Draft & Combine Profile - Brycen Hopkins | NFL.com (His old man was a pro bowler)

Brycen Hopkins
Purdue

Prospect Info

College
Purdue

Hometown
Nashville, TN

Class
r-Senior

Height
6' 4"

Weight
245 lbs

Arms
32 1/8”

Hands
10 1/8”

Prospect Grade
5.94

Combine Results

40 Yard Dash
4.66 Seconds
 
Bench Press
21 Reps
 
Vertical Jump
33.5 INCHES
 
Broad Jump
116.0 INCHES
 
3 Cone Drill
7.25 Seconds

20 Yd Shuttle
4.28 Seconds
 
Player Bio
Brycen's father, Brad, was a Pro Bowl offensive lineman for the Tennessee Titans. The younger Hopkins has proved himself a receiving threat who will interest pro scouts. He did not start playing football until he reached high school in Nashville but his genes and work ethic helped him earn second-team all-state honors as a senior. As a redshirt freshman for the Boilermakers, Hopkins played in 11 games with one start, scoring four touchdowns (10 receptions, 183 yards, 18.3 average). While he did not start any contests in 2017, his production increased (25 receptions, 349 yards, 14.0 average, three touchdowns). Hopkins became a major threat for Purdue in 2018, catching 34 passes for 583 yards (17.1 per) and two scores in 13 games (four starts). He took another step in 2019, garnering first-team Associated Press All-American, Big Ten Tight End of the Year, and first-team all-conference honors with 61 receptions for 830 yards (13.6 per) and seven touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts).

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst

Overview
Flex tight end with enough route acumen and separation quickness to open throwing windows, but modest ball skills and below-average hands can turn potential completions into drops. Hopkins' issue with catch consistency has been ongoing and is unlikely to change as a pro. While the athletic talent looks good in space, there was a noticeable drop in production and opportunities when matched against man-cover talent. Hopkins could be viewed as a one-dimensional slot tight end with Day 3 draft potential, but his issues as a pass-catcher could limit his long-term prospects.

Strengths
Has athletic traits to work with
Dashes out with good quickness and forward lean into routes
Natural and smooth getting in and out of the top of his route
Quick to search for football after climbing past coverage in the seam
Above-average feel for soft spots in zone
Possesses route-running and play speed to open a throwing window
Plays with adequate toughness
Willing to take punishment working the middle
Accelerates into collision with bigger bodies on wham blocks

Weaknesses
Schemed into several wide-open catches
Must improve play strength
Had issues ungluing from physical catch-man coverage
Troubling drop rate as pass-catcher
Hands are stiff and technique needs work
Labors to make ball adjustments to off-target throws
Poor pad level and hand usage at point of attack
Frenetic pace and body control hinder consistency as move blocker