The Senior Bowl is a great opportunity for these seniors to work with NFL coaching staffs and to meet with many teams. There are four tight ends that are hoping to make a splash at the next level. Over the last few years there has been a much larger emphasis on having multiple tight ends or one that is an athletic freak. Who might emerge as this year’s Jimmy Graham?
Arthur Lynch, Georgia: 6’5” 258 lbs
Lynch could very well be the best of the four tight ends that you may not know much about. He won’t be the wow pick of some of the underclassmen tight ends, but he will be a very consistent contributor. He size and power you want in someone being asked to help block but can still be a legitimate weapon for a quarterback. Lynch isn’t a guy with breakaway speed but he can sit in the zone and keep a drive alive. He is projecting as a day two selection.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa: 6’7” 265 lbs
Fiedorowicz is much like Lynch in that he isn’t one of the new breed tight ends but he can be huge in the run blocking game and making the tough catches on third down. He has been placed out in the slot but that obviously isn’t his comfort zone. Fiedorowicz will need to rely on precise route running to gain the advantage over a defender. He is projecting as a day two selection.
Gator Hoskins, Marshall: 6’2” 244 lbs
Hoskins is less of a natural tight end and more of the hybrid fullback-tight end. Hoskins role reminds me of Delaney Walker. He isn’t going to be your go to guy but a great compliment to another tight end. Hoskins is a weapon when you get near the redzone as he scored 15 touchdowns as a senior. A team would be best served by moving Hoskins around to create mismatches in the secondary and allowing him to make plays. He is projecting as a day three selection.
Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin: 6’4” 238 lbs
The casual fan most likely has no idea about Jacob Pedersen. Which really isn’t that surprising considering the Badgers are known for the running game not the passing game. Pedersen had his production in yards go up every season but his touchdown production went down. Much like Fiedorowicz, Pedersen is going to show his off his run blocking as his best attribute. He is projecting as a day three selection.