Hunter Henry Declares for 2016 NFL Draft: Latest Comments and Reaction

Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry announced Monday he will enter the 2016 NFL draft in an open letter to Razorbacks fans published on the school's website:

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I have grown so much as a person and player these past three years at the University of Arkansas. I have enjoyed my experience more than I could have ever imagined. As I move on to pursue my dream of playing in the NFL, I want to express my deepest thanks first and foremost to God for blessing me with the incredible opportunity to play football at the University of Arkansas.

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Henry, a junior, posted 51 receptions for 739 yards and three touchdowns in 2015.  He's posted increases in receptions and yardage in each of his three collegiate seasons, emerging as one of the best tight ends in the nation. CBSSports.com ranked him as the best tight end and the 49th-ranked player overall in the 2016 class. While that would put him squarely in the second round, Chase Goodbread of NFL.com reported Monday he received a first-round grade.

That may come down to positional scarcity. The tight end spot isn't particularly deep in this class, with Henry sitting as the only player in CBSSports.com's top 70. There are only four players overall at the position inside the top 100.

Still, it'd be a major surprise to see Henry leap up past the bottom half of the first round. He's not the type of generational athlete who will put up gaudy numbers to soar up boards like Eric Ebron did in 2014. Listed at 6'5" and 253 pounds, Henry has solid speed for his size and good hands while also not lacking in the blocking department. If you're looking for a high-end projection, Jason Witten might be an interesting comparison.

As it stands, Henry accomplished everything he needed to at Arkansas. With the potential of NFL riches awaiting, it's hard to blame him for taking his John Mackey Award and racing to the next level. 

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