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2020 Senior Bowl TE Preview: Sleepers exist behind Hopkins

By Jacob Schyvinck

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 29: Tight end Brycen Hopkins #89 of the Purdue Boilermakers steps into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskersat Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 29: Tight end Brycen Hopkins #89 of the Purdue Boilermakers steps into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskersat Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Brycen Hopkins 2020 NFL Draft
Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images /

Brycen Hopkins, Purdue

There is a true leader in the clubhouse at the tight end position for the Senior Bowl, and that is Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins. Hopkins was the favorite to end up as TE1 as the 2019 college season began, and it was easy to see why. He is a great receiving tight end who high points the ball so well and has a great catch radius. Hopkins has soft hands and moves well as a route runner for being 6’5″ and 245 pounds. He finished 2019 with 830 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.

So why has he fallen on boards a bit as we turn to draft season. Teams want the full package at the tight end position. They want to see a player with the receiving ability Hopkins has along with the ability to play inline and be effective as a run blocker, something Hopkins doesn’t do very often. When he does, it’s often a struggle.

What does Hopkins need to do this week to prove he’s worth an early day two selection and get back to the TE1 conversation? For one, he needs to go out and dominate in drills as a route runner and make fools of the linebackers. Hopkins also can show off that catch radius in red zone drills.

If teams can see some potential to play inline, he could move back up boards.

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