2020 NFL Draft: Top 20 tight end prospect rankings and analysis
The prospects in this second tier of 2020 NFL Draft tight ends have the potential to be very impactful players at the next level but have one thing or another holding them back. Whether they are too one dimensional, have great upside but lack refinement at this point in their careers or have some other factor working against them, they just don’t have what it takes right now to be a true number one tight end in the NFL.
5. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Brycen Hopkins is undoubtedly one of the best receiving threats in this tight end class, but he is definitely not a blocker. He was hardly asked to do so at Purdue and when he was, it was more of a stand in front of the defender and put his hands out.
But as a receiver, Hopkins is dynamic. He is a sound route runner with great ball skills and is very effective after the catch. He suffers drops from time to time but his playmaking ability is top-notch. He will need to be more consistent as a pass-catcher at the next level and will need to bulk up if a team wants to play him on the end of the line consistently.
But split out into the slot and even out of the tight end spot, Hopkins’ size, speed and athleticism will be a match-up nightmare, allowing him to be productive early in his career as he rounds out his game.
6. Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Thaddeus Moss, son of former NFL great wide receiver Randy Moss, is actually a better blocker than a receiver, believe it or not. Moss is a very strong and powerful blocker with great technique in run support and pass protection.
As a receiver, Moss lacked production throughout his career but came on strong when his team needed him the most in the College Football Playoffs. He is a good route runner and has very good hands. He obviously has the genes to succeed as an athlete and with more time and training could be a viable starting tight end in the NFL.
7. Cheyenne “C.J.” O’Grady, Arkansas
Cheyenne or C.J. O’Grady is a fairly versatile tight end. He is very effective as a run blocker. He is quick to engage a defender and holds his ground and is very good at getting to the second level.
He is an effective target in the red zone (most touchdowns by a tight end in school history) and is very tough to bring down once he catches the ball down the field. He has very good ball skills and is effective on check and release plays, getting the ball in his hands early. With the ball in his hands, O’Grady is very tough to bring down, especially by smaller defensive backs.
O’Grady comes with some character concerns, as he was suspended his freshman season for a DWI and left the team early this past year with a “mutual agreement” with the head coach.
O’Grady may go undrafted because of these legitimate concerns, but if he can get these cleared up and he continues to develop as a route runner, he could be a starting tight end in the NFL and be a steal as part of the 2020 NFL Draft class.
8. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Harrison Bryant is an ultra-productive “tight end” who primarily lined up in the slot at FAU. He’s not an overly nuanced route runner and won’t excel against tight man-to-man coverage at the next level but has a great feel against zone and gets a good release against man coverage out of the slot.
He isn’t a great blocker but is willing and relatively capable at the end of the line and especially out in space. He has good ball skills and is very good with the ball in his hands. Bryant will have to grow as a blocker and learn to operate more as an inline tight end if he wants to succeed in that role in the NFL, but he could definitely contribute as a flex end that spends a lot of time in the slot early in his career.
9. Hunter Bryant, Washington
Hunter Bryant is really more of a big slot receiver than a true tight end. He lined up out there much more often than as an inline tight end at Washington, and his lack of blocking ability is probably a big reason why.
He may line up at tight end to get matched up on some slower linebackers since he isn’t big enough to be a real consistent size mismatch against DBs at the next level. Bryant is a solid route runner and his 4.74 40 is not indicative of how he plays. He has great hands and ball skills and is very good with the ball in his hands. He only scored five touchdowns in his college career, which is not optimal as a tight end prospect, but he is a capable red zone target and can finish off runs.
It will be interesting to see how teams view Hunter Bryant and how he will be used at the next level. He should definitely be able to contribute as a target in the passing game, at least in certain situations, while he continues to develop and round out his game.
10. Devin Asiasi, UCLA
Devin Asiasi isn’t the most spectacular tight end prospect, but he does pretty much everything relatively well. He shows will and toughness as a blocker but will need to improve his technique and consistency as an inline blocker at the next level.
He is a fairly good route runner who has some nice suddenness at the stem of his route. He has solid hands and decent ball skills. He is impressive with the ball in his hands and if he is able to get to the secondary it is very tough for defensive backs to bring him down.
A late bloomer, Asiasi should continue to grow as a prospect with a relatively high floor as a decent backup tight end who could become a playmaker if he learns how to use his body and athleticism a little better. If a team sees potential in Asiasi, they should love what he brings to the table right away and could be a fairly early pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.