5 tight ends the Vikings could select in the 2019 NFL Draft
By Matt Falk
Zach Gentry (Michigan)
Measurements:
Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 265 pounds
2018 Stats:
- 32 catches, 514 yards, 2 touchdowns
Gentry’s size alone will make him an attractive options in the later rounds. At 6-foot-8, 265 pounds, he towers over opposing defenders.
During his college career, he used his massive wingspan to go up and get balls nobody else would even have a chance at. His hands are average and his route running needs some finesse, but with his size he can still make an impact on the field.
Where Gentry needs to improve upon is getting stronger so he can use his size to his advantage at the point of attack.
Teams will view Gentry as a project who could pay off in the long run. If he can manage to beef up and iron out some of his mechanics, he could end up being a steal. It isn’t too often you have a guy of his size come out in the draft, which will help his case for getting selected.
Gentry could push for Minnesota’s third tight end spot as a rookie and also be an interesting guy to store away on the practice squad for a year. If the Vikings happen to miss out on a guy they had their eyes on in the early rounds, a project like Gentry could be very appealing back up plan.
Kyle Rudolph has at least one year left in Minnesota, so at this point, it isn’t a must to get an early-round tight end
When all is said and done, Gentry probably comes off the board anywhere from round six to going completely undrafted. If he in fact does go undrafted, he will be a hot commodity as an undrafted free agent.