PFF scouting report: Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford

CORVALLIS, OR - SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end Austin Hooper #18 of the Stanford Cardinal drags cornerback Larry Scott #15 of the Oregon State Beavers into the end zone as he scores a touchdown in the first quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on September 25, 2015 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Below is the PFF draft profile for Stanford's Austin Hooper, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.

Position fit:

Tight end

Stat to know:

Top-20 graded tight end in the Power-5 each of the past two seasons

Combine stats:

Height: 6-4
Weight: 254
Arm length: 33 ¾ inches
Hand size: 10 ⅝ inches
40-yard dash: 4.72
Broad jump: 9-9
Vertical jump: 33 inches
Bench: 19
3-cone drill: 7.00
20-yard shuttle: 4.32
60-yard shuttle: 11.93

What he does best:

• Agility and quickness for a big man. All the physical tools to be a receiving threat in the NFL
• Made some amazing catches in traffic. Great body control and timing. Seven catches graded at +1.0 or higher
• Has some “move” tight end experience and capabilities. Can run every route asked of him from slot or out wide. 56 percent in-line, 39 percent of snaps from slot, and five percent split wide

Biggest concern:

• While he made some ridiculous catches, he doesn’t look like a natural pass catcher when out in space. Awkward attacking the ball and it led to 10 drops in 84 opportunities over the past two seasons
• Gives solid effort as a run blocker though he can get very lunge-y. Doesn’t profile to much more than middle-of-the-road in that aspect
• Runs routes too upright. Doesn’t get low and explode at the break point. Costs him some separation

Player comparison:

Lance Kendricks, St. Louis Rams. Hooper doesn’t have the H-Back experience of Kendricks, but as tight ends they are similar. Both have the requisite athleticism coupled with some annoying drops.

Bottom line:

A fairly safe bet as an NFL tight end. Hooper has already competently run a ton of blocking concepts and routes that he’ll be asked to perform at the next level. His upside as a pass catcher, however, seems limited.

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