Chris Herndon IV, TE
School: Miami | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 253 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 5th Round
NFL Comparison: Charles Clay
College Statistics
Player Overview
Chris Herndon came to Miami as a 3-star recruit from Norcross, Georgia. He has sat behind some prominent Miami TEs including Clive Walford and David Njoku. Herndon got to play early even though he wasn't a starter because of his blocking ability was better than those two guys. This past season Herndon finally got his chance to show what he could do as a starter and he didn't disappoint when he was on the field. Unfortunately, he tore his MCL in November and has been recovering since. Herndon isn't the athlete Njoku was but he offers solid athleticism at the position and can still mismatch against linebackers and safeties. He has natural catching ability and can cause damage on bubble routes, sluggos, and up the seam. Herndon is far from a refined blocker but he makes a solid effort and can be effective. Herndon’s draft projection is likely to drop because of his injury but he should be ready by training camp. Herndon has a lot of upside and is raw in his abilities. Time with a position coach and the opportunities to learn from veterans should accelerate his development and in a couple seasons, he could develop into a starter.
Strengths
- Good size, athleticism, and strength for the position. He has the play speed to be a danger to whoever is covering him and can turn it upfield after the catch.
- Effort and determination as a blocker are there and a lot of the time it is effective even if incredibly raw and in need of refinement. His punch is solid and he uses his base to mirror and stay in front of edge rushers.
- Can be used in a variety of formations as a receiver or blocker. He lined up in the slot, in the backfield and inline.
- Reliable as a pass catcher and can be counted on to move the chains.
Weaknesses
- Raw in just about every aspect of his came and NFL coaches will have to mold and teach him proper technique. Blocking technique needs the most refinement. He’s gotten away with a lot of lunging, poor base, hand placement, and leverage issues in college which need to be improved upon at the next level.
- Needs to play with a better sense of urgency and kill the inertia all around you can see that sometimes he’s just going through the motions.
- Doesn't have any elite athletic traits and has smallish hands and shortish arms.
- Route running needs way more attention to detail.
Let's see his work:
TE Chris Herndon (Miami) is ahead of schedule in his return from an MCL injury. One of the most complete tight ends in the 2018 draft, Herndon's versatility as a pass-catcher and blocker will give him immediate value in the league. @FirstRoundMgmt #FRM pic.twitter.com/8U7bADq1kR
— Peter Ariz (@PeterAriz) February 15, 2018
Chris Herndon IV (23), Miami U, in the beginning was a blocker TE. Hardly used as a receiver, was almost a HB of how much stayed as a blocker in the position. Great blocker, can sustain the push of DE with consistency. pic.twitter.com/hkR9ry6j98
— Lorena M. (@lmnfldraft) January 17, 2018
Chris Herndon is a really solid TE. Here outside the RT: pic.twitter.com/hsZDaZvNwS
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) November 18, 2017
How He Would Fit On The Redskins
The Eagles, Dolphins, Ravens, and Lions have all expressed interest in Herndon at some point during this draft process. He is a solid developmental prospect at the position because he has all the key physical skills and his potential will largely be determined by how much he can be coached up. Miami coach Mark Richt praised Herndon after he sustained his injury citing that him not being on the football field would be a big loss but that in addition, Herndon was a great team leader and that he was the type of player he loved to coach. Herndon ought to start his career off on special teams and could be featured in a team’s 3TE set on the goal line. To move into a starting role Herndon will have to clean up his technique. While he may never become a great tight end because of limitations with elite skills Herndon could develop into a solid TE2 because of his solid receiving ability and his ability to stay on the field for all three downs. The Redskins could use a player with his upside at the position for the two reasons I’ve already mentioned so many times but the team remains between a rock and hard place at the position when considering money, injury, and depth. Who knows if the team is interested in picking up another 5th round TE this year? If they are Herndon could be a good option.