NFL Draft: 5 TEs the Falcons could target after Round 1
Although the Falcons have been heavily linked with Florida’s Kyle Pitts, the need for a tight end is considerably small. Atlanta traded for Lee Smith, signed Ryan Becker, and Hayden Hurst is still under contract.
Nonetheless, the Falcons have nine draft picks and could use one of those picks on a tight end outside of the first round. Here are five potential targets.
Pat Freiermuth - Penn State
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Projection: Rounds 2 - 3 Freiermuth was the focal point of Penn State's offense in 2020. Per Pro football Focus, Freiermuth saw 27.8 percent of all the team's passing targets. His best area of the field is between the hash and he has an impressive route tree. The big tight end is willing and able to absorb hits. But while Freiermuth is a solid run blocker and has no issues getting to the second level, his pass protection skills will need some work at the next level.
Brevin Jordan - Miami
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Projection: Rounds 3 - 5 In a lot of ways, Jordan's game resembles that of top-rated TE Kyle Pitts, and would be a decent consolation prize if Atlanta goes a different direction in the first round. Jordan has the versatility and athleticism to be a threat both flexed out on the perimeter and inside between the hash. Despite his impressive versatility, Jordan doesn't have the ability to go above the rim and struggles to bring in the ball when contested.
Hunter Long - Boston College
Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Projection: Rounds 3 - 6 In a lot of ways, Boston College's Hunter Long has a very similar skill set to Penn State's Pat Freiermuth. Long is a much better in-line blocker and can get to the second level, but not at a consistent rate. However, this is an area where he could still develop. Long had 57 catches for 685 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2020.
Tre' McKitty - Georgia
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY
Projection: Round 6 - UDFA There's not really much to excite fans with this pick. He is decent as a pass-catcher, his preferred role, and can be about average when asked to block. McKitty does have adequate speed and provides you the possibility to add yards after the catch. However, his lack of route running and concerns at the point of attack are a major knock on his game. He's also very lackadaisical when attempting to make a catch in traffic. For the better part of McKitty's career, he will be a third tight end for most teams.
Tony Poljan - Virginia
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Projection: Round 6 - UDA This quarterback-turned-tight end is comparable to fellow Falcons tight end Lee Smith. Both are very tall tight ends with Poljan a towering 6-foot-7. The Virginia product is a very strong and powerful blocker. He will have problem moving defenders in the NFL. However, he does sometimes play to his height and fails to get proper leverage at the point of attack. Also, given his lack of experience at the tight end position, his route tree and pass-catching abilities aren't all there yet.
1
1
