Aaron Hernandez entered the 2010 NFL Draft as one of the most polarizing and athletically gifted tight end prospects in the country. Despite putting up record-setting numbers at the University of Florida and winning the John Mackey Award as the nation's best collegiate tight end, Hernandez fell to the fourth round, where the New England Patriots selected him with the 113th overall pick. This drop was not caused by a lack of on-field production or athletic traits, but rather by significant off-field concerns, character red flags, and failed drug tests that surfaced during the pre-draft evaluation process.
The Collegiate Foundation at the University of Florida
Aaron Hernandez arrived at the University of Florida in 2007 as a highly touted recruit from Bristol Central High School in Connecticut. Playing under head coach Urban Meyer, Hernandez joined a powerhouse Gators program that featured future NFL stars like quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receiver Percy Harvin. As a freshman, Hernandez contributed in a rotational role, catching 9 passes for 151 yards. By his sophomore year, his role expanded significantly, resulting in 34 receptions for 381 yards and 5 touchdowns.
His breakout campaign came during his junior season in 2009. Hernandez became the focal point of the Gators' passing game, setting a single-season school record for receptions by a tight end with 68 catches for 850 yards and 5 touchdowns. His performance earned him consensus first-team All-American honors and the prestigious John Mackey Award. Beyond raw statistics, Hernandez displayed a rare ability to line up inline as a traditional tight end, in the slot as a wide receiver, or detached in motion, creating a mismatch nightmare for collegiate linebackers and safeties.
Pre-Draft Evaluation and Scouting Profile
Evaluators heading into the 2010 NFL Draft viewed Aaron Hernandez as a unique weapon with elite pass-catching skills for the tight end position. His tape revealed a fluid route runner with exceptional spatial awareness, soft hands, and the after-catch elusiveness typically found in a running back.
Athletic Testing and Measurables
At the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Hernandez measured in at approximately 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds—slightly undersized for a traditional inline blocking tight end, but ideal for a move tight end or "H-back" role.
- Height: 6 ft 2 in
- Weight: 245 lbs
- Arm Length: 32 inches
- Hand Size: 9 7/8 inches
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.64 seconds
- Bench Press: 18 repetitions
- Vertical Leap: 30.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 9 feet 5 inches
While his speed and agility metrics were solid for a pass-catcher, his strength measurements and overall dimensions suggested limitations as a blocker against NFL-caliber defensive ends and linebackers. Analysts noted that while he was willing to engage blocks, his lack of ideal mass and anchor strength restricted his effectiveness in the traditional running game.
Character Concerns and the 2010 Draft Slide
Despite being widely graded as a second- or even late-first-round talent based strictly on athletic ability and collegiate production, Hernandez plummeted down draft boards. The primary catalyst for his fall was a combination of character concerns, alleged associations with undesirable elements, and rumors regarding failed drug tests during his time at Florida.
NFL front offices conduct extensive background checks, interviewing teammates, coaches, and security personnel. Reports surfaced prior to the draft indicating that Hernandez had tested positive for marijuana while in college—a red flag that immediately caused several conservative franchises to remove him from their draft boards entirely. Additionally, whispers regarding inconsistent maturity and off-field habits circulated among scouts, creating a high-risk label that scared general managers away during the first three rounds.
| Round | Selection Details | Team Context & Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Undrafted / Passed | Elite on-field value outweighed by emerging drug-test rumors and background flags. |
| Round 2 | Passed by 32 Teams | Teams sought safer locker room cultures, prioritizing traditional tight end frames or clean records. |
| Round 3 | Passed by 32 Teams | Lingering concerns over consistency and off-field reliability caused teams to hesitate. |
| Round 4 | Pick 113