corner and pass rusher. Sprinkling in Sinnott, who visited the team last week, is also a solid investment given the Panthers’ lack of production from the tight end spot.

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2024 NFL draft: Giants hosted TE Ben Sinnott for visit

The New York Giants hosted Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott on a visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The tight end position is up in the air for the New York Giants.

Darren Waller hasn’t decided if he’s going to play or retire. Daniel Bellinger is young and still has untapped potential. Jack Stoll spent the last three years in Philadelphia but doesn’t have a lot to show for it, and while Chris Manhertz has been around for eight years, he has just 271 receiving yards and two touchdowns over his career.

Not only do the Giants need a tight end who can catch the ball, but they need one who can help block for Daniel Jones.

Waller had a decent season last year despite the team’s struggles, and Bellinger can certainly learn from him. But it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have another youngster come in and help push Bellinger to perform better.

That is why Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott visited the Giants on Thursday.

The Giants have some competition, though, as Sinnott also visited the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday.

Sinnott stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 245 pounds, a solid size for an NFL tight end. While at Kansas State, he recorded 82 receptions for 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also carried the ball three times for 12 yards and an additional touchdown.

If he can maintain his improvement year-over-year, something he did all three years at K-State, then he will definitely be a force in the NFL.

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Broncos met with TE Ben Sinnott at the Senior Bowl

The Broncos got a close look at Kansas State TE/FB Ben Sinnott at the Senior Bowl. He’s projected to be a mid-round pick.

The Denver Broncos had “extensive talks” with Kansas State draft prospect Ben Sinnott at the Senior Bowl, the tight end revealed during his media availability at the NFL combine in February.

The Broncos got a close look at all of the tight ends at this year’s Senior Bowl because quality control coaches Logan Kilgore (National team) Zack Grossi (American team) were assigned to coach TEs at the all-star game. Sinnott played for Grossi’s squad.

Sinnott (6-4, 250 pounds) is a tight end/fullback hybrid who ran a 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.59 seconds at the combine. He posted career highs in receptions (49), receiving yards (676) and touchdowns (six) as a senior last fall.

After earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2022 and 2023, Sinnott now projects as a mid-to-late-round prospect. If picked by the Broncos, he would likely get opportunities at both TE and FB, similar to the role that Nate Adkins played last season.

The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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