Position: Tight End
Height: 6′-6″
Weight: 267 pounds
School: Minnesota
2024 NFL Draft: Brevyn Spann-Ford Scouting Report
Brevyn Spann-Ford could have had a better season in 2023. He experienced a decline in his performance regarding receptions, yards, and average yards per catch. Although one of the reasons behind this was the inefficiency of Minnesota’s passing game, Spann-Ford himself is also to be blamed for it. He struggled to catch the ball throughout the season and took a step back overall. Spann-Ford can’t be evaluated exclusively based on the 2023 film; he would go undrafted, so his 2022 film was used here. His peer comparison statistics below are from 2022; otherwise, they would be near the bottom across the board.
Strengths
- Spann-Ford is a huge target who uses his frame to box out defenders at the catch point, providing a catch point that cannot be taught. He is an immediate threat inside the red zone due to his size;
- He’s a promising blocker who needs to develop stronger playing strength to become more powerful at the next level. Spann-Ford’s strength could be his greatest asset.;
- Spann-Ford, weighing 270 pounds, has the potential to excel as a sixth offensive lineman;
- He needs to work on consistently dropping his pads and bending his knees to get to the proper depth;
- Spann-Ford does a great job against zone coverage, finding open areas and quickly boxing out defenders;
- Vs. 2024. Draft Tight Ends: Yards per Route Run: 2.22 (4th), Yards Per Team Pass Attempt: 1.76 (4th).
Weaknesses
- Brevyn Spann-Ford has slow foot speed and can be caught by linebackers. He won’t be a threat as a consistent receiver;
- The player is unable to create distance from the defender either through quickness or by running effective routes;
- He carries his weight up top as opposed to in his legs. He probably has a low vertical, which suggests that he lacks explosiveness;
- Spann-Ford’s thin legs and stiff hips limit his yards after the catch ability. His explosiveness and size limit his potential as a route runner, and his slow movements do not allow him to evade defenders;
- He struggles to maintain his route if defenders make contact with him within the first five yards, causing him to lose momentum and become ineffective;
- Spann-Ford needs to be a better hands catcher. He claps at the ball when attacking it;
- Vs. 2024. Draft Tight Ends: Career Yards per Reception: 11.2 (16th), Yards After the Catch: 5.9 (13th).
NFL Comparison: Josh Oliver
Teams With Need At Position: Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins
Projection: Round 6
Bottom Line on Brevyn Spann-Ford
Although NFL scouts might doubt his catching ability, his massive size of 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds is not a concern. He uses his size to his advantage in the mid-range passing game and can overpower defenders once he has the ball. In addition, he is an aggressive blocker, but he needs to improve his technique in this area to avoid falling off blocks frequently. Brevyn Spann-Ford will provide good value to a team as a blocker. He has the size coaches can’t teach at the tight end position and is an experienced player entering the league. He was athletic enough to showcase some nice hands and an impressive catch radius, but his ceiling as a receiver was limited. Spann-Ford is meant to block at the next level.
Main Image: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
