Underrated Tight Ends in the 2017 NFL Draft
This tight end class has some players at the top that everyone seems to agree are the cream of the crop – Alabama’s O.J. Howard, Miami’s David Njoku, and Ole Miss’ Evan Engram. However, there are several prospects who are being severely underrated and undervalued projected later in the draft. Today, I examine their film and explain what each prospect does well that makes them that makes them potential draft diamonds.
Jordan Leggett, Clemson.
Games Watched: 2015 vs Georgia Tech, 2015/2016 vs Alabama, 2015/2016 vs Florida State, 2015 vs North Carolina, 2015 vs South Carolina, 2016 vs Virginia Tech
With how stacked this draft is at the top at the tight end position, Clemson’s Jordan Leggett has been underrated by many draft analysts. In 48 career games – with 38 starts – at Clemson over four years, Leggett brings consistency and a well-rounded game to the table. A natural starter at the next level, Leggett offers a lot of potential as a strong blocker and dynamic receiver. He offers some freaky athleticism and will likely be a combine warrior with a great vertical jump as well as receiving drills. His huge catch radius and frame can be used on 50-50 balls and fades well, but he showed at Clemson that he can be used as even a screen option with and be used on short routes. His blocking style has a mean streak to it and his hand placement and athleticism supplant the run game well. Leggett offers a developed route tree and the ability to be a threat at all three levels of the field – especially in the intermediate area, where he makes his money off of spot and crossing routes.
Cole Hikutini, Louisville.
Games Watched: 2016 vs Florida State, 2016 vs Kentucky, 2016 vs Georgia Tech, 2016 vs Clemson
2016 vs Marshall, 2015 vs Texas A&M
Louisville tight end Cole Hikutini has had a winding path to get to the position he’s in. A two-star recruit coming out of high school, Hikutini initially spent two years at FCS school Sacramento State, but then transferred to JUCO City College of San Francisco, where he spent a year. Hikutini then went to Louisville, where he was a reliable threat for two years. He profiles as a big threat and primary blocker at the next level, where he excels. The Louisville offensive line was largely inconsistent this past season and Hikutini served a s a primary blocker and receiver for Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. His awareness in space, footwork, and hand placement are all refined and make up his blocking technique. Hikutini sets the edge well and can open up lanes by driving defenders back and away from the runner. He also adjusts well for the football and can be used as a jump ball threat with a good ability to bring the ball in to his body with his catch radius and to high point the football. Hikutini is sudden making breaks and wins off of drag and cross routes. He can break tackles with power and speed along the sideline.
Scott Orndoff, Pittsburgh.
Games Watched: 2016 vs Clemson, 2016 vs North Carolina, 2016 vs Miami, 2016 vs Virginia Tech
Pitt tight end Scott Orndoff is not even mentioned or ranked in the top twenty for many draft analysts, but has been a reliable target throughout his time in college and served as a top target for Nate Peterman the last two seasons. Orndoff profiles as an in-line blocker and intermediate threat at the next level. His ability to high point the football and make catches through contact is very nice, and he is just gritty all-around. He’s physical as a blocker and has good hand placement and strength to create lanes for those behind him. Orndoff creates separation as a route runner off of clean breaks and can succeed off of a variety of separation as well as being surprisingly explosive off of the line of scrimmage. In the air Orndoff can adjust and high point the ball to make athletic grabs. The bottom line is that he can be a Day 3 steal for a team looking for a developmental tight end.
Michael Roberts, Toledo.
Games Watched: 2016 vs App State, 2016 vs BYU, 2016 vs Western Michigan
Michael Roberts had a breakout year in his senior season. In two seasons previously, Roberts had only played in twelve game combined with one start, but in his senior season, he had thirteen games with thirteen starts. He erupted with sixteen total touchdowns on 45 receptions, totaling 533 yards. In a single season, Roberts had more total touchdowns than O.J. Howard and David Njoku – two of the top tight ends in this class – had in their entire careers. Roberts should be able to carve out a role as a red zone threat in the NFL, where he brings a 6’5” and 270-pound frame and also brings the ability to box out defenders and break tackles with power. Considering that he only has a season of full starting reps, Roberts brings a ton of developable potential for an NFL team to utilize. He might not be a lead guy at the next level, but Roberts should be in the conversation as one of the best Day 3 tight ends available and one that teams can carve out a specific niche for.
