Riggo's Rag
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Riggo’s Rag quarter-season draft prospects position rankings

By Matthew Valdovinos

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on September 22, 2018 in E (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on September 22, 2018 in E (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 21: Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes catches a first down pass over Godwin Igwebuike #16 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 21, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 21: Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes catches a first down pass over Godwin Igwebuike #16 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 21, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Tight Ends

No. 5 – Kaden Smith – Stanford

Good NFL size, but doesn’t have great speed. Has shown improvement as a route runner since last season. Does his best work when cutting through the middle of the field, in between the hashes. Has good enough hands. Willing as a blocker, but does a poor jobs with his hands and lets defenders across his face to easily.

No. 4 – Dawson Knox – Ole Miss

Former quarterback, which means he understands overages, and can out himself where he needs to be when he needs to be there. Excellent speed, can move in out of breaks easily and quickly. Reminds me a lot of Jordan Reed, but a little bigger. Yeah, imagine that. However, being compared to Reed does have it’s negatives, like blocking. Knox is a weapon in the passing game, but a liability as a blocker, which hurts his value. Also lacks much production, this season he has only four catches so far.

No. 3 – Albert Okwuegbunam – Mizzou

Great size, 6-foot-5 and filled in at 260. Great hands with a huge catch radius. Doesn’t have great speed and runs extremely sloppy routes. Stepped up when asked to in the game against Georgia and became Drew Lock’s No. 1 target. Must improve as a blocker and route runner if he wants to become and NFL starter, but has Pro Bowl potential.

No. 2 – Caleb Wilson – UCLA

An injury plagued season last year, and a rebuilding year for UCLA this year means a lack of production from Wilson. However, great hands, size, and speed tell a different tale. Wilson presents a mismatch, and has a natural ability to create separation. Willing as a blocker, but doesn’t have great strength to move defensive lineman.

No. 1 – Noah Fant – Iowa

Fant is an elite talent. 6-foot-5 with legit 4.4 speed. Deadly in the red zone, considering a third of his receptions have gone for touchdowns. Capable and willing blocker.Underused at Iowa, Fant is the NFL’s next great tight end, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets picked in the top 16 picks of next year’s NFL Draft.

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