2024 Rookie Profile: TE Ben Sinnott (Fantasy Football)

In the buildup to the 2024 NFL Draft, Brock Bowers‘ brilliance has deservingly stolen most of the spotlight, potentially overshadowing other tight end prospects who, despite their promising potential, currently linger in the shadows. Not hailed as generational prospects, several emerging talents, including Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott, possess tremendous promise that has generally gone unnoticed. Sinnott stands out with an impressive production profile, imposing size, and a standout NFL Combine performance, positioning him as a potential day-one contributor at the next level. Keep a close eye on Sinnott as you gear up for the later rounds of your rookie drafts. Despite his current lack of acclaim, he holds the potential to evolve into a substantial fantasy asset at the next level.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2024 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and the production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2024.

College Production Profile

Sinnott entered college as an unranked recruit hailing from Columbus High School in Waterloo, Iowa. Despite this setback, he boasted an impressive athletic resume, earning varsity letters in baseball, football, golf, hockey, tennis, and track during his high school tenure. He still managed to attract attention from programs across the Midwest for both football and hockey and initially pledged his commitment to the University of South Dakota. However, he ultimately reconsidered and opted to pursue his collegiate career at Kansas State, where he later earned a spot on their football team as a walk-on. During his freshman year with the program, Sinnott was given the number 34, a nod to his initial role as a walk-on fullback. Despite having the opportunity to switch numbers, he proudly continued to wear this unconventional number throughout his three-year tenure with the program. This example is just one among many that underscores Sinnott’s grit and the perpetual chip on his shoulder.

Following a quiet debut in 2021, where he saw action in just five games, Sinnott’s 2022 season marked a significant turning point in his football journey. Embracing a more pivotal role in the team’s offense, he concluded the season with notable contributions. This included amassing 31 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdowns across 13 games, boasting an impressive average of 14.4 yards per catch. Additionally, Sinnott showcased his versatility by excelling in blocking duties, often assuming a hybrid role resembling that of a fullback rather than a traditional tight end. Having established himself as a pivotal asset in the program’s offensive scheme throughout the entire season, anticipation soared for a breakout performance from the burly tight end in the upcoming year.

The 2023 season proved to be critical for Sinnott’s NFL aspirations. Despite starting as an unranked recruit and walking onto the team, he emerged as one of the most prolific tight ends in college football last season. Over the course of 11 games, he tallied an impressive 49 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns, maintaining an average of 13.8 yards per catch. He additionally had the second-highest team target share in the entire class at 18.8%. Notably, Sinnott’s impact extended beyond his offensive contributions, as he showcased elite blocking skills yet again, earning him the prestigious Lowman Trophy for the best fullback in college football. Furthermore, his stellar performance offensively led to a semifinalist nod for the esteemed John Mackey Award, recognizing the nation’s top tight end.

Measurements

At 6’4” and 250 lbs, Sinnott epitomizes the modern prototype of an NFL starting tight end. In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards a decrease in average height and weight among players at the position, contrasting with historical norms. Sinnott’s commanding stature proves invaluable for blocking, yet it is his adept utilization of his imposing frame to dominate defenders in routes and contested catches that truly sets him apart for fantasy purposes. Beyond sheer size, his remarkable agility and consistent improvement throughout his college career underscore his multifaceted skill set. While his offensive skills are often overshadowed by his exceptional blocking, Sinnott transcends the label of a mere blocking tight end. He additionally has showcased versatility that extends beyond a fullback role. While he could excel as a fullback in the NFL, it is respectable to state that this would be a waste of his diverse skill set and offensive abilities.

Ben Sinnott is a TE prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.72 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 32 out of 1116 TE from 1987 to 2024.

Pro day pending.https://t.co/GpK7ff9PH6 pic.twitter.com/PJTfosXiA8

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 12, 2024

For those unacquainted with Sinnott’s collegiate production profile or tape, his NFL Combine performance showcased his immense potential. Standing out among his peers, he claimed top honors in various drills, including a remarkable vertical jump of 40 inches, a broad jump spanning 10 feet six inches, and an extremely impressive three-cone time of 6.82 seconds. Notably, his three-cone time was quicker than standout wide receiver prospects like Rome Odunze and Troy Franklin, ranking ninth overall in the entire combine across all positions. This is a significant feat as the three-cone drill has proven to correlate strongly with success for tight ends in the NFL. While his 40-yard dash time was not the fastest, Sinnott’s combination of speed, size, and explosiveness positions him well for success at the next level.

The table below shows how Sinnott’s measurables and combine testing stack up with some of the top tight ends to enter the league in the last two seasons:

What’s On Tape

1. Positional Versatility

Sinnott’s three-year stint at Kansas State was marked by his dynamic utilization across the field. Whether attributed to his diverse sporting background or his seamless transition between fullback and tight end positions, his unique level of athleticism was evident. Spotting Sinnott at the start of a given play proved challenging at times when evaluating his tape. This was primarily due to his unpredictable positioning, sometimes found at fullback or H-back, other times in the slot or out wide. In the play below, he exemplifies his versatility by turning a screen pass into a touchdown, highlighting just one aspect of his multifaceted game. This versatility stands as a testament to his potential as an invaluable asset at the next level.

