NFL Draft 2019: What prospects could move into the first round?

1. Jace Sternberger, Tight End, Texas A&M

The retirement of Rob Gronkowski has likely pushed every tight end in the draft up the draft board, and Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger will be no exception.

There are two reasons why this movement will happen. First, there is so much talk right now about the value and importance of a versatile, pass-catching tight end in any offense. Gronk is the reason (or at least a primary one) why teams feel that way. What he was able to accomplish for the Patriots increased the earning potential of every tight end in the foreseeable future of the NFL.

Second, it seems likely that New England will target a tight end in the first round of the draft. If that’s true, teams that might have been waiting until the top of the second round will have to look towards the bottom of the first round to take their pick.

The Raiders come to mind here after losing Jared Cook in free agency. The Texans and the Titans also make some sense as landing spots. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the Vikings make a move; or the Chiefs to go tight end in the first round. The Jaguars and the Jets could be targeted as teams that might jump in front of the Patriots for one of the top guys.

All of this being said, Sternberger is the player most likely to benefit by being selected earlier than anticipated. It seems like a forgone conclusion that both players from Iowa (Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson will be selected in the first round. Yet with the influx of players in the market for a new pass catcher, players like Alabama’s Irv Smith and Sternberger are likely to reap the rewards.

Sternberger will make some noise at the next level. And, that prospect, coupled with a league looking to make big investments in the tight end position, should see his name shoot up draft boards later this month.