6 rings prospect preview: running backs & tight ends
It's officially NFL draft month, which means we're coming towards a close on our 6 Rings and Football Things draft coverage.
As you know -- from now through the end of April, Andy Hart, Chris Scheim, and I will preview each position group in the NFL Draft as we get a feel for the prospects that best fit the Patriots for 2024.
This week? We hit on both the tight ends and running backs. You can watch it here:
And, in written form, here’s a look at my top five tight end prospects in the 2024 class:
Honorable Mentions:
– Tip Reiman, Illinois
– Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota
– Jaheim Bell, Florida State
– Jared Wiley, TCU
– Tanner McLachlan, Arizona
– Erick All, Iowa
No. 5 - Theo Johnson, Penn State
The big winner in the tight end department at the NFL Combine last month, Penn State’s Theo Johnson measured in at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds while tallying a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, a 39.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-5 broad jump – all of which ranked second among tight ends.
The former Nittany Lion didn’t blow up the stat sheet in college (never surpassing 350 yards in a season), but he makes the rankings off of athletic potential alone.
No. 4 - Cade Stover, Ohio State
Cade Stover, who was originally set to enter the 2023 NFL Draft, decided to stay at Ohio State for an extra season and added an additional 41 receptions, 576 yards, and seven touchdowns to his resume in the process.
He’s a raw, but tough, player in the passing game who also excels as a blocker.
No. 3 - Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Another elite blocking tight end in this class, who also has a high ceiling as a pass catcher, is Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott.
Arguably the most well-rounded TE in the class, Sinnott’s 6-foot-4, 245-pound frame makes him tough to bring down and also gives him an advantage in contest catch opportunities. A bonus? He can play fullback, too.
No. 2 - Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
Part of Texas’ three-headed receiving monster this last season, former tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders hauled in 45 passes for 682 yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Quinn Ewers this season.
The former Longhorn has enough speed in his game to also split out as a wide receiver, making him an intriguing add to just about any offense. He could go as high as the early second-round.
No. 1 - Brock Bowers, Georgia
The only first-round tight end prospect is Georgia’s Brock Bowers.
Arguably a top-three skill position player in the entire class, the former Bulldog stands at 6-foot-4 and is an athletic specimen.
Following a 63-catch, 972-yard, seven-touchdown season in 2022, Bowers returned to Athens in ‘23 and added 56 more catches for 714 yards and another six touchdowns to his resume. He’s lightning quick for a tight end, and his ability to break tackles in the open field against anyone he's matched up against separates him from the rest of the playmakers in his class.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
Related
