Brevyn Spann-Ford 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Redshirted his true freshman season at Minnesota in 2018 after playing in four games

• Finalist for the 2017 Mr. Football Award in Minnesota
• T-3rd in receptions on 2021 roster (23)

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: RPO-heavy, frequent use of wide zone rushing concepts 
• 2022 projected role: Starting TE

Pros: Brevyn Spann-Ford is a big-bodied tight end who received a series of reps in hybrid roles for the Gophers this past season. He was not the every-down tight end, but when he was on the field, he showed himself capable of filling detached, flexed, and in-line alignments as necessary with varying degrees of upside. His receiving production came courtesy of a lot of sit routes overtop of the center in mesh and delayed leak releases off of play-action to craft him separation. That said, he’s got good concentration, a massive catch radius, and enough athleticism to run away from man coverage and carry himself across the middle of the field to open up and provide a target. As a blocker, I thought he was proficient as a turnout blocker on the edge and his willingness to run slice action in split flow and cut down the end man on the line of scrimmage helped to spring some runs. I thought he effectively created wash to clear out and soften the edges in short-yardage and heavy-personnel situations. 

Cons: Brevyn Spann-Ford is naturally high-cut and as a result, leverage consistency and converting initial power into sustained push is going to form some natural uphill battles for him when blocking in space. Spann-Ford appears to have some room to stack on some additional weight through his torso if he’s going to be charged with being a more traditional tight end—he’s kind of caught between two molds as a player as he currently presents himself. The good news is that I could see him going either way, cutting down some weight to gain more fluidity and quickness or adding mass to add more power and really embracing the in-line work. I’m fascinated to see which direction he trends this year. The ceiling to get drafted will be limited without growth in the passing game and, to be completely honest, the Minnesota offense feels like it has a glass ceiling for how impactful it can be in the passing game. The Gophers had talent last year, but their identity pushed them through the run game and schemed pass concepts.

Brevyn Spann-Ford NFL Draft Scouting Report by Kyle Crabbs