Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Brycen Hopkins was one of the eight finalists for the John Mackey award, which is awarded to the nation’s most outstanding tight end during the season. He’s also considered to be one of the best NFL prospects in this year’s crop of tight ends. His productivity and athletic attributes prove why.
As a redshirt junior, Hopkins became a focal point of the Boilermakers offense catching 34 passes for 583 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 17.1 yards per reception were only the second best of his career, trailing his redshirt freshmen season in which averaged an incredible 18.3 yards per reception. His senior season was his finest all around, and garnered him his national attention, in which he caught 61 passes for 830 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Hopkins improved statistically every season and his athletic testing built impressively on that resume. Though he has good size, standing at 6’4″ and 245 pounds, he’s not the biggest tight end in this year’s class. Where he truly shines is the athletic testing, running an impressive 4.66 second time in the 40-yard dash, a 7.25 second three cone drill, and a 4.28 second 10-yard shuttle.
Hopkins is projected as a Day 2 pick. If he fell to the third round, with his athleticism, he’d be someone to consider. Luckily, the next prospects on the list more adequately fit the developmental value the Chiefs are likely looking for later in the draft.