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NFL Draft 2016 Rankings: Top 5 tight ends

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks tight end Hunter Henry (84) runs after a catch in the first half against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks tight end Hunter Henry (84) runs after a catch in the first half against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ranking the best tight end prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft, including the one player who has a chance of cracking the first round.

The tight end position has been in the spotlight in recent years in the NFL with players like Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, Greg Olsen and others giving fits to opposing defenses. They’re too big for safeties to cover and they’re too fast for linebackers to run with them in the open field and a matchup nightmare.

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NFL teams will be looking for the next wave of impact talent at the tight end position during the 2016 NFL Draft, but before that gets underway in late April, they’ll get a look at what they can do at the NFL Combine in late February.

There may not be the next Gronkowski, Graham or Olsen in this year’s draft but there will still be some talent at the position that can come in and make an immediate impact on the run and the passing game.

Entering the combine, I only think there’s one player with a legit chance of being a first round pick and that’s Arkansas Razorbacks Hunter Henry.

Henry tops my list of the five best tight ends entering the combine after being the best at the position in the SEC since he came to Arkansas three years ago.

Now, let’s take a look at the other top prospects at the tight end position.

Again, Henry can make plays all over the field and there shouldn’t be any concerns about his ability to be a conventional in-line tight end who has to do a lot of blocking in the run game based on his time at Arkansas. Plus, he can be flexed out, put in motion and make plays on the perimeter as a receiver.

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Vannett wasn’t a big part of the offense at Ohio State but he has the traits to be an NFL tight end so the combine will be his showcase to show what he didn’t get to do with the Buckeyes.

Adams, Hooper and Williams won’t project as immediate starters but can be a part of a rotation and complement their team’s starter and contribute eventually.

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