Top 5 Tight Ends in the 2017 NFL Draft

1). O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Height: 6-5. Weight: 249. Arm: 33.88. Hand: 10.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.

Reminds me a lot of the Panthers Greg Olsen, the only difference being that Howard at this stage of his career is a lot better blocker than Olsen was when he came out of Miami. I believe only elite linebackers will have a prayer of covering Howard. His skill set is the best in a few years at tight end. He is comparable also to the Bengals Tyler Eifert but faster. He has the speed to beat zone coverage but is also excellent at finding the soft spots in zone defenses.

2).  David Njoku, TE, Miami
Height: 6-4. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.

Njoku reminds a lot of scouts of Vernon Davis, he is a freakish athlete who can go up and get 50/50 balls. Maybe more importantly, he has the size and strength to develop into a blocker at the NFL level also.

3). Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Height: 6-3. Weight: 235. Arm: 32.33. Hand: 10.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.

Engram raised his draft stock with an excellent week at the Senior Bowl. He is a great route runner with terrific hands, he can be a liability as a blocker. Maybe the most impressive thing about Engram was that he had outstanding games against Florida State and Alabama, his speed gets him picked before the end of the second round.

4). Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 227. Arm: 32.88. Hand: 8.25.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.

Everett has been compared to the Redskins Jordan reed. Everett will be a legit receiving threat in the NFL and will go either in the second round or early in the third round.

5). Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland
Height: 6-6. Weight: 277.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.

The more NFL teams see of ShaHeen the more they will fall in love with this freakish athlete. He is thickly built but surprisingly fast. He will get big time love at the combine where I think he will raise the eyebrows of NFL scouts everywhere.