Apr
6
2010
 |
Aaron Hernandez
|
Non-position specific categories
Category |
Max. Value |
Grade |
| Height/Weight | 6 | 4 |
| Speed | 8 | 7 |
| Quickness/Agility | 10 | 8.5 |
| Strength/Explosion | 10 | 7 |
| Athletic Ability | 8 | 7 |
| Durability | 8 | 8 |
| Character | 6 | 4.5 |
| Production/Experience | 6 | 4.5 |
| Toughness | 8 | 7 |
| Potential | 10 | 8 |
Tight Ends Specific Categories
Category |
Max. Value |
Grade |
| Blocking | 8 | 2 |
| Hands | 8 | 8 |
| Route Running/Separation | 8 | 7.5 |
| Red Zone Threat | 8 | 6 |
Strengths
An excellent pass catcher. Does a nice job getting the ball at the highest point and has good control of his body. Uses his hands to catch and rarely lets a ball get into his body. Has the speed to create separation against most inside coverage. Very good after the catch and knows how to make a defender miss. Solid route runner.
Weaknesses
Not a quality blocker by any means. Shows lack of effort as a blocker, reaches, and does not sustain blocks. May be limited to an H-back role in the NFL due to his size. Strength is questionable. Has trouble getting through the press at the line. There are concerns about some off-field issues that Florida has kept close to the vest.
Analysis
Hernandez is far from the most complete tight end in the draft, but he may be the best receiving tight end. A pure pass catcher, Hernandez is a wide receiver in a tight end’s body. He has the quickness, football smarts, and physical ability to create separation and make plays at the next level. Though he’ll probably play more of an H-back role for an NFL team, that doesn’t mean he won’t be a solid contributor. If Hernandez can land on a team that likes to spread the defense out and doesn’t ask him to block much, he could have himself a very nice NFL career.
Experience
Started every game in 2009. Started 11 of 13 games in 2008 in place of Cornelius Ingram. Saw action in 13 games as a true freshman in 2007.
Awards and Honors
2009: John Mackey Award winner (best tight end). Sporting News and AP First-Team All-American. First-team All-SEC selection at tight end by the Associated Press, the league’s head coaches and Phil Steele.
2008: n/a
2007: Honorable Mention Freshman All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com.
Academics
Social and behavioral sciences major at Florida.
Bloodlines
Father, Dennis, played defensive back at UConn and brother, D.J., played both WR and QB for UConn.
Injuries
No history of injuries.
| Year | Rec | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
| 2009 | 68 | 850 | 12.5 | 64 | 5 |
| 2008 | 34 | 381 | 11.2 | 38 | 5 |
| 2007 | 9 | 151 | 16.8 | 55 | 2 |
Disagree with our scouting report? Think we’ve left something out? Maybe you’ve seen something we just haven’t. Thanks okay! Leave your own scouting report using the comments feature at the bottom of the page. We at Draft Breakdown value your opinion and we’d love to hear it. This feature is available on all of our scouting reports, articles and blogs. Help keep Draft Breakdown a one stop shop for all your NFL Draft needs!
Will Spencer
Will is the founder and President of Draft Breakdown & has been scouting draft prospects since 2002. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including the USA Today Draft Preview Magazine, the official website of the Baltimore Ravens, Ravens Insider and The Orange and Brown Report. Will has previous playing experience as a defensive end in the AFA, is currently a member of the Football Writers Association of America and graduated from the SMWW Football Scouting course in 2009.
Follow Will on Twitter @draftbreakdown. See all posts for Will Spencer
