MOBILE, Ala. – The consensus among most draft evaluators is this year's class of tight ends is chock full of talent. It could be one of the deeper classes of tight ends in a long time.
It's also pretty unanimous among those evaluators that underclassmen make up the top of the class. Those names include: T.J. Hockenson (Iowa), Noah Fant (Iowa), Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama), Kaden Smith (Stanford) and Caleb Wilson (UCLA). The first senior that shows up on a lot of those lists is Boston College's Tommy Sweeney, who is down here competing in this week's Senior Bowl.
Sweeney thinks that being able to showcase his skills in front of NFL talent evaluators in a competitive football setting this week gives him an edge on his younger peers at the position.
"It's an extra week in front of NFL scouts playing against senior competition," Sweeney said. "This is another week you get right in front of the scout's eyes. You're playing for NFL coaches, you're running NFL blocking schemes and pass games."
View photos from the first practice of the 2019 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) drops back to pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of North Carolina State (11) carries the ball as North defensive back Amani Oruwariye of Penn State (21) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North tight end Tommy Sweeney of Boston College (89) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke (17) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of North Carolina State (11) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Andy Isabella of UMASS (5) carries the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jaylen Smith of Louisville (12) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke (17) throws pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Andy Isabella of UMASS (5) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Ryan Finley of North Carolina State (15) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South fullback Trevon Wesco of West Virginia (88) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Andy Isabella of UMASS (5) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South center Ross Pierschbacher of Alabama (71) and South defensive tackle Daylon Mack of Texas A&M (34) runs blocking drills during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South center Elgton Jenkins of Mississippi State (74) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jaylen Smith of Louisville (12) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Dax Raymond of Utah State (87) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of North Carolina State (11) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke (17) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North center Garrett Bradbury of North Carolina State (65) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North offensive tackle Dalton Risner of Kansas State (71) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South running back Bruce Anderson of North Dakota State (4) carries the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North offensive guard Beau Benzschawel of Wisconsin (66) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Dax Raymond of Utah State (87) catches a pass as South safety Juan Thornhill of Virginia (21) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) talks with South head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South running back Bruce Anderson of North Dakota State (4) carries the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs of Alabama (49) stretches during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North fullback Alec Ingold of Wisconsin (45) carries the ball after a reception during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Trace McSorley of Penn State (9) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Trace McSorley of Penn State (9) stretches with teammates during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South offensive tackle Dennis Daley of South Carolina (78) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Dax Raymond of Utah State (87) catches a pass as South safety Darius West of Kentucky (25) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Tyree Jackson of Buffalo (3) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) throws a pass as South quarterback Jarrett Stidham of Auburn (8) watches during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Tyree Jackson of Buffalo (3) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Terry McLaurin of Ohio State (10) carries the ball after a reception during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Foster Moreau of LSU (18) catches a pass as South safety Darius West of Kentucky (25) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Drew Lock of Missouri (3) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) hands off to South running back Ryquell Armstead of Temple (25) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South center Ross Pierschbacher of Alabama (71) gets ready to snap the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of North Carolina State (11) catches pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Trace McSorley of Penn State (9) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Alex Wesley of Northern Colorado (81) carries the ball during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Ryan Finley of North Carolina State (15) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South tight end Josh Oliver of San Jose State (89) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Will Grier of West Virginia (7) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders walks the field during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North running back Karan Higdon of Michigan (22) carries the ball as North outside linebacker Dre Greenlaw of Arkansas (36) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North offensive tackle Kaleb McGary of Washington (58) runs blocking drills with North center Erik McCoy of Texas A&M (78) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Trace McSorley of Penn State (9) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Drew Lock of Missouri (3) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Jarrett Stidham of Auburn (8) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) roll out to pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North tight end Drew Sample of Washington (88) catches a pass as North safety Darnell Savage of Maryland (4) defends during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke (17) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North wide receiver Terry McLaurin of Ohio State (10) carries the ball after a reception during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North quarterback Ryan Finley of North Carolina State (15) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Washington State (16) throws a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South wide receiver Hunter Renfrow of Clemson (13) catches a pass during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South center Ross Pierschbacher of Alabama (71) runs drills with South defensive tackle Daylon Mack of Texas A&M (34) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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Sweeney was good in the North Team practice Tuesday, showing off an ability to both block on the edge and make plays in the passing game. He had a particularly nice catch deep down the sideline in 7-on-7 drills from quarterback Daniel Jones of Duke.
Being good as both a pass catcher and run blocker is a big part of Sweeney's game, and it's what he hopes sets him apart from the rest of the tight ends.
It could be something that interests the Lions if they are on the lookout for help at the tight end position this offseason. New Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is very multiple in his schemes, something that attracted the Lions to him, according to general manager Bob Quinn.
"He's been in a couple different offenses," Quinn told SiriusXM NFL radio in an interview with Gil Brandt and Alex Marvez Monday. "Really threw the ball around a lot in Green Bay early in his career, had kind of a run-based attack in Minnesota and Seattle, but he can do some West Coast stuff, he can do a ground-and-pound. It's going to be a little bit of a mix of everything and that's something that really kind of led us to Darrell in the end."
It seems like Sweeney's versatile skillset could be a good fit for an offense like that.
"People run the ball all the time in the NFL," he said. "You can't really just be a one-faceted player. I think as far as being able to do both, being versatile, you're on the field all the time in pass situation and run situation and the defense can't key into a tendency whether you're out there or not. I think that's really what sets me apart, being a combo tight end."
Sweeney caught 32 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns this past season. He caught 36 balls for 512 yards and four scores as a junior. Boston College also rushed for 2,610 yards as a team this past season with a 4.1 average and 23 touchdowns. They were balanced in an era of pass-dominated offenses in the college game, which should make Sweeney an interesting option at the position for teams looking for a tight end that can do it all.
Sweeney (6-4, 253) was asked if there's an NFL tight end he admires or likes to tailor his game after.
"Right down the road, Rob Gronkowski," he said. "People just think of him as this receiving guy, but (New England) runs stretch and they run stretch insert and he's as good as anyone in the history of the National Football League blocking those plays.
"If you watch him, he's just unbelievable as a blocker, as well as a pass receiver."
Sweeney is one of those rare tight ends that takes just as much pleasure springing a back for a big gain as he does catching a touchdown. He hopes a team falls in love with his ability to catch the ball and be a plus blocker this week at the Senior Bowl and throughout the pre-draft process.
