Back like we never left, we bring you another round of prospect rankings, and with the recent breaking news from Austin, it feels as good a time as any to look at our incoming tight ends. However, before that, we would like to offer a special place in our article to the lone offensive lineman in the class, LilCringer Kendrick. The 6'6", 333 lb former Cougar hails from Elk Grove, California, and despite what people may think about his position, he's as much an athlete as anybody in the class. Kendrick is likely the strongest individual member of the class, and he ranks among the smartest as well; his blocking techniques could use some work, but in due time, Kendrick shows true promise to work his way to the top of the depth chart. I fully expect Kendrick to be a top consideration for all GMs in the DSFL draft, and I hope he finds great success in the league.
Now, for the tight ends, as usual starting at the rear of the field.
3. Michael Doud, TE, University of Texas: The 6'5", 255 Doud, a former Longhorn, is one smart cookie; his intelligence ranks first among the crop of tight ends. Unfortunately, that's about all the praise we can shed on the Plano, TX native, as he doesn't particularly stand out in any other respect of the game. The twenty-one year old has been quiet thus far, so his best bet to make a splash and up his draft stock is to start making some noise; otherwise, he should clearly be left for last among the tight ends of the class, and likely will fall to late in the draft.
2. Brennen Biletnikoff, TE, Arizona State University: At 6'6", 265, Biletnikoff boasts good size and solid physical ratings, as the strongest, fastest, and most durable member of this class of tight ends. The biggest concern for the former Sun Devil is his blocking ability; the Arlington, VA native has decent hands, but he projects to be a better receiver than he is a blocker, not a good sign for a tight end claiming to be a balanced player. No doubt twenty-one year old Biletnikoff has work to do on his blocking fundamentals leading up to the draft if he wants to improve his stock, but if he has been doing so, he, like Doud, has been quiet about his work. Maybe it's time for the tight ends of this class to start making some waves, especially considering the news from Austin.
1. Honda Edmond, TE, University of Michigan: As a proud Golden Gopher, I'm kicking myself for having the 6'5", 250 lb Edmond, a former Wolverine, at the top of this list; however, numbers don't lie, and the twenty-one year old with mysterious origins appears to have the best numbers of this crop. Edmond has slightly better hands than either of Doud or Biletnikoff, and there's no doubt who the best blocking tight end in this class is; plus, Edmond's agility is top of the class as well, meaning we may get to see some spectacular plays in the passing game for Edmond when he's not busy providing support in the trenches. Edmond is making the most noise of the prospects in this class of tight ends by far and away, so expect him to go first among them, and expect it to be earlier than you'd think given how late he declared.
Now, for the tight ends, as usual starting at the rear of the field.
3. Michael Doud, TE, University of Texas: The 6'5", 255 Doud, a former Longhorn, is one smart cookie; his intelligence ranks first among the crop of tight ends. Unfortunately, that's about all the praise we can shed on the Plano, TX native, as he doesn't particularly stand out in any other respect of the game. The twenty-one year old has been quiet thus far, so his best bet to make a splash and up his draft stock is to start making some noise; otherwise, he should clearly be left for last among the tight ends of the class, and likely will fall to late in the draft.
2. Brennen Biletnikoff, TE, Arizona State University: At 6'6", 265, Biletnikoff boasts good size and solid physical ratings, as the strongest, fastest, and most durable member of this class of tight ends. The biggest concern for the former Sun Devil is his blocking ability; the Arlington, VA native has decent hands, but he projects to be a better receiver than he is a blocker, not a good sign for a tight end claiming to be a balanced player. No doubt twenty-one year old Biletnikoff has work to do on his blocking fundamentals leading up to the draft if he wants to improve his stock, but if he has been doing so, he, like Doud, has been quiet about his work. Maybe it's time for the tight ends of this class to start making some waves, especially considering the news from Austin.
1. Honda Edmond, TE, University of Michigan: As a proud Golden Gopher, I'm kicking myself for having the 6'5", 250 lb Edmond, a former Wolverine, at the top of this list; however, numbers don't lie, and the twenty-one year old with mysterious origins appears to have the best numbers of this crop. Edmond has slightly better hands than either of Doud or Biletnikoff, and there's no doubt who the best blocking tight end in this class is; plus, Edmond's agility is top of the class as well, meaning we may get to see some spectacular plays in the passing game for Edmond when he's not busy providing support in the trenches. Edmond is making the most noise of the prospects in this class of tight ends by far and away, so expect him to go first among them, and expect it to be earlier than you'd think given how late he declared.