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NFL Draft Scouting report: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas

Former Arkansas tight end and top prospect Hunter Henry is profiled and evaluated for the 2016 NFL Draft.

Hunter Henry – Arkansas Razorbacks

Position: Tight End

Height: 6’5’’

Weight: 250

Year: Junior

Hometown: Little Rock, AR

Experience: Sr. – 3 year starter

 

Measurables:

40 yard: DNP

Broad jump: DNP

Vertical: DNP

3-cone: DNP

20yd. Shuttle: DNP

Bench Press: 13 reps

 

Career Notes:

As a consensus first-team All-American and John Mackey Award winner, which goes to the best tight end in the nation, it’s easy to see why Henry is widely regarded as the top tight end prospect coming out of college.

Henry’s 2015 season was nothing short of impressive—a year where he led the Razorbacks in receiving in with 51 receptions for 739 yards and three touchdowns, the junior tight end was an early-entry to the draft this spring after he decided to forego his senior season at Arkansas.

As a three-year starter for the Razorbacks, Henry leaves college with a whopping 116 receptions for 1,661 receiving yards, nine touchdowns, and an impressive 14.3 yards per catch average. One of his most impressive performances was ironically his last in a Razorbacks uniform, where he recorded five receptions for 92 yards under the national spotlight in the Liberty Bowl as Arkansas went on to trounce Kansas State 45-23.

With little left to prove, the Arkansas native now heads to the NFL Draft as the year’s top combo tight end and a likely first or second-round draft selection.

 

Injury Report:

*No significant injuries in college that have caused him to miss a start.

 

Career Stats:

 

Analysis:

Speed/Quickness: (4.0/5.0)

Henry is quick off the snap and fast in-and-out of his breaks, which is an attribute to his route running, but also speaks to his footwork and speed downfield. Although not a classic “burner,” Henry possesses adequate enough straight-line speed to create separation down the seam when matched up in coverage against linebackers or safeties.

Even though it would have been intriguing to see how Henry compares to his peers if he would have ran at the Combine, on tape his speed seems sufficient enough to be an effective weapon in the passing game. He can streak across the field in crossing routes or quickly get behind the second level of the defense to find openings on intermediate routes.

Route Running: (4.5/5.0)

Although athletic and fast, Henry’s polished route-running ability one of the strengths of his game and the primary reason for why he consistently creates separation downfield. His sharp breaks out of his route progression allow him to create some separation and get in position to make a play on the ball even when he’s blanketed by a defender in coverage, which also makes him an effective redzone target in close quarters.

He also demonstrates proficiency in the entire route tree, whether it be streaking down the seam, breaking to the sideline, working the underneath of zone coverage on a curl, or running crossing or slant patterns to expose holes in the second level of the defense, Henry can do it all effectively.

More of a smooth than explosive athlete, Henry moves well in space and shows a good awareness by finding soft spots in coverage to setting in or adjusts his route progression to give his quarterback an optimum throwing window to complete the pass.

Hands: (5.0/5.0)

In 2015, Henry caught 51 passes without a single drop—an incredible feet for any player, let alone a team’s top receiving target. On tape Henry shows soft hands, which allows him to the pluck the ball out of the air or absorb a bullet pass across the middle without missing a beat. He hauled in plenty of one-handed highlight-reel receptions, especially when working the sidelines, showing his impressive concentration, let alone a big catch radius.

Henry also shows a lot of resolve and courage, as he routinely makes tough contested catches in traffic and holds on to the ball even when taking a shot from a linebacker or safety. Henry also shows an incredible sense of timing to jump and high-point the ball with a defender on him. His ability to make plays in coverage brings a nice dynamic to a team looking for a playmaking tight end in their offense.

YAC Ability: (4.0/5.0)

Although not necessarily the strength of his game, Henry shows a decent ability to gain yards after the catch. He’s fast and athletic enough to turn it upfield and gain extra yards after a reception, but his ability to break tackles in the openfield is only adequate. He will fight for extra yards and fall forward upon contact, but he isn’t going to make a lot of defenders miss out in space.

Blocking: (3.5/5.0)

Henry may be the best combo tight end in this draft class. While not an elite run blocker, he’s very solid in this aspect of the game and possesses the strength to hold the point of attack well. He can play as an in-line blocker and square off against defensive ends or chip a defensive tackle and work his way to the second level to get his hands on a linebacker. He’s especially good moving in motion and then providing a kick-back block to open up cutback lanes for the halfback.

