Iowa football: Which UDFAs will make the active roster
By Andrew Wade
Parker Hesse – Tennessee Titans
Hesse is in a similar boat to Nelson in that he is switching positions, moving from defensive end to H-back. Unlike Nelson, whose size just makes sense at the tackle position, Hesse is making the move because he doesn’t have the size to play a traditional defensive end role.
He does, however, have a decent chunk of experience playing offense from his high school days where he basically did it at all for the tiny town of Waukon, Iowa. Hesse starred as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive end, and punter for his high school, and after starting for four seasons with the Iowa football team, he is adding H-back to his resume.
Technically, as it stands today, Hesse is a tight end, but given there is no true fullback on the roster, Hesse’s versatility could help him stick with the Tennessee Titans.
If he sticks as a traditional tight end, his chances of making the roster are pretty slim unless Delanie Walker doesn’t return from injury quickly.
Most NFL teams don’t carry more than three tight ends and right now, the Titans appear to be content with their trio of Walker, 2017 third rounder Jonnu Smith, and former fifth-rounder Dennis Kelly.
The other tough part of figuring out where Hesse fits on this roster is offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is brand new to the job. He has never held an offensive coordinator role at any level so we don’t even know if a fullback or H-back is in his offensive playset.
Prediction: Hesse is cut and signs on the practice squad.