The 2017 NFL draft was stacked at the tight end position. With eight tight ends projected to go in the first 100 picks, it was by far the most talented group of the position to come out in recent memory.

Bucky Hodges, the fourth-ranked tight end before the draft, according to Sports Illustrated, looked to be selected anywhere from the mid-second round to the middle of the third round.

Of the 19 players at the position who took part in the combine, Hodges outran all but four of them in the 40-yard dash, with a time of 4.57, putting him in the 91st percentile range of all tight ends to enter the draft. Standing at 6-foot-6, he was in the 86 percentile in height. His broad jump and vertical jump were in the 98th and 96th percentiles, respectively.

So when Hodges was drafted in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings at pick 17 in the sixth round, 201st overall, and the thirteenth out of fourteen tight ends selected in the draft, many thought he was a complete steal.

An athletic freak and a matchup nightmare for linebackers all throughout college, Vikings’ fans and analysts alike thought the rookie would be able to come in and contribute immediately.

Five months later, after suffering a concussion in week four of the preseason, Hodges was released from the Vikings. He went unclaimed, soon finding himself unemployed and no longer on a roster in the NFL. Four days later he signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, where the rookie hopefully will remain as a developmental piece until next year. But why did he go so late in the draft, despite his raw athleticism? Let’s look at the tape.

Take a look at this play versus Tennessee. On the very first offensive snap, the running back takes the handoff to the right side on a sweep. Hodges moves inside to block the defensive end, who is able to easily shake the blocker and get in on the tackle.

Here, versus Pittsburgh, you can see that he just is not a good blocker, allowing his man to easily get into the pile. Hodges almost looks lost.

On this play, Hodges is tasked with keeping the left defensive end in check to allow the running back to run inside. He does not.

<p><a href=”https://giphy.com/gifs/69WaAsrNA9OUg”>via GIPHY</a></p>

The best way to describe his run blocking skill is just “downright atrocious.” Watch him fail to stick to his man, not only allowing his defender to make the tackle, but allowing him to lay a big hit on the running back.

<p><a href=”https://giphy.com/gifs/x7R59YQ3m0NlC”>via GIPHY</a></p>

Hodges lacks the strength, and the skill, of an NFL tight end . . . mostly due in part to his run blocking skills, which were bad enough to make NFL teams pass over him for almost the entire draft.

Coming out of college, Hodges’ pro comparison was former Michigan tight end and current Panthers’ receiver Devin Funchess.

Funchess, like Hodges, played the tweener role between the receiver and tight end in college – often playing out wide and in the slot instead of on the end of the offensive line in a three point stance. Although the Panthers use their tight ends (more notably, Greg Olsen), in this same fashion, it may be more realistic for Hodges to play receiver at the next level. He simply lacks the prowess of a run blocking tight end, and his addition to the three pass-catcher already on the roster is hardly a compliment to them.

The Panthers’ tight ends may not be known for their run blocking skills, but if a piece doesn’t fit, don’t force it.

Watch him make a touchdown in the third preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.

He is a natural receiver that can get up in the air and catch contested footballs, much like Kelvin Benjamin and the aforementioned Funchess. It may be best for him to make the transition now, while he can learn from two of the bigger receivers in the game, and maybe even compliment them by next year.

The team already saved Funchess from the fate of the wrong position – it’s not too late so save Hodges, too.