2017 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Tight ends (Final)

theScore's 2017 draft prospect rankings are compiled by NFL editor Dan Wilkins, breaking down the top talents and potential sleepers at every position group.

Overall
Top 50
Offense
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G/C
Defense
DL | EDGE | LB | CB | S

Top Talents

O.J. Howard

Don't let the relative lack of college production fool you - Howard is an elite tight end prospect. While it's fair to wonder why Alabama wouldn't more frequently look to unleash such a talent in the passing game, the impact he had as a receiver in a pair of national title games against Clemson does well to demonstrate his clear upside in that regard. With athleticism to match his 6-foot-6, 251-pound frame, along with ball skills and playmaking ability after the catch, Howard should be a dangerous target early on.

What truly sets him apart, and likely explains why Alabama was content to not maximize his athleticism elsewhere, is Howard's proficiency when used in a more traditional way. Whether it's at the line or downfield in space, Howard is a phenomenal blocker. At a time when offensive-line play around the league is quickly trending in the wrong direction, having such a player who can also be a top playmaker in the passing game is a best-case scenario. Howard could be the highest-drafted tight end since Vernon Davis went No. 6 overall in 2006.

David Njoku

A stellar junior season saw Njoku begin to close the gap on Howard among the top tight ends in this class, and a similarly well-rounded skill set should garner him plenty of consideration on the opening night of the draft. The Miami standout's ceiling is sky-high, primarily due to his freak athleticism. And though a 4.64-second 40 time saw Njoku check in well behind some of the top tight ends in this class, the clear explosiveness in his game was confirmed with impressive jump scores at the combine.

As a receiver, Njoku is a true big-play threat who can line up as a matchup player all over the field. He creates separation with his athleticism and route-running, can go up and win over the top of defenders, and he's exceptional at creating yards after the catch. While his blocking hasn't reached the same level of dominance, the clear willingness and baseline skills he's flashed in that area should have teams comfortable enough to put him on the line where necessary. All this, and he doesn't even turn 21 until July.

Evan Engram

Engram isn't a traditional tight end like Howard - and to a lesser extent, Njoku - in that he won't offer much as a blocker. But that's certainly not a prerequisite for him to have value and be incredibly effective in the NFL. In the mold of Jimmy Graham, Engram is essentially a big-bodied wide receiver who can be moved all over the field and create matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.

The Ole Miss product's athletic profile was confirmed during combine workouts, where, at 6-foot-3, 234 pounds, he posted a 4.42-second 40 time that was far and away tops among tight ends. He runs precise routes, shows quickness out of his breaks, makes plays at all levels of the field, and is comfortable navigating through traffic and finding zones over the middle. An already strong offense, perhaps even that of a team selecting toward the end of the first round, that lands Engram and deploys him as a "big slot" or "move" tight end could be lethal.

Bucky Hodges

Given that so much of his production came while lined up out wide, Hodges can't be considered a polished tight end prospect by any stretch. But, as is the case with so many draft picks, this one would be all about upside. Hodges is one of the most impressive athletic specimens in a stacked position group. Despite his imposing 6-foot-6, 257-pound frame, he posted scores near the top of the bunch in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, and 60-yard shuttle.

While his still blocking needs plenty of work, Hodges has the size and frame to further develop that area of his game. And immediately upon making the transition to the NFL, there isn't a defensive back or linebacker who wouldn't be hard-pressed to match up with his size and leaping ability. He's a Day 1 contributor, both in the vertical game and the red zone, with the ceiling for his skill set to expand far beyond those areas.

Jake Butt

Butt is another rare tight end prospect who's already a reliable in-line blocker. While he may lack the athleticism of other top tight ends in today's game, his strong hands and ability to work the middle of the field still give him plenty of value as a receiver.

The primary factor working against Butt is a torn ACL suffered in Michigan's bowl game, and medical evaluations of his progress will go a long way toward determining how early his name is called. Butt has expressed confidence that he's ahead of schedule and potentially on track for July, and if team doctors agree, that could lock him in as a mid-round pick. Either way, the long-term value is there, given Butt's ability to contribute in all phases of an offensive game plan.

Best of the rest

• Gerald Everett is another balanced tight end prospect who can be used in a number of different ways, most notably being moved all around the field to create mismatches against either smaller or slower defenders in space. While Everett's relative lack of size would seemingly hint at the ever-common "tweener" status, the South Alabama product also contributes as a blocker. Adding some size to his frame could allow for further development in that regard at the next level.
• The Adam Shaheen hype train has been full steam ahead within football media circles, and it's easy to see why. A strong blocker at 6-foot-6, 278 pounds, he's essentially a sixth lineman up front. But he also has far more speed and subtle quickness than one could reasonably expect from a player of that size. While he's facing a significant jump in moving from Division II Ashland to an NFL field, the rare traits give Shaheen some undeniable long-term potential.
• Jordan Leggett did a little bit of everything for a highly productive offense at Clemson, including emerging as a top target for Deshaun Watson over the last two seasons. Leggett's pro day 40 time of 4.71 can be considered a disappointment, but his ball skills and experience lining up all over the field are promising, and give him a chance of settling into a nice complementary role.

Potential sleepers

Michael Roberts, Toledo

Roberts put together an incredible senior season at Toledo, racking up 16 receiving touchdowns and finishing second only to top receiver prospect Corey Davis among MAC leaders. A 6-foot-4, 270-pound frame gives Roberts the option of boxing out defenders to haul in passes, and he also packs a powerful punch as an in-line blocker. Pro teams can work with those skills.

Phazahn Odom, Fordham

The type of player you'd ideally like to sneak onto your practice squad for a year or two, Odom is without question a project. The transition from Fordham all the way to the NFL is daunting, and he's still raw in his development. But an athletic pass-catcher who stands 6-foot-8 will always be worth a gamble at the end of a draft, or at worst, as a priority free-agent signing. Odom's physical gifts give him the potential to be a nearly unstoppable red-zone target.

Overall
Top 50
Offense
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G/C
Defense
DL | EDGE | LB | CB | S

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)