Florida’s Kyle Pitts headlines deep, but not elite, tight end class
NFL Draft Preview: Restricted Finishes
Over-all
There is 1 “sure thing” in this year’s situation group, and then there’s absolutely everyone else. Kyle Pitts jobs as a generational talent most likely to be selected in just the very first ten picks, but after that the drop-off is steep. Pat Freiermuth may possibly be the only other limited finish selected in Spherical one. But at a situation exactly where All-Pros have been observed exterior the very first round — see Rob Gronkowski (second round in 2010), Travis Kelce (third in 2013) and George Kittle (fifth in 2017) — it’s achievable to come across a diamond in the rough.
The Major ten
one. Kyle Pitts, 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, Florida. Pitts can line up all across the formation and gained the Mackey Award as the nation’s top limited finish in 2020. He completed his Gators career with one hundred receptions for one,492 yards, a college file for the situation, in addition eighteen touchdowns. He has area to grow in his blocking, but he’ll be a matchup problem in the NFL.
two. Pat Freiermuth, 6-five, 251, Penn Condition. Freiermuth’s 2020 period ended prematurely owing to shoulder operation, but not in advance of he established himself as the No. two limited finish on the board. His sixteen career TD catches are a PSU limited finish file, but he’ll need to create extra as a route-runner in purchase to get open up from person protection in the NFL.
3. Brevin Jordan, 6-two, 237, Miami. With strong route-managing and decent pace, Jordan had 105 career catches for one,358 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jordan capped his 2020 period with an 8-catch, two-touchdown efficiency in the Cheez-It Bowl as he jobs to be the seventh Hurricanes limited finish drafted considering that 2010.
4. Tommy Tremble, 6-3, 241, Notre Dame. Tremble’s stats don’t match up from the other prospective customers, as he had only 35 catches for 401 yards in his career with the Preventing Irish, which include zero touchdowns in 2020. But Tremble’s above-grade blocking means and prospective to development as a receiver aid his inventory as a mid-round prospect.
five. Tre’ McKitty, 6-4, 246, Georgia. Llike Tremble, McKitty’s stats do not tell the full story. Soon after transferring to Georgia from Florida Condition, McKitty caught 6 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown in 2020. He amazed scouts with a strong efficiency at the Senior Bowl, whilst his blocking wants improvement.
6. Hunter Extended, 6-five, 254, Boston Higher education. Extended was the very first Eagle to receive All-The usa honors by the Soccer Writers Affiliation of The usa, AP and Sporting Information in the similar year considering that Luke Kuechly in 2011. He completed with one,297 career receiving yards, and has the sizing/hands to develop into a beginning Y or decent backup at the situation.
7. Trae Barry, 6-7, 235, Jacksonville Condition. Barry starred for the FCS Gamecocks, whose period is nonetheless ongoing as they participate in in the very first round of the playoffs Saturday. He has 27 catches for 460 yards this year after creating himself nationally as a sophomore, and could be a sleeper decide on considering Berry’s prospective.
eight. Kylen Granson, 6-3, 235, SMU. Granson still left a legacy at SMU, exactly where he established a application limited finish file with fourteen career touchdowns and also completed second in career yards (one,257) and receptions (78) at the situation. He gained an invite to the Senior Bowl and jobs as a day a few decide on for a crew in need of depth.
nine. Tony Poljan, 6-6, 251, Virginia. Another Senior Bowl participant, Poljan played at Central Michigan in advance of using his ultimate year of eligibility at Virginia, exactly where he substantially boosted his draft inventory. He has the sizing to be a decent NFL blocker, but Poljan will have to evolve as a go-catcher to make an influence in the NFL.
ten. Ben Mason, 6-two, 246, Michigan. As a two-time winner of the Wolverines’ “Toughest Player” award, Mason has the intangibles irrespective of his deficiency of height. He can participate in the two common limited finish as nicely as H-back, and had seventeen catches for 1 TD in 2020. He jobs as a backup limited finish in the NFL who can enhance a starter.
Stock Growing
Kenny Yeboah, Mississippi
Yeboah caught 47 passes for 538 yards and 6 touchdowns in 4 decades at Temple in advance of expending his ultimate collegiate period at Ole Overlook, exactly where his draft prospective customers improved substantially and he gained an invite to the Senior Bowl.
Stock Falling
Matt Bushman, BYU
Soon after electing to return to BYU as a senior, Bushman ruptured his Achilles tendon in follow and did not participate in a recreation. He led the Cougars in receiving yards each and every of the prior a few seasons, but now there’s questions about his health.
Five-year craze
2016: very first-rounders
2017: 3
2018: one
2019: two
2020:
Tuesday: Offensive line.