Vikings Select Tight End Bucky Hodges in the Sixth Round

Photo: Fighting Gobbler

The Vikings selected Virginia Tech tight end Bucky Hodges with the 201st pick in the NFL Draft.

The Vikings selected Virginia Tech tight end Bucky Hodges with the 201st pick. Hodges is a value pick for the Vikings at this juncture of the draft. He has a 6'6" frame and runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. He is practically a wide receiver playing in a tight end's body. He can be flexed out often to run routes and is a massive red zone threat.

Hodges was a second team All-ACC selection in 2016, tallying 48 catches for 691 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Many draft analysts projected Hodges to be selected in the second or third round. He is still learning the details of the position because he was a converted quarterback. His inexperience at the position likely led to his slide down the board. He needs work as a route runner and run blocker and is still a very raw player.

However, Hodges has the size and athletic ability to be a huge mismatch in the receiving game. He won't provide much value as a run blocker, but this isn't how he will be used the most. He will be split out often to utilize his giant catch radius.

His vertical and broad jumps are extremely above average and he will be a target that can go up and get the football. The Vikings added a true receiving tight end to complement Kyle Rudolph through the air. Not to mention, another matchup threat to place within their offensive system.

This is another value pick for the Vikings, who have drafted a high number of players that slid down the board.