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Hunter Long, TE
School: Boston College | Conference: Atlantic Athletic Conference
College Experience: Redshirt Junior | Age: 22 (Week 1)?
Height / Weight: 6’5” 253 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Late 3rd-5th Round
Player Comparison: Mike Gesicki
College Statistics
Player Overview
Hunter Long is a pass-catching tight end with modest potential to become an all-around tight end with his physical build and eagerness to block. He has been a staple in Boston College’s passing offense. In 2020, Long led all tight ends in college football with 89 targets, 22 more than the second-most targeted tight end. Long led the nation with 57 receptions and collected 685 receiving yards with five touchdowns. He received second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC selection in 2020.
Strengths
- Terrific pass catcher, especially in the red zone.
- Average blocker, willing run blocker.
- Great physical build.
- Consistent catching ability (soft hands, great concentration).
- Big catch radius.
- 60 percent of catches in 2020 made first downs.
Weaknesses
- Lacks top speed.
- Needs to improve as a blocker.
- Does have possess elite athletic traits.
- Needs to run sharper routes.
- Needs to be better beating press coverage.
- Inconsistent finishing contested catches.
Let’s See His Work
How He Would Fit
Tight end is one of the weakest positions within the offensive personnel even with Logan Thomas’ breakout year. With Sprinkle a free agent and Thaddeus Moss recovering and developing on the practice squad, Washington needs a second receiving tight end for talent and depth. So far in free agency, the top receiving TE targets have been taken and it’s unlikely top TE prospect, Kyle Pitts will fall to Washington at #19 in the NFL Draft.
Long can easily step in as the second TE on the roster as he learns to improve his blocking. He can be a reliable receiving option in two-tight end sets and give our quarterback an easy target to move the chains. Long also comes with modest upside to develop into a solid jack-of-all-trades TE1.