Positional ranking: #1

Big Board ranking: #16

 

Overview

Position: TE

College: Iowa

Class: Junior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’4 1/8”

Weight: 249 lbs.

Arm length: 33 1/2″

Hand size: 9 3/4″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.50 sec.

Vertical jump: 39.5”

Broad jump: 127.0”

Bench press: 20 reps

3-cone drill: 6.81 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.22 sec.

 

Strengths

Elite blend of size, speed, and athleticism for the position. Very explosive. Dangerous in the red zone. Ideal frame and great leaping ability. Stretches the field. Separates at the top of the route. Difficult cover on out-breaking routes. Gets open on crosses and wheels. Tracks the ball well. Aware on the boundary. Catches the ball away from his body. Can get low to make a grab. Great feel against zone coverage. Runs away from defenders in the open field. Doesn’t dance with the ball in his hands. Accelerates on bubble screens. Lines up all over the formation. Too big for cornerbacks. Too fast for linebackers and safeties.

 

Weaknesses

Doesn’t play with a ton of physicality as a receiver. Prone to the occasional drop. Not a dominant in-line blocker.

 

NFL comparison

Jared Cook – Last year, Jon Gruden helped Cook reach his full potential as an athletic tight end that can line up all over the place, and Noah Fant will hopefully be similarly featured at the next level.

 

Conclusion

Overall, Noah Fant is a mismatch nightmare at tight end, as he has the size to dominate in the red zone, and the speed to run away from people. A case could be made for Fant being the first skill-position player drafted in the 2019 NFL Draft.