Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott, a potential Josiah Deguara replacement.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers invested a pair of Top 100 picks into the tight end position during the 2023 NFL Draft, when they selected Luke Musgrave in the second round and Tucker Kraft in the third round.
That rookie duo combined for 65 receptions for 707 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season. A number that likely would have been higher if Musgrave had been healthy all season.
With those two in place, they have a pair of dynamic options at tight end for Jordan Love to target. That doesn’t mean that Brian Gutekunst won’t add another piece to that room this offseason.
Josiah Deguara is set to be a free agent and while fellow rookie Ben Sims is capable of taking on more of a role, it would not be surprising to see Gutekunst target a tight end on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.Â
A tight end that could replace Deguara in Matt LaFleur’s offense is Ben Sinnott. The Kansas State tight end checks in at No. 94 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Sinnott played football, hockey, track, tennis and baseball at Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo, Iowa enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022 for Kansas State.Â
After playing in just 12 games during his first two seasons in Manhattan, Sinnott recorded 31 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdowns. Sinnott built off his breakout season this fall by recording 49 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns.Â
“Sinnott meant a lot for K-State this season,” Drew Galloway, the Kansas State reporter for On3.com, said. “He was the one real reliable and consistent pass catcher and was a matchup nightmare in the Big 12. He is probably the best tight end in the history of the school and is a cool story. He walked onto K-State and is a rare walk-on who is leaving school early to go to the NFL.”
The first thing that stands out about Sinnott is how much Kansas State moved him around the past two seasons. They lined him up inline, in the slot, out wide and in the backfield. According to Pro Football Focus, Sinnott logged 188 snaps in the backfield, 1,031 snaps inline, 332 snaps in the slot and 33 snaps out wide.Â
“His greatest strength is his versatility,” Galloway said. “K-State lined him up all over the field this season. He can play full-back, tight end, H-back, in the slot and was split out wide a few times. He can do a little bit of everything.”
Sinnott charges hard as a blocker. He’s a physical blocker who shows an appetite for the physical side of the game. He’s able to seal running leans to help create chunk plays on the ground. At times he can look like a battering ram and he keeps his legs charging at contact.
An area where he can improve is playing under control. There are times when he looks too eager and will overextend or whiff on blocks.
“He’s a good run blocker and is a trait he’s getting better at,” Galloway said. “He wants to be a better blocker, but he’s had some struggles in that area. He’s had really good flashes blocking too, though. Against Texas Tech he set up a touchdown by pancaking two different players.”
As a pass catcher, Sinnott has natural hands and plucks the ball away from his frame. He’s quick off the line of scrimmage and has the speed to threaten safeties. As a route runner, he needs to do a better job of snapping off his routes to create separation.
Kansas State did a great job of getting him touches on tight-end screens to get him the ball in space. With his quickness and toughness, he racked up 326 yards after the catch.Â
“He brings a matchup nightmare as a pass catcher,” Galloway said. “He’s too fast for linebackers and is too big for corners or safeties. He also brings physicality as a receiver. He catches the ball and is looking for contact and is excellent in YAC situations.”
Fit with the Packers
Musgrave and Kraft give the Packers a dynamic duo at tight end that figures to cause plenty of headaches for opposing defenses for years to come through the air.
Now, let’s add a player like Sinnott to that mix, who will give teams headaches with how much he moves around and the physicality that he plays with. Â
“I would draft Sinnott because of his versatility,” Galloway said. “He has a little bit of Kyle Juszczyk and George Kittle in his game. He’s the modern-day tight end who can also play H-Back and is a good fit in every offense. His best football is in front of him too. He was a big-time hockey player in high school until electing to switch to football in college.”
It be kind of shocking to see the Packers draft a tight end after spending two Top 100 picks on the position last season. Add in how well those two played during their rookie seasons and it is reasonable to expect them to add an undrafted free agent to the room, rather than spending another pick on the position.Â
However, why not finish off that room with another young piece that would be the perfect complement to the dynamic duo? That’s where Sinnott enters the chat.Â
While Kraft and Musgrave are more than capable of doing the dirty work (Kraft almost seems to enjoy that more than catching passes), Sinnott could step in and be the punishing blocker that the Packers envisioned Deguara developing into. On top of his run-blocking chops, Sinnott has proven to be an asset in the passing game, hauling in 80 receptions over the past two seasons. Adding a player like Sinnott may not be a necessity, but he could be viewed as the final infinity stone for this young offense.Â
