Ben Sims NFL Draft

Ben Sims

  • TE Baylor
  • Senior
  • #211
  • 6'5"
  • 258lbs
  • Prospect
  • Big 12

Prospect Summary

Ben Sims 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

  • Missed the final two games of 2020 with a foot injury 
  • Three-star recruit who chose Baylor over Auburn, ASU, and others
  • Third on the team with 31 receptions

System: 

  • Scheme tendencies: Zone rushing system
  • 2022 projected role: Starting TE

Pros: Ben Sims projects as a traditional Y-tight end at the NFL level. The Baylor system has called upon him to serve as a key piece in the blocking front for the team’s rushing offense, putting him on the frontside to seal the edge for outside runs and charging him with creating either horizontal or vertical push and softening edges. He has been fairly proficient in this regard as of last season, either against stacked defenders or wide-angled defensive ends. He has the density and functional strength needed to operate in this regard at the NFL level as well and I have little doubt that with some added refinement in his balance and posture in space, he can become a very sticky player. He reminds me physically and as a blocker of former OSU tight end Luke Farrell, who was drafted on day three by the Jaguars in 2021. Sims has a little better receiving chops than Farrell, too—he was third on the Bears in receptions last year with 31. Sims shows good hands and his ability to get open stems back to his hard sells in the play-action game; he leaks past linebackers with good sells of run fits before popping into space. 

Cons: While the receiving production does pop, I’ll say I’m not sure that Ben Sims is the type of athlete needed to run away from coverage players at the NFL level. Separation, particularly against man coverage and in straight releases out into routes, was not a strength and I can’t imagine that will get better. Instead, I’d like to see Sims continue to get more physical on the route stem to try to muscle himself some more space. Sims will provide more lopsided value as a blocker than as a receiver, which could put a proverbial glass ceiling over his value and cap him as a TE2. As a blocker, Sims seemed to intermittently overextend himself and as a result, his sustainability on his blocks allowed defenders to uncover and challenge the back on the edge. Foot speed may be a barrier from consistently hitting long-landmark blocks unless he’s able to showcase consistent anticipation with the angles he takes coming out of the blocks.

Ben Sims NFL Draft Scouting Report by Kyle Crabbs