The New York Jets take a juicy name in tight end Chris Herndon out of Miami in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
The New York Jets added the best tight end on the board at this point by selecting Christopher Herndon out of the University of Miami.
He’s coming off a big injury (torn MCL in 2017) and is more thought of as a receiver, but don’t get it wrong, he’s an extremely capable blocker. Blocking is a funny thing—just because you’re big and strong doesn’t mean you’ll be good at it. Over half the battle is effort and Herndon is a willing blocker.
You don’t usually see that from tight ends anymore who consider themselves glorified wide receivers in these spread attacks.
But the important thing is Herndon can make explosive plays. Are they consistent and do they happen all the time? No. If they did, I think he would’ve been a first-round pick.
You’ve got to continue to surround your franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold with weapons and that is exactly what the green and white did with this selection.
Herndon only adds to the athleticism that already existed in the team’s tight end room, making it six tight ends on the roster.
- Chris Herndon
- Bucky Hodges
- Jordan Leggett
- Neil Sterling
- Eric Tomlinson
- Clive Walford
That said, you can never have enough tight ends, especially when you’re the Jets.
The Jets surprisingly got into a penny-pinching battle with Austin Seferian-Jenkins this offseason and let him walk. Herndon helps to fill the gaping hole that ASJ left when he walked out the door.
The NFL has gotten creative in how these later-round picks will be announced. For example, with pick No. 107, the Jets had a child from the Goryeb Children’s Hospital to announce the selection.
Day 3 of #NFLDraft starting: @NYJets fourth-round pick (No. 107) to be announced by a child at the Goryeb Children's Hospital
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) April 28, 2018