He can struggle at times against bigger defensive lineman, or will get turned at times, showing he still needs to get stronger and play with better technique in this area of the game. Even though Henry could still make gains as a blocker and work on being more consistent, his wiliness to stick his nose in the trenches, while also blocking with a certain tenacity, make his game well-balanced heading to the next level.

Summary:

Henry is the most versatile and well-balanced tight end prospect in this year’s draft class. His ability to effectively play as a traditional in-line tight end, line up in the backfield as an H-back, or line up in the slot or out wide in the passing game, demonstrate the impressive range of his game. He can fulfill any tight end role in the NFL, making him a valuable commodity at the position heading into the draft.

And even though he led Arkansas in receiving as a junior, he could have been featured even more in the Razorbacks offense and seen even better production in college. On film, he consistently gets open down after down, but the inconsistent quarterback play over his collegiate career limited his production and opportunities. He should be the first tight end off the board this spring and potential impact player at the position at the next level.

Overall Grade: (4.20/5.0)

 

If drafted by the Packers:

Anyone who watched Green Bay in 2015 knows it’s no secret the team desperately needs help at the tight end position, and this is not necessarily a criticism of Richard Rodgers. Rodgers has his strengths he brings to the table, but the Packers lack depth and playmaking ability at tight end. Currently, they don’t possess a big athletic receiving target that can create mismatches over the middle of the field. They also need a player at the position to be reliable blocker in the run game—something Rodgers falls well short of.

Henry can fulfill both needs at the position. Much in the mold of Jason Witten, Henry can make an impact as a blocker in the run game on early downs, but then release from the line and make plays over the middle of the field in the passing game. The Packers need a legitimate threat down the seam, which will keep opposing safeties and inside linebackers honest in coverage, and consequently, open things up on the boundary and underneath for their wide receivers.

Every good offense in the NFL needs a way to deliver body blows to a defense throughout the game, whether this be an effective inside running game or a big receiving target to work the intermediate area of the field and pick apart the middle of a defense. Since Jermichael Finley’s departure, the Packers have been missing a big receiving target to do this effectively, and with Eddie Lacy’s struggles last season, this shortcoming on offense was exacerbated.

Although not the athlete Finley was, Henry is a reliable receiver with strong hands and a knack for creating separation in coverage and getting open. He would offer a surge to a Packers passing offense that took a major step backwards last season with Jordy Nelson sidelined.

 

Video:

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Comments (11)

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holmesmd's picture

March 09, 2016 at 03:21 pm

No disrespect to this young man but if they draft him at #27, I'm burning all of my jerseys. Lol. He may be a solid TE on a few years but he's not a 1st round talent. TT won't reach for him in the first. Bennet is a far superior talent to HH even at his age. If the Bears cut him, I think he will be in GB. TE class in this draft is weak. This is one of 2 positions on the whole roster that a FA should be a priority. ILB is the other IMO but it looks like that won't happen? Too bad, come on TT!

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NickPerry's picture

March 09, 2016 at 06:19 pm

Not me, Judging by this writers grades he thinks highly of him too. We know without a shadow of doubt that Thompson isn't signing a TE in Free Agency and Henry IS good enough to contribute his rookie year. Hell just run him down the seam.

Bennett is right up there with his brother, he's a real wanker, a cancer in a locker room which I'm sure the Packers could handle but why? He's going early in the second if not the bottom of the first. I can think of players I'd rather the Packers draft with their 1st pick, but I wouldn't be highly upset if Hunter was our pick.

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holmesmd's picture

March 09, 2016 at 06:53 pm

Bennett is eccentric but I'm certainly not sure he is a cancer. He's an outspoken character that says some stupid stuff. That's not a cancer in my mind. He's better than this kid on day one. If the Bears cut him, it's a no brainer. HH isn't as fast as you think he is. GB will go DL, OLB, or inside LB at #27. Hell, they will take a receiver before a marginal TE. Just my opinion

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WKUPackFan's picture

March 10, 2016 at 05:22 am

Several issues with Bennett, besides the goofy stuff, which doesn't seem to be huge deal (albeit concerning).

