Matt

Hennessy

Drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Hennessy started all 17 games of his second season at center. He earned Pro Football Focus’s third-highest run-blocking grade for a center that season. The Falcons then moved him to left guard in 2022. He only started three games late in the year and suffered a season-ending knee injury. Hennessy then missed all of the 2023 with a knee issue. The one-year deal gives the Eagles, who just saw Jason Kelce retire after a historic career, a good depth option at multiple interior line spots.

Hennessy was placed on injured reserve last season and has been sidelined in training camp since July 28th. Hennessy was expected to compete for the starting left guard job in camp but will now miss all of this season. It’s a tough break for the former third-rounder, who has started 22-of-41 games since entering the league in 2020. Rookie second-rounder Matt Bergeron is expected to handle the duties at left guard with Hennessy out.

Hennessy was competing for Atlanta’s starting center job before the season, then played left guard last week before suffering a knee injury. He’ll miss at least the next four weeks. Colby Gossett replaced Hennessy at guard and will probably start against Carolina in Week 10.

Hennessy (6’4/307) was a three-year starting center at Temple who earned second-team All-American honors as a senior. He didn’t allow a single sack in 2019 per PFF, and showed 71st percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism at the NFL Combine with plus scores in the three-cone (7.45) and broad jump (110 inches). On tape, he was quick out of his stance and showed the ability to mirror edge rushers side to side, but he needs more girth to handle NFL bull rushes. He can be an asset in the run game, especially when asked to pull and find second-level defenders because he has quality body control. Hennessy profiles as an average starter, especially if he fills out and becomes a stronger player who wins with above-average athleticism and instincts. He’ll sit and learn behind Alex Mack for at least one season as Mack heads into the final year of his contract and will be 34 later this year.

Hennessy (6’4/307) was a three-year starting center at Temple who earned second-team All-American honors as a senior. He didn’t allow a single sack in 2019 per PFF, and showed 71st percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism at the NFL Combine with plus scores in the three-cone (7.45) and broad jump (110 inches). On tape, he was quick out of his stance and showed the ability to mirror edge rushers side to side, but he needs more girth to handle NFL bull rushes. He can be an asset in the run game, especially when asked to pull and find second-level defenders because he has quality body control. Hennessy profiles as an average starter, especially if he fills out and becomes a stronger player who wins with above-average athleticism and instincts. He’ll sit and learn behind Alex Mack for at least one season as Mack heads into the final year of his contract and will be 34 later this year.

“Below-average physical traits could limit [Hennessey’s] suitors, but scheme fits will like the movement and intangibles he brings to the table,” Zierlein writes of the 6-foot-4, 307-pound Temple product. Hennessey tested out respectably at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a SPARQ score in the 66th percentile of NFL linemen. Zierlein concludes his scouting report in noting that "[h]e has early backup, eventual starter potential.” It’s not out off the question that Hennessey could push for a late Day 2 selection come April’s draft.

What’s interesting about the development of Hennessy (6'4/295) during his time at Temple is that he had not played center prior to his arrival on campus. Three years later he’ll hear his name called at some point in April’s draft, likely on Day 3 with a chance of sneaking into the back end of Day 2. Hennessy’s athleticism is a big reason why he’s managed to develop into an NFL prospect at a position that he did not play while in high school. “Overall, Hennessy has only ordinary point-of-attack strength, but he is an athletic craftsman with his outstanding quickness, balance and attention to detail, projecting as an NFL starter in a zone-blocking scheme,” Brugler wrote in his analysis.

One day after announcing that he would forego his final season of eligibility, Hennessy (6'4/295) accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl. He’s considered to be one of the top draft-eligible centers in college football, and the postseason circuit will give Hennessy the opportunity to cement his status as a draft prospect. A Day 3 projection feels safe for the Temple Owl, who has a shot at being taken on Day 2 of this spring’s draft.

Hennessy made the announcement after the completion of the loss to UNC in the Military Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound center was considered one of the better centers coming into the 2019 season -- Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller ranked him 5th among draft-eligible centers coming into the season -- and didn’t do anything this year to suggest he won’t be considered among the top. That being said, it’s unlikely that Hennessy is more than a mid-round pick at this point, but testing will tell the story as to where the offensive lineman goes come this spring.

Hennessy (6'4/295) is clearly on the draft radar -- Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller listed him as his No. 5 draf-eligible center prospect -- with the potential to be taken off the board on Day 2. While his pass-blocking skills are top-notch, Hennessy has room to improve as a run-blocker. Last year, Pro Football Focus handed the Temple center an average 70.4 run-blocking grade.