Tag: Stephen Sullivan

Colts’ 7-round mock draft 3.0

Entering the month of April, here’s a full mock draft.

The Indianapolis Colts have entered the month of April, which means the 2020 NFL draft is right around the corner—and a new crop of rookies is set to arrive in Indy.

While we still don’t have a true idea of how the Colts will go about their draft, some of the moves in free agency point toward a certain approach when they are on the clock on Day 2.

After heavily addressing the defense in free agency, here’s a look at a mock draft for the Colts entering the month of April using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator:

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

No. 34 | Ezra Cleveland | OT | Boise State

Cleveland already has ties to the Colts in the pre-draft process. He’s had contact with the Colts even though meetings are prohibited in person. Even with Anthony Castonzo returning, Cleveland would be the perfect eventual successor on the left side.

What intrigues Cleveland the most in going to the Colts is his technique on the outside. He’s very proficient in run blocking and has that aggressive, mauler attitude that the Colts love in their offensive linemen.

Couple in the fact that he’s an excellent athlete and he seems like the perfect offensive line prospect in the draft for Indy.

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2020 NFL Combine: Winners from the TE group

Overall, the tight ends group underwhelmed on the day but a few players stood out and likely separated themselves from the pack.

The 2020 NFL Combine opened their on-field drills with the tight ends group. The group began, as always, with the 40-yard-dash, but when they shifted into position drills, we were introduced to a few new drills.

Overall the group underwhelmed, and with the Lions investing heavily at the position last offseason, it would be surprising if they selected a tight end from this year’s class before the later part of Day 3.

Let’s take a look at those who did earn positive marks today.

Adam Trautman, Dayton, 6-5, 255

In the mix to potentially be the first tight end selected, Trautman ran a middle-of-the-road 4.75 40-yard-dash but looked sharp in drills — including a new blocking sled drill, where he may have been the only player to use proper technique. As one of the more balanced tight ends in the class, he will likely be selected before the Lions start looking at the position.

Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri, 6-5.5, 258

Entering the season Okwuegbunam was discussed as the potential top tight end in this class, but an underwhelming redshirt junior season that saw him put up a career-low statistical season quieted the hype around him.

The hype started back up today after he ran an official 4.49 40-yard-dash (no other tight end ran under 4.60). But, when they shifted on-field, his speed slowed in favor of improving his catch accuracy, which will leave scouts wondering if he actually plays as fast as he can run in a straight line.

Stephen Sullivan, LSU, 6-5, 248

Sullivan’s 4.66 40–yard-dash was a solid score, but when he got on the field, it was no surprise that the former wide receiver stood out in the pass-catching drills. At LSU, he took a backseat in production to Thaddeus Moss, but with the NFL’s desire to add more mismatch move tight ends, his stock could be on the rise. If the Lions don’t bring back Logan Thomas — or find his replacement in free agency — Sullivan could be a late-round target.

Notes:

  • Moss (6-2, 250, LSU) was flagged with a broken foot during medicals and was not cleared to participate.
  • Cole Kmet (6-6, 262, Notre Dame), who may challenge Trautman for top honors, didn’t do enough to stand out.
  • Hunter Bryant (6-2, 248, Washington) was expected to fly based on his game tape, but his 4.73 40-yard-dash, while respectable, was slower than expected.

LSU TE shares funny reasoning for being ‘kinda scared’ in meeting with Patriots

Even the idea of Bill Belichick is intimidating to LSU tight end Stephen Sullivan.

Even the idea of Bill Belichick is intimidating to LSU tight end Stephen Sullivan. During an informal meeting with a New England Patriots on Wednesday, Sullivan admitted to being “kinda scared” after hearing from the scout that the Patriots “work 10 times harder than everybody else.”

Why was Sullivan scared?

“Coach Belichick ain’t no joke,” Sullivan said.

Belichick wasn’t present for the interview, and yet Sullivan apparently felt his presence. And coincidentally, Belichick spent Monday, the day of Sullivan’s interviewing, working out an obscure prospect at Middle Tennessee in the middle of a rainstorm. So, yes, Belichick ain’t no joke.

Sullivan was one of at least four tight ends who met with the Patriots in an informal interview. When he spoke with the media, he didn’t know if he’d have a formal interview with the team. That interview might include Belichick.

Sullivan mostly served a backup in 2019 when he had 12 catches for 130 yards. He played only occasionally behind tight end Thaddeus Moss, son of Randy Moss.

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4 TEs who could replace Eric Ebron for Colts

Eric Ebron is likely gone. How can the Colts replace him?

Earlier in the offseason, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard made it clear they likely weren’t going to bring back tight end Eric Ebron, who is an unrestricted free agent.

Though his 2018 season was immaculate, Ebron’s 2019 campaign was disappointing and it ended with him deciding to get season-ending surgery—a decision it seems the Colts may have disagreed upon. Now, the Colts have to find his replacement.

Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, here are four tight ends the Colts could acquire to replace Ebron:

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Hunter Henry | Age: 25 | Free Agency

The Colts tight end room currently consists of Jack Doyle, who signed a three-year extension this offseason, and Mo Alie-Cox. Doyle, while great in his own right, isn’t going to be around forever. Alie-Cox is still a work in progress but a promising one. Enter Henry, who could be a gem for the Colts.

Entering free agency for the first time, there are some hopes that Henry gets to his the market. He’s an electric pass catcher and the type of talent that can help the Colts immediately while giving them a potential future at the position.

The biggest risk with Henry comes with his injury history. It hasn’t been encouraging since he entered the league. He suffered a lacerated kidney (2017), a torn ACL (2018) and a tibial plateau fracture in his left knee (2019). There is obvious risk with the injuries but that could lead to getting a discount on the market.

If the Colts want an NFL-ready tight end to make a difference in the offense, they should look no further than Henry.

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2020 Senior Bowl: Winners, losers from Day 2 practices

Draft Wire’s Gavino Borquez gives his winners and losers from Day 2 of Senior Bowl practices.

Plenty of performances stood out on Day 2 of the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

Who impressed? Who disappointed?

Here are my picks for the the biggest winners and losers from Wednesday’s on-field action:

Winner – Jordan Love | QB | Utah State

It was Justin Herbert that had the best day out of all quarterbacks on Day 1, but Love had the slight leg up today. Herbert still had a great day, but Love was fantastic. He made a lot of magnificent passes, showing his super quick, a live arm and beautiful ball placement throughout the entire duration of the practice. He had the type of the day that many believe he is the type of player that could sneak into the top-10.

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Broncos spoke with TE Stephen Sullivan at Senior Bowl

The Broncos spoke with LSU tight end Stephen Sullivan after a Senior Bowl practice this week.

The Denver Broncos spoke with LSU tight end Stephen Sullivan after a Senior Bowl practice on Jan. 21, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Campbell considers Sullivan to be the 11th-best tight end in this year’s class.

Sullivan (6-5, 242 pounds) spent time at both tight end and wide receiver with the Tigers. During his three years at LSU, Sullivan caught 46 passes for 712 yards and four touchdowns.

Denver selected tight end Noah Fant in the first round of last year’s draft and will likely add at least one more tight end this offseason. Jake Butt has struggled to stay healthy and Jeff Heuerman hasn’t quite lived up to his third-round draft status in recent seasons.

Campbell predicts that Sullivan will be selected sometime between the fourth and sixth rounds of April’s draft. Denver is projected to have four selections in that part of the draft — Sullivan might be among the mid-round candidates the team is considering.

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