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2020 NFL Mock Draft: First round projections after Week 1

By Tanner Nestle

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his 62 yard touchdown reception thrown by Tua Tagovailoa #13 against the Clemson Tigers during the first quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his 62 yard touchdown reception thrown by Tua Tagovailoa #13 against the Clemson Tigers during the first quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Purdue Boilermakers Tight End Brycen Hopkins
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) /

player. 47. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. TE. Purdue. 32. Brycen Hopkins

Rob Gronkowski isn’t coming back and the Patriots need a tight end to replace him. Brycen Hopkins is more of a complete package at the position than some of the other tight ends available which is why I have him going here. Gronk wasn’t elite just because he was an excellent receiving threat, he was elite because he was an excellent receiving threat while also being a punishing blocker. Hopkins has that kind of dual-threat game to him.

Hopkins is still a great athlete that can be a mismatch for smaller defensive backs and slower linebackers in coverage, which is why he has the potential to go in the first round. And I should clarify that his blocking isn’t world-class, but if anybody can get him right in that regard it’s the Patriots. He’s at least a willing blocker and has experience doing it.

Hopkins should slot in nicely to a Patriots offense that utilizes tight ends frequently. The opportunities will be plentiful for him to establish himself as one of the best, young players at his position in the league. As long as Tom Brady doesn’t retire after this year.

Top 50 college football players in 2019. dark. Next

I’ll be looking for Hopkins to take a step at Purdue with Jeff Brohm affirming that he’s the  Boilermakers head coach for the long haul. Rondale Moore isn’t draft eligible this year, and he’s as electric as they come, but he won’t be able to do it all on his own.

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