Notre Dame product tops odds for first tight ends taken in 2020 NFL Draft

There are only so many elite tight ends in the NFL, and several teams will be aiming to get their hands on one in the 2020 draft. None of the players up for grabs seem like surefire stars, but the frontrunner to be drafted first comes from a school with a history of producing pro talent at the position. Odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet (-110) has the best odds of having his name called first, and he will become the latest in a long line of tight ends the Fighting Irish have sent to the pros. Current players include Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Eifert. Kmet didn’t do much in his first two seasons, but had a career year as a junior in which he hauled in 43 passes for 551 yards and six scores. He’s not very effective as a blocker right now, but his 6’6” frame and ability to create separation could give him the range to play in the slot.

Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins (+600) ranked second in the country in receiving yards (830) among tight ends and tied for first in touchdowns catches (7). However, his drop rate was above 10% for four straight years. That won’t fly if you want to be a starter in the NFL, but Hopkins has the physical tools to entice teams.

LSU’s Thaddeus Moss (+800) has some of the best NFL pedigree around, as he is the son of the great Randy Moss. Although his production was limited during his freshman season at NC State, he notched 47 receptions for 570 yards and two scores — two of which came in the national championship — with the Tigers. He peaked at the right time in college, and that could help him go higher than expected.

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