Cleveland Browns: 2017 NFL Draft Projected Targets
By Peter Smith
Inline Tight Ends
O.J. Howard, Alabama
Age: 22 (Born Nov. 19, 1994)
Height: 6-5.625
Weight: 309 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.51s
Broad Jump: 10’1″
Vertical: 30″
3-Cone: 6.85s
Shuttle: 4.16s
Bench: 22 reps
Production: 45 receptions for 595 yards (18.8 percent), 3 touchdowns (11.5 percent)
Notes: Howard played 57 games in his Alabama career and is a tremendous blocker, yet for whatever reason, he didn’t get the ball nearly as much as his ability would suggest he should have.
Adam Shaheen, Ashland
Age: Unavailable
Height: 6-5.75
Weight: 278 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.79s
Broad Jump: 10’1″
Vertical: 32.5″
3-Cone: 7.09s
Shuttle: 4.38s
Bench: 24 reps
Production: 57 receptions for 867 (28.4 percent),16 touchdowns (25.8 percent)
Notes: Shaheen went to Pittsburgh-Johnstown as a freshman to play basketball before transferring to Ashland where he decided to play football. Dominated D-II competition and has tremendous athleticism, but is going to take some time to adjust to the NFL.
George Kittle, Iowa
Age: 23 (Born Oct. 9, 1993)
Height: 6-3.75
Weight: 247 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.52s
Broad Jump: 11′
Vertical: 35″ (38.5″ at Pro Day)
3-Cone: 6.76s
Shuttle: 4.07s
Bench: 18 reps
Production: 22 receptions for 314 yards (15.7 percent), 4 touchdowns (23.5 percent)
Notes: Born in Norman, Oklahoma but has substantial roots at Iowa including his father, a former Iowa offensive lineman and co-captain of the 1982 Rose Bowl team and his cousin, former Hawkeye tight end Henry Krieger Coble. Kittle earned Academic All-Big Ten all four years.
Mike Roberts, Toledo
Age: 22 (Born May 7, 1994)
Height: 6-4.375
Weight: 270 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.86s (mid 4.7’s at Pro Day)
Broad Jump: 9’2″
Vertical: 30″
3-Cone: 7.05s
Shuttle: 4.51s
Bench: 21 reps
Production: 45 receptions for 533 yards (12.7 percent), 16 touchdowns (34.7 percent)
Notes: Roberts struggled early in his childhood until a speech impediment and attention deficit disorder were under control, then thrived as a student, but the hole was too deep and he had to walk on at Toledo after intending to go to Ohio. He has a father that spent time in jail, lost his grandmother to cancer and his younger brother to an accidental shooting. His difficult path culminated in being named First Team All-American in his senior year.
Mason Schreck, Buffalo
Age: Unavailable
Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 253 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.76s
Broad Jump: 9’10”
Vertical: 34.5″
3-Cone: 7.36s
Shuttle: 4.27s
Bench: 22 reps
Production: 59 receptions for 651 yards (27 percent), 4 touchdowns (36.3 percent)
Notes: Schreck is a former quarterback in addition to tight end in high school and played center in basketball. In his senior season with the Bulls, he led the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Jordan Leggett, Clemson
Age: 22 (Born Jan. 31st]], 1995)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 258 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.62s
Broad Jump: 9’6″ (9’11” at Pro Day)
Vertical: 33″
3-Cone: 7.12s (7.26s at Pro Day)
Shuttle: 4.33s (4.53s at Pro Day)
Bench: 18 reps
Production: 46 receptions for 736 yards (14.6 percent), 7 touchdowns (15.5 percent)
Notes: Leggett has an attractive profile in terms of athleticism and production but he makes a lot of mental mistakes, particularly when it comes to penalties like false starts. He also is a poor blocker.
Jonnu Smith, Florida International
Age: 22 (Born Aug. 22, 1995)
Height: 6-2.75
Weight: 248 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.62s
Broad Jump: 10’7″
Vertical: 38″
3-Cone: 7.43s
Shuttle: 4.18s
Bench: 22 reps
Production: 42 receptions for 506 yards (18.6 percent), 4 touchdowns (21 percent)
Notes: Missed a game when his girlfriend poured boiling water on his head. Smith lacks ideal length and size for an inline tight end, but he’s extremely tough and is a fighter in there in addition to being a productive receiver.
Andrey Avgi, Western Oregon
Age: Unavailable
Height: 6-5
Weight: 263 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.77s
Broad Jump: 10’2″
Vertical: 35.5″
3-Cone: 6.9s
Shuttle: 4.12s
Bench: 17 reps
Production: 16 receptions for 198 yards (7.8 percent), 5 touchdowns (25 percent)
Notes: Avgi played basketball all four years at Western Oregon and played football the last two seasons. He’s not likely to be drafted but teams already seem to be shmoozing him to be a free agent afterwards to try to tap into his athletic potential. Avgi is athletic and is willing to block.
Space Tight Ends
David Njoku, Miami (FL)
Age: 20 (Born July 10, 1996)
Height: 6-3.75
Weight: 246 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.64s (4.56 at Pro Day)
Broad Jump: 11’1″
Vertical: 37.5″ (40″ at Pro Day)
3-Cone: 6.97s
Shuttle: 4.34s
Bench: 21 reps
Production: 43 receptions for 698 yards (19.5 percent), 8 touchdowns (29.6 percent)
Notes: Won national championship in boys high jump at 2014 New Balance Nationals Outdoor, clearing 6 feet, 11 inches. Tremendous athlete and won’t turn 21 until training camp.
Evan Engram, Ole Miss
Age: 22 (Born Aug. 2, 1994)
Height: 6-3.125
Weight: 234 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.42s
Broad Jump: 10’5″
Vertical: 36″
3-Cone: 6.92s
Shuttle: 4.23s
Bench: 19 reps
Production: 65 receptions for 926 yards (24.5 percent), 8 touchdowns (29.6 percent)
Notes: While technically listed as a tight end, his athleticism and skill set may cause teams to employ him as a wide receiver. Engram certainly should translate well as a big slot but could be a weapon on the boundary and overpower most corners.
Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
Age: 21 (Born Aug. 8, 1995)
Height: 6-6.125
Weight: 257 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.57s
Broad Jump: 11’2″
Vertical: 39″
3-Cone: DNP
Shuttle: 4.45s
Bench: 18 reps
Production: 48 receptions for 691 yards (18.8 percent), 7 touchdowns (22.5 percent)
Notes: Hodges was arrested and charged with public intoxication when he was 19. As offenses go, this is about as mild as it gets, so while worth noting, it’s not likely to stop the Browns or anyone else from drafting him.
Jacob Hollister, Wyoming
Age: Unavailable
Height: 6-3.625
Weight: 239 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.64s
Broad Jump: 10’1″
Vertical: 36.5″
3-Cone: 7.12s
Shuttle: 4.34s
Bench: 21 reps
Production: 32 receptions for 515 yards (16 percent), 7 touchdowns (24.1 percent)
Notes: Hollister can be used in space as a tight end or in the backfield as a receiving H-Back. His six catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns helped the Cowboys edge out the Boise State 30-28.