Rookie SWOT: Hunter Henry

Matt Price Posted On May 14, 2016

Editor’s Note: As our coverage of the 2016 NFL Draft and its impact on fantasy football continues, we bring you our 2016 Rookie SWOT series. These articles will feature video highlights, combine reviews, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, short-term expectations, long-term expectations and rookie draft advice for over 30 of the best dynasty league prospects from this year’s draft. We’ll follow that up with team-by-team draft reviews because, you know, that’s kind of what we live for.

Make sure you’re ready for your dynasty league rookie draft by staying up on all these articles, checking out our rookie draft guide, rookie rankings, rookie draft cheat sheet and mock draft rooms. There are simply no better resources out there for dynasty fantasy football enthusiasts.

Name: Hunter Henry
Position: Tight End
Pro Team: San Diego Chargers
College Team: Arkansas
Draft Status: Second round, 35th overall

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Combine Review

● Height – 6’5” (54th percentile)
● Weight – 250 lbs. (31st percentile)
● Hands – 9.25” (9th percentile)
● Arm Length – 32.75” (29th percentile)
● Bench Press – 13 reps (3rd percentile)

Pro Day Review

● 40-yard dash – 4.66 seconds
● 3-cone – 7.16 seconds
● Vertical Jump – 31.5”
● Broad Jump – 113”

Video Clip

Strengths

● Great hands – 51 receptions and zero drops in 2015
● Can make plays at all three levels of the defense
● Effectively locates soft spots in zone coverage
● Tracks the ball well
● Accomplished route runner, especially in the middle of the field
● Good run blocker who is credited with being a big part of Arkansas’ successful rushing offense
● Effective against quality competition
● Ready to play from day one

Weaknesses

● No elite measurables
● Average pass blocker; needs to improve his footwork

Opportunities

Hunter Henry landed in a great situation but his opportunities will be limited until Hall of Famer Antonio Gates retires. He will certainly see the field in 2016 but more often than not it will be as a blocker which we as fantasy owners only care about if we also own a piece of the Chargers’ running game.

Threats

Antonio Gates is the obvious one, but the ascension of Keenan Allen to target hog status will ensure that Henry will never be the first option in the passing game. The Chargers also signed Travis Benjamin this offseason and Danny Woodhead is back after receiving 106 targets a year ago. Woodhead, in particular, should continue to be heavily targeted. At best, Henry is the fifth option in 2016 and likely no better than the third in 2017.

Short-term Expectations

We need to temper expectations for Henry in 2016 and perhaps 2017. The rookie is unlikely to be fantasy relevant week to week until Gates decides to call it a career.

Long-term Expectations

Once the starting gig is his, Henry should settle in the low-end TE1 range of fantasy production. He is a true three-down player who is adept as both a blocker and a receiver. There will be few reasons for Henry to ever leave the field.

NFL Comparisons

Hunter Henry is a player that often draws comparisons to Heath Miller. I think he has a bit more upside than that though and see him closer to a Jason Witten type. Witten was sneaky athletic entering the league and I think Henry will surprise defenders with his quickness despite his average showing at the combine and his pro day. Like Witten, Henry has the ability to carry a passing game when necessary but will be more effective as a secondary target behind Keenan Allen.

Projected Range for Rookie Drafts

In May rookie mocks at DLF, Henry has an average ADP of 22.6 so he will likely be gone by the end of the second round or early third at the latest. I would have no issues taking him in the mid second if you are a team that can wait for a year or two on his production.

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Matt Price

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Senior writer and co-host of the DLF Dynasty podcast, the longest running dynasty focused podcast on the planet

Creator and Co-host of Dynasty Game night, the fantasy football game show.

Creator and host of the Zookeeper Stories podcast.