As we delve into the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason, our attention has now shifted to the 2016 NFL Draft as it relates to the prospects. From now until the draft takes place, we hope to profile as many draft prospects as we possibly can for you. Most of these player profiles will be centered around prospects the Steelers are likely to have interest in.
Being as the Steelers might have an interest in drafting another tight end this year, we will kick this year’s draft profiles off with a look at Arkansas’s Hunter Henry.
#84 – Hunter Henry/TE Arkansas: 6’5 253
The Good:
– Has size and build of all-around tight end
– Adequate top-end speed and able to get free releases off of line
– Understands defenses and has ability to find soft areas of zones
– Used a lot as end-of-line blocker out of three-point stance
– Nice body control and can make combative catches
– Above average run blocker who understands angles
– Shows competency as a pass blocker
– Quick to the tuck as a receiver
– Did line up in the slot some
– Faced quality competition in SEC
The Bad:
– Doesn’t always pluck the ball out of air
– Has a tendency to slide off of blocks too easily
– Will lunge occasionally
– Needs to play to the whistle every down
– Could use more lower body strength
Other:
– Father played tackle for Arkansas from 1988-1991
– 2015 John Mackey Award winner
– Consensus first team All-American (AFCA, AP, TSN, WC)
– Reportedly no drops in 2015
– Turned 21 in December
– Declared for draft as an underclassmen
– Production increased every season
Tape Breakdown:
Over the course of the three games that I watched of Henry, he proved to be more than an adequate run blocker on the end of the line of scrimmage.