Analysis: Tight ends

Miami Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly breaks down the 2017 NFL draft one position at a time in a 10-part series.

1. Alabama’s O.J. Howard: Howard’s athleticism, quick feet, technique and functional strength make him the total package. He’s the cleanest tight end prospect to enter the draft since Eric Ebron, who was selected10th overall in 2014.

2. Miami’sDavidNjoku: Njoku is an athletic seam threat weapon who has a knack for separating from linebackers and catching touchdowns (eight last season) in the red zone. He onlyhadoneseason of highlevel production and needs to improve as an in-line blocker, but his upside is tremendous.

3. Mississippi’s Evan Engram: Engram is what NFLinsiders call a “rockedup receiver” because he’s got the speed to play outside as awide out and the size to play inside. However, he’s too short (6-3, 234 pounds) to be considered a traditional tight end. Engram should be able to create scoring opportunities in the red zone.

4. SouthAlabama’sGerald Everett: The smallschool tight end dominated (1,584 yards and 13 touchdowns in three seasons) against inferior talent, but Everett needs to work on a few things to reach his full potential in the NFL. Everett’s small frame (6-3, 239 pounds) indicates that he’ll be utilized as an H-back at the next level.

5. Arkansas’ Jeremy Sprinkle: Sprinkle, who played behind Hunter Henry for all but one season at Arkansas, is this draft’s best in-line blocker. He has respectable hands and good body control, so Sprinkle could develop into a passcatching weapon despite contributing just 71 receptions throughout his career for the Razorbacks.