It’s pretty simple. When the top tight end prospect headed into April’s NFL Draft has been a lifelong fan of your team, you draft him. It does not matter that the position isn’t of highest need for the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta needs to draft Arkansas’ Hunter Henry with the 50th pick in the second round.
Sure, veteran Jacob Tamme has been a dependable target at the position. Last season, Tamme finished with 59 catches for 657 yards and one touchdown. But he is also 31, and not exactly the same as Tony Gonzalez, the now retired Falcon who is considered one of the greatest to ever play the position in the NFL.
Henry could be the next Gonzalez, if the Falcons draft him. It’s a stretch, but the potential is there. At the NFL Combine last month, Henry perked up at the possibility of joining the team.
“I’ve been a Falcons fan my whole life,” Henry said. “I used to go to games when Patrick Kearney was there and with Roddy White, who is still there. [White has since been released] Tony Gonzalez probably was my favorite. He’s the best tight end ever to do it and on my favorite team.”
Atlanta may have higher needs, especially defensively, but it would be foolish to not choose Henry if he lasts until pick 50. There is not much risk when there would be no doubt that Henry was committed to the team and a quality player.
In his last season with the Razorbacks, the junior had 51 catches for 759 yards and three touchdowns. Henry won the John Mackey award as the nation’s top tight end, while also picking up consensus All-American and All-SEC first team honors. The six-foot-five, 250 pound athlete is the top prospect at the position, with a football field-sized gap between the second best.
If Atlanta picked up Henry, quarterback Matt Ryan would have opportunities to torch opposing defenses when they focused on wide receivers Julio Jones and new acquisition Mohamed Sanu.
“I think I could create a big mismatch — I know I would amongst the linebackers and the secondary,” Henry said. “You need as many threats as you can on the field. That’s a big part of the offense, so the defense can’t just key on one guy.”
Benjamin Clark is the Atlanta Falcons staff writer for EndZoneScore.com
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