New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Prospects: Tight Ends

Adam Breneman, UMass

First up is the UMass Minuteman himself, Adam Breneman! Since he does play for such a small school, many people don’t know who Breneman is, but that will change today.

The former Penn State Nittany Lion was redshirted in 2014 and missed almost all 2015 with injuries. After transferring to UMass, Breneman led all FBS tight ends with 70 receptions and was second in the nation with 808 yards and eight touchdowns in 2016. 

Not only does the man have the talent on the field, he has it off the field. Breneman graduated from Penn State, which shows how smart and how quick a learner he is.

The rising redshirt senior is six-foot-four and weighs 250 pounds, giving him NFL-caliber size. Having played (and had success) at a power five school while he was at Penn State, no one should consider Breneman’s numbers last year (or this year) a fluke since he is playing at a school with less competition.

The biggest challenge for Breneman will be going another full season without missing a game with injuries. Once you get the injury bug it’s really hard to lose, but with two full seasons injury free, Breneman can prove his injuries are a thing of the past.

Breneman has the most fluctuation on where he is ranked of any prospect so far in our series. Some (like me) see him as the best tight end available and worthy of a late first or early second round pick. Others, however, see him as a mid to late round guy who can end up being a decent tight end.

What better way to help a young QB than a great tight end? If the New York Jets offered me a job, I’d tell them to keep close eyes on Adam Breneman. I’d even consider trading for a second first round pick (like the Cleveland Browns did for David Njoku). If he is available when the Jets pick in the second round, then he has to be taken (assuming he is injury free).