5/26/2016 football Edit

2017 NFL Draft: Top five tight end prospects

Adam Gorney, Mike Farrell

Rivals.com

The 2016 NFL Draft is done and rookies are already making their impressions and signing contracts. But it’s never too early to look ahead to the 2017 NFL Draft. Here are the top tight end prospects for next year's draft.

Recruiting: The top-rated tight end in the 2013 class and a five-star prospect, Howard committed to Alabama leading into his junior season over Auburn, Florida State and others.

Stats: Howard averaged three catches and 39.4 yards per game prior to the national championship game against Clemson, where he exploded for 208 yards on five catches that included his first two touchdowns of the season.

Farrell’s take: The former five-star tight end is the most athletic player I have ever scouted at the position. Simply put, Howard was a freak of nature and the fact that he hasn’t been utilized properly at Alabama is tough to figure. After his national title game performance, that could change next year.

Recruiting: The three-star prospect committed to Clemson in early March of his junior year over offers from Louisville, South Florida and Central Florida. He was the No. 13 tight end in the 2013 class.

Stats: Leggett was third on the Tigers with 40 catches for 525 yards and a team-high eight touchdown receptions.

Farrell’s take: Leggett was a tall, skinny kid coming out of high school who fell short of four-star status by a few spots and has since proven us wrong. He was under-recruited and is another great example of the Clemson staff seeing something many others missed. I honestly think he has more NFL upside than Howard because Leggett is longer and bigger.

Recruiting: A few weeks following National Signing Day 2012, Butt committed to Michigan over several Big Ten and MAC schools and others, including Stanford, Tennessee and UCLA. The Pickerington (Ohio) North standout was a lifelong Ohio State fan but was not offered by the Buckeyes.

Stats: Second on the team with 51 catches, Butt finished with 654 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The former four-star averaged 12.8 yards per reception.

Farrell’s take: The former four-star tight end is probably the most well-rounded on this list as he can block, he can catch and he can work inline and outside effectively. The NFL likes tight ends that can do it all, but they are enamored with athletic freaks, which is why Howard and Leggett are ahead of him here. A bigger year, especially in the end zone, could push him up.

Recruiting: Rated as a four-star quarterback in the 2013 class, Hodges picked Virginia Tech over offers from Ohio State, West Virginia, Illinois, Maryland and others.

Stats: Hodges was third on the Hokies with 40 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 13.3 yards per catch.

Farrell’s take: Hodges, a four-star quarterback when I scouted him in high school, has blossomed into a huge tight end who is hard to handle because he’s so big and sneaky fast downfield. He can stretch the field and also do damage over the middle. I thought he was the perfect fit as a mobile quarterback for the Hokies, but he’s been a better fit as a tight end.

Recruiting: Engram committed to Ole Miss over a majority of low-level Division I offers in the summer while on vacation in Destin, Fla., after multiple discussions with his parents. UCLA was showing a lot of interest at the time, but Engram said he felt most comfortable with the Rebels.

Stats: Engram finished tied for second on the team with 38 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns. First-round draft pick Laquon Treadwell was the main focus in Ole Miss’ offense with 82 catches.

Farrell’s take: Engram is higher on many lists, but his lack of size hurts him on the NFL scale. He’s just not a big target. He can run, he can do more with the ball closer to the line of scrimmage than most on this list but that size hurts the former three-star whose best offer aside from Ole Miss was Wake Forest.