2. High Football IQ

Sinnott’s versatility in mastering various positions and formations at Kansas State reflects a uniquely high level of intelligence. Beyond his physical abilities, his skill in reading defenses and exploiting gaps is often underestimated. In the play below, he demonstrates superb tempo in the ability to quickly adjust his movements based on defensive cues. He effectively reads the defensive coverage and adeptly finds the open area in the zone. This skill is vital for navigating through zone defenses commonly seen in the NFL. While such plays may not be flashy, they consistently gain yards, making Sinnott a dependable asset for moving the chains. This is an underestimated attribute that is highly valued by coaches. Moreover, his intelligence extends beyond the field, evident in his academic achievements, including being awarded the 2023 Academic All-American (College Sports Communicators), 2022-23 Academic All-District (College Sports Communicators), and 2021-23 First Team Academic All-Big 12 honors.

3. Yards After the Catch

One aspect of Sinnott’s game that often flies under the radar is his proficiency in gaining yards after the catch. Utilizing his athleticism and explosiveness, Sinnott showcases agility to deceive defenders, occasionally even leaping over them, and requires multiple opponents to bring him down once he builds momentum. In 2023, he averaged an impressive 6.8 yards after the catch, coupled with a respectable 13.8 yards per reception. Notably, Sinnott forced a missed tackle on 29.2% of his receptions, ranking third in his class behind Brock Bowers (32.1%) and Jaheim Bell (30.7%). What is particularly noteworthy is that Sinnott was targeted on screen passes significantly less than both players, amplifying the impact of this statistic.

4. Blocking, Blocking, and More Blocking

Despite its minimal impact on fantasy football, blocking remains an integral aspect of playing tight end at the professional level. While some tight ends thrive offensively despite subpar blocking skills, mastering this facet of the game can prove to be essential for longevity and versatility. Sinnott’s standout blocking abilities, marked by solid fundamentals and exceptional physicality, set him apart as a prospect. This innate talent, unteachable and invaluable, is sure to attract attention from NFL teams comparing him with his peers. With that said, Sinnott projects to be so much more than just a blocking tight end due to his offensive capabilities. This is best portrayed by his significance to his team’s offense at Kansas State, particularly evident in his leading contribution to his team’s total receiving yards in 2023 at an impressive 23.4%. This was the highest mark in the entire class at the position.

What’s Not on Tape

1. Room for Growth as a Route Runner

Despite his versatility across the field, Sinnott could enhance his game by refining his route running and diversifying his route tree. While he moves well for his size, there are instances where his footwork appears slow and choppy at the onset of his routes. With that said, it is uncommon for a player of his stature to exhibit the agility of a wide receiver. Nonetheless, Sinnott has shown significant improvement in this area in recent seasons and has demonstrated potential for further development as a polished route runner. If he can hone this aspect of his game, metrics suggest he could become a potent threat in the NFL. Notably, Sinnott boasted the highest depth of target in the entire tight end draft class, averaging an impressive 10.1 yards per target in 2023.

2. Specific Area of Greatness

Sinnott emerges as a remarkably well-rounded prospect, demonstrating proficiency across multiple facets of his game with few major weaknesses. While this versatility is undoubtedly a positive trait, he also appears to lack a standout area of excellence that distinguishes him from other prospects. Unlike some of his counterparts who excel in specific aspects, Sinnott’s production profile and tape do not highlight a singular skill that sets him apart. This may explain why he has somewhat flown under the radar as a prospect and has not garnered the recognition he arguably deserves. However, as noted earlier, Sinnott has shown consistent improvement in nearly every category throughout his tenure at Kansas State. This suggests the potential for continued growth and evolution as a football player, honing in on specific areas to elevate his game from good to great. This distinction is important, especially considering that some prospects in the class may have a more limited ceiling with less room to grow.

Fantasy Outlook

While we can discuss Sinnott’s potential as a tight end in the NFL at length, if the league or his future team views him primarily as a fullback or blocking tight end at the next level, he will not become a significant contributor in fantasy football. Evaluating Sinnott is particularly challenging because, unlike several other prospects who are clearly projected to be pass-catching tight ends, his future role remains uncertain due to his unique skill set. While it is difficult to predict whether he will be utilized primarily as a pass-catching tight end in the NFL, it would be unwise for a team to limit his potential solely to blocking duties. Sinnott has showcased too much promise in the offensive aspects of his game and is too dynamic with the ball in his hands to be confined to such a role. 

Assuming Sinnott secures the role we anticipate, his fantasy and dynasty outlooks remain notably uncertain. Forecasting which tight ends will excel in fantasy football is inherently challenging and warrants careful consideration. This is why we often advise prioritizing positions with higher success rates in rookie drafts. Additionally, predicting when a tight end will break out in the NFL is equally daunting. Instances like Sam LaPorta or Dalton Kincaid, who made immediate fantasy impacts as rookies, are exceedingly rare. Nonetheless, Sinnott’s youthfulness, as the third youngest prospect in his class, could provide a slight advantage for dynasty purposes, affording him more time to develop into a professional tight end.

While there is a chance Sinnott could carve out a fantasy-relevant role in his rookie year, it is more probable that his true breakout will occur later in his career. Similar to Trey McBride, who had an unproductive rookie season, the offseason following his rookie year might present an ideal buying opportunity to acquire Sinnott’s services in dynasty leagues. Despite the low success rate of tight end prospects, Sinnott possesses numerous athletic traits and intangibles that bode well for translating his collegiate success to the professional level. Although draft capital holds less significance for tight end prospects, being selected in the second round by a team in need of immediate contributions would undoubtedly boost Sinnott’s fantasy outlook. As the NFL draft looms closer, all eyes are on the talented tight end’s draft stock, poised to potentially influence the early stages of his professional career.

For more information on tight ends, here is a must-read article on The Dynasty Lifecycle of Tight Ends, written by Marvin Elequin.