Buffalo Bills Nation: Prospect Profile: Ben Patrick

3.24.2007

Prospect Profile: Ben Patrick

Buffalo Bills Nation continues its look at top NFL Draft prospects today with small-school tight end Ben Patrick. A vastly underrated prospect, Patrick is just now beginning to receive national media attention as the draft draws nearer.

Ben Patrick, TE, Delaware
Height: 6'3" Weight: 252 40-Time: 4.74 seconds Senior

STRENGTHS: Hands
- Fluid athlete with great hands... Can make spectacular catches... Has solid bulk and works hard as a blocker... Very intelligent and has top intangibles... Solid when picking up yards after the catch... Runs good routes and knows how to get open... Versatile and can be lined up in several different ways.

WEAKNESSES: Assertiveness
- Is sometimes not as physical or aggressive as he could be... Can be overpowered by strong defensive linemen... Has average speed and is not as agile as some others at the tight end position... Put up better numbers against Div I-AA competition... May be slightly overrated due to the "small-school" buzz Delaware is generating for him.

NFL COMPARISON: Bubba Franks, Green Bay
- Franks has been a consistent performer for the Packers for a number of years. Franks doesn't light up the world with statistics, but he is a solid blocker and a pretty good red zone threat. Patrick has roughly the same build as Franks and is equally adept as a blocker, but he comes with a better set of hands.

DOES HE FIT THE "BILL"?: Yes.
- Patrick has the ability and the football smarts to become a solid starting tight end in the NFL. I really like his athleticism - despite his average speed, he makes plays. He has a lot to prove, however, going from DI-AA to the NFL. He could be a good performer for the Bills, but the demand for a tight end out of One Bills Drive is low.