2017 NFL Draft: Best class of tight ends in recent memory

The 2017 NFL Draft is talent-rich at a number of positions, but perhaps none more than the tight end position, which is fully stocked…

The 2017 NFL Draft class isn’t known for having a can’t-miss franchise quarterback. It’s got star power at the running back position, a deep group of edge players, a ton of cornerbacks, and one of the fastest players we have ever seen (Washington WR John Ross).

I have personally been a huge fan of watching and evaluating the NFL Draft since I was a kid. Starting in the late 90s, my passion for the draft ramped up when I became a huge fan of Texas running back Ricky Williams, and has only blossomed from there. Every year since then, I have exhausted any and every resource to follow the draft and every prospect closely.

With all of that being said, since I have been watching the draft and covering it and following closely, I can never remember a class of players at the tight end position that was as talented and dynamic as the class of 2017.

Before actually seeing these guys take an NFL field, it’s easy to see the star power.

Whatever your personal rankings at the position, NFL teams have got to be chomping at the bit to get any one of these guys on their roster, and for me, it starts with Alabama’s O.J. Howard.

Howard has been absolutely outstanding the last two seasons, and passed on the opportunity to be the best tight end in the 2016 NFL Draft for the chance to be the best tight end in this year’s draft. He continued to develop his craft at Alabama, where he wasn’t always used the proper amount in the passing game, but was perhaps the MVP of the ‘Bama offense.

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In my eyes, Howard is the most complete tight end prospect I have seen coming out at least since Rob Gronkowski in 2010.

After Howard, you can take your pick with a number of ultra-athletic pass catching options at the tight end position. David Njoku out of Miami is the top tight end on some boards. Evan Engram has proven his undeniable athletic ability and that he can be a major mismatch in the passing game.

Bucky Hodges out of Virginia Tech and Jordan Leggett of Clemson are possible day two selections. Gerald Everett (South Alabama) and Jonnu Smith are a couple of guys that, in other years, might be considered among the top five at the position. This class is just that deep.

There are even some ‘sleeper’ players like Adam Shaheen of Ashland and George Kittle from Iowa. This class is so deep, you may be getting starting caliber players well into day three of the draft.

These guys are big, athletic pass catchers, but they are also (for the most part) capable and willing blockers.

This is a group to be excited about, and whatever player your team drafts has a chance to be special. Some may have a higher ceiling, but this group is full of guys that I would consider to be starter quality players at the next level right away as rookies.

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