1. We don't know how he fits into the "system";
2. The price will be very high, especially considering what Fleener and Allen signed for; and
3. It would be much better to get a cost controlled rookie to keep several years. He doesn't have to be an instant starter. RR can provide adequate service until a Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, or Tyler Higbee gets up to speed.

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holmesmd's picture

March 10, 2016 at 06:11 pm

If Bennet gets released by Chicago, he will cost less...not more. He is one of the most complete TE's in the NFL. I don't know what you mean about "fitting into scheme"? Any player from another system has a challenge to assimilate. Who cares if he's been on a winning team? He's a TE, not a QB. Bennet has abused our defense regularly since he's been in Chicago. He's a very good player. Sleep on him if you want to but he would be an immediate upgrade. He's fast, can run routes, break tackles, block, and has good hands. He's a considerably more accomplished player than RR, new system or not.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 10, 2016 at 12:31 am

Henry looks like a complete TE, but other than outstanding hands, I don't see 1st rd talent. His blocking looked pretty good overall but it looked better against Miss. St. than it looked against Kansas St. I wonder how it would have looked against Bama? I do see good route running with the ability to gain separation out of his breaks, but I see ordinary quickness and just adequate straight-line speed. He'd be an upgrade but I say he is a 2nd rounder.

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NickPerry's picture

March 10, 2016 at 05:45 am

If Ragland is there or Reed, Lee, Floyd, (Billings, Doubtful), even Ogbah to name a few in round 1, but I wouldn't be overly upset if Thompson did draft Henry. There's also the fact I highly doubt TT would draft Hunter Henry in Rd. 1 either.

The Packers should be able to get a quality DL in the 1st or 2rd round in this draft, one that could help in 2016.

I also really like Vannett from OSU. I have a feeling his stock will go up at his Pro Day, depending on his 40 time.

If TT went after Zack Brown or Freeman, the ILB from the Titans and Colts in Free Agency they could really focus on DL, OL, TE, and OLB in the first few rounds. The decent TE are all signed in Free Agency already so we know Ted had NO intention of signing one in FA, not at UW Pro Day.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 10, 2016 at 09:57 am

I concur. I think there will be some guys at #27 that I like a lot better than Henry, though. I'd love a OLB (I view OLB as the #1 priority since finding talent there is hard to do and ILB as the #1 need, but I am willing to wait for a 2nd to 3rd/4th rounder for ILB). I'd love Calhoun - ok, probably gone already or Dodd who might just be there - or a DE, but would settle for a DT.

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holmesmd's picture

March 10, 2016 at 06:18 pm

We don't need Levond Kirkland (RR). It's not the 90's. We need a chase backer like Lee, Smith, or Shazier from last year. We have big slow guys already at the position. Why would we draft a 260 lb ILB who is only 22 yrs old! God, can't imagine he would have trouble with his weight?! Lol. I like what Ragland did a lot at Bama. He's a very good football player. He's just not what we need at the position. HH will not be drafted by the Packers in the first round. I'll bet my house on it. Pay Bennet as a 2-3 year patch and wait to see what the next draft classes bring. A Rod ain't getting any younger.

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vj_ostrowski's picture

March 10, 2016 at 06:06 pm

I'm no draft expert, but I'm not taking Henry (or any TE that isn't comparable to the big Polish party animal) in the first round. Henry's athleticism is maybe only a hair better than Richard Rodgers, honestly.

Also, take this with a grain of salt because again, I'm no expert, but: Packer fans, myself included, have been missing Jermichael Finley.

Take a look at Jerell Adams. Very similar size (he's a tad lighter than JMike was). Jerell just edges him out on every Combine test. Jerell's college production was almost identical too.

He may not turn out to be Finley, but on paper he sure looks like Finley. And he's the only TE in the draft that actually gets me excited. I'd take him as high as our second rounder, but just watch - he'll probably go in the 3rd, before we get a chance to take him.

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vj_ostrowski's picture

March 10, 2016 at 06:07 pm

To add: watch some tape on him on draft breakdown. He had a terrible quarterback, but he was always fighting for that ball. And when he catches it, he turns and runs with ease and confidence. Always looks for extra yards. We wouldn't have a YAC problem with this kid, like we do wth Dick Rodgers

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