Hogs Haven takes a look at 2024 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Ben Sinnott, TE
School: Kansas State | Conference: Big 12
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6’4” / 247 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Rounds 2-3
Player Comp: Sam LaPorta
College Statistics
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2020 | Kansas State | Big 12 | FR | FB | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| *2021 | Kansas State | Big 12 | FR | FB | 12 | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 1 | 5 | 27 | 5.4 | 1 |
| *2022 | Kansas State | Big 12 | SO | 14 | 31 | 447 | 14.4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 447 | 14.4 | 4 | ||
| *2023 | Kansas State | Big 12 | JR | TE | 12 | 49 | 676 | 13.8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 676 | 13.8 | 6 | |
| Career | Kansas State | 82 | 1138 | 13.9 | 10 | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 1 | 85 | 1150 | 13.5 | 11 | ||||
Player Overview
Despite originally arriving at Kansas State as a walk-on in 2020, by his junior season, Ben Sinnott was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and third-team AP All-American. This past season, he had 49 receptions for 676 yards and 6 TDs for the Wildcats.
He was used in a variety of roles at K-State, including as an in-line blocker and a receiver out of the slot, and was a critical cog in their offense. He’s also been described as a “dominant blocker in space, who will catch everything he should catch.” Sinnott is likely to have a significant impact on special teams as a contributor, and one benefit is that he will likely enter the NFL with a high floor. He’s ceiling is still yet to be seen.
In 2023, Sinnott was a semi-finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the best tight end in college football. He also won Pardon My Takes’ “Lowman Trophy” award, given annually to the top fullback in college football by the Barstool Sports podcast.
Sinnott has been invited to the Senior Bowl.
Strengths
- Good hands.
- Can be initially elusive, for a big man.
- Versatile. Can play as a tight end or fullback.
- Is a plus blocker.
- Played a key role in both the run and pass game at K-State.
Weaknesses
- Some questions remain about his athleticism.
- Could have trouble getting consistent separation against man coverage.
- Limited route tree in college.
- Not particularly explosive.
Let’s See His Work
Really enjoy what #KansasState TE Ben Sinnott brings in his skillset. Can make the tough catches over the MOF, runs routes in-line, split out and from the backfield, can be perfect TE/FB hybrid at the NFL level.
Lots to like with his game.
pic.twitter.com/wqSOnReHUt https://t.co/eay87LxSU8
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 12, 2023
It took 6 OU defenders to bring Ben Sinnott down pic.twitter.com/LGK3XOTnjD
— Clint The K-State Fan (@Thekstatefan2) September 26, 2022
Ben Sinnott takes out two defenders, clearing the way for the Avery Johnson touchdown
vs Texas Tech pic.twitter.com/8aVPjPfuWo— The Kansas State Fan (@Thekstatefan) January 4, 2024
How He Would Fit
Washington’s new general manager, Adam Peters, was a college tight end before eventually transitioning to defensive lineman at UCLA. There’s strong speculation that he had a key hand in taking George Kittle in 5th round of the 2017 draft – despite having a third round grade on him.
“I remember scouting George Kittle at Iowa when I was with the Broncos, at the time,” 49ers VP of player personnel Adam Peters recently told 49ers.com. “He was a really unique athlete but wasn’t a really highly thought of prospect by most people. When we got to the 49ers, our coaching staff did a great job of identifying exactly what George could do, and exactly what George could be in our offense.
Sinnott, in some respects, is a similar sort of player. Not flashy. No particular attributes that jump off the page, but he’s an integrated package that could develop into a key contributor in the right offense. He reminds some observers of 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
To my eyes, he looks like this year’s Sam LaPorta, the Lions’ rookie tight end who took the league by storm, and who has thrived in Ben Johnson’s offense. Washington has to deepen its tight end room this off-season, and Sinnott would be my top tight end target in the 2024 draft, in terms of likely value. I’d be happy to see Washington use a Day 2 pick on him.