Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
UF’s Pitts could be choice at No. 6
Miami Dolphins writer Safid Deen continues our 10-part series looking at the top prospects in the upcoming NFL draft (April 29-May 1) with the tight ends. This year’s class of tight ends may be considered top heavy with a potential top-five pick in the mix. But there are several tight ends who could be capable NFL starters and contributors in the future.
Florida’s Kyle Pitts
Pitts, who will likely be a top-10 pick, has exquisite size at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds and the catch radius teams crave for in a tight end along with sure hands and the nimble ability to adjust his body to make contested catches like a talented wide receiver.
Pitts could contend with Riley Odoms (No. 5 in 1972), Kellen Winslow Jr. (No. 6 in 2004) and Vernon Davis (No. 6 in 2006) as the highest-drafted tight end in the modern era (since 1970) depending on where he ends up going.
Pitts, who averaged 17.9 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns last season, could be drafted as early as No. 4 to the Atlanta Falcons and may be available for the Dolphins at No. 6.
Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth
Freiermuth’s junior season ended prematurely due to a shoulder injury, but the former Penn State standout showed during his college career that he can make decisive plays with the football once it reaches his hands.
Freiermuth was productive when lined up in the slot and as a H-back in the backfield, unafraid to maneuver in space and physical enough to run defenders over into the end zone. He finished his career with 1,185 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns.
He could hear his name called early on Day 2.
Miami’s Brevin Jordan
Jordan’s versatility may be his best skill set, with his ability to catch passes behind the line of scrimmage to make quick plays and get open when he’s lined up on the outside.
Jordan was Miami’s best offensive playmaker, averaging close to 13 yards per catch with 1,358 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Hurricanes.
Jordan should be a nice complementary piece for a tight-end needy team as early as Day 2 of the draft.
Notre Dame’s Tommy Tremble
Tremble may be as agile and athletic as any tight end in this class, but playing alongside two other tight ends and in a run-heavy offense hindered his overall output in college.
Tremble had just 35 catches for 401 yards and four touchdowns in his career but may have untapped potential as a pass catcher. His ability to block should also serve him well in the NFL, where he could be a promising Day 3 pick.
Boston College’s Hunter Long
Long may not flash some of the athletic prowess as some of the other top tight ends in the draft field, but he showed his ability to produce as a featured part of his college offense.
Long led the country with 57 catches on 88 targets as a tight end for 685 receiving yards with five touchdowns. He’s not flashy, but is a solid pass catcher and route runner with the ability to block for a team looking to use a late-round pick on his potential.
Best of the rest
Ole Miss’ Kenny Yeboah, Virginia’s Tony Poljan, Boise State’s John Bates, SMU’s Kylen Granson, Georgia/ FSU’s Tre’ McKitty and Michigan’s Nick Eubanks make up the rest of the tight end class, who could either hear their names called in late rounds or make an impact as undrafted free agents.
Class grade: C
Pitts’ rise into the top 10, and the separation he has from others in the tight end class, make this year’s group seem a bit underwhelming. But Freiermuth and Jordan both have first-round potential, and others like Tremble and Long could make considerable impacts in the NFL.
Teams in need
The Dolphins may not appear to be a team in need of a tight end, but Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe are coming up on the end of their rookie contracts.
Other teams like the Bills, Bengals, Texans, Titans, Chargers, Eagles, Falcons, Panthers and Rams could also be in the market for a tight end during the draft.
Dolphins’focus
If the Dolphins draft a player like Pitts, it could mean they believe he has the potential to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Gesicki may not be on the same level as Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, San Francisco’s George Kittle, Tampa Bay’s Rob Gronkowski and Green Bay’s Robert Tonyan. But he elevated his game last season, leading Miami with six touchdowns and finishing third among NFL tight ends with 703 yards.
Gesicki, Smythe and Adam Shaheen scored 11 touchdowns together, which marked the most from the Dolphins’ tight ends since 2008 — a sign Miami is comfortable with the group with all three set to return in 2021.
If Miami passes on Pitts, a player like Jordan could bode well for the Dolphins after they address needs at receiver and running back on offense.