2016 NFL Draft: Would TE Hunter Henry fit with the Giants?

Arkansas' Hunter Henry led all collegiate tight ends in receiving yards last season. With 14.5 yards gained per reception, Henry was undoubtedly the guy who kept defensive coordinators up at night. This is a guy who won the John Mackey Award, first team All-American and is now widely regarded as the somewhat definitive No.1 TE in the 2016 NFL Draft, and best of all, there's a strong chance he's available for the New York Giants, should they want to go that direction.

Measurables

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 250 pounds

Arm Length: 32 3/4"

Hand Size: 9 1/4"

Pros

• Clear-cut top TE in the draft.
• Has the speed and catch ability to dictate defensive looks.
• Fits the new mold of NFL receiving TEs.
• Could be a strong red-zone threat.
• Hangs onto the ball in traffic, absorbs blows.
• Good option as an attached TE, who can chip and run.

Cons

• Not a strong pass-blocker, better at run-blocking, but not suited to a "blocking TE" role.
• His size differential versus college competition contributed to production.
• Likely not a first-year starter, and would be better used initally as a package player.

Prospect Video

Big Board Rankings

Big Blue View - 41st

Mocking The Draft - 35th

CBS - 52nd

Draft Tek - 42nd

Does He Fit With the Giants?

If he fits, it will be because Ben McAdoo has gone full-blown Green Bay Packers with his scheme. Henry is not a blocking-type TE, and his pro-comparison is more along the lines of Jermichael Finley -- a big-bodied receiver who can draw the defense in different directions. We saw a little more of the receiving TEs in New York last year, but it's clear that the Giants would still like the TE to retain a lot of blocking duties, and Henry could still be that guy who motions into the backfield for the run-game, but on passing plays I doubt he could hold up against NFL edge rushers.

We know McAdoo is a pass-happy coordinator, and a player like Henry might be right up his alley, but if the Arkansas TE lands with the Giants, it'll be an indicator of what McAdoo has planned for his offense in his first year of unbridled control.

Final Thoughts

As the top TE in the draft, Henry is likely to go no later than the second round, and even then, is likely closer to being a late first-rounder than early third-rounder. He falls right into the projection window for the Giants' 40th overall pick, and if the team go defense with their first pick, it makes sense to add someone for the offense right after. I think, what it comes down to, is would you rather play with Henry than against him? And the answer to that is a resounding yes. Guys like Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski and Jason Witten have defined their respective opponents' gameplans in recent years. For once, the Giants could be on the right side of that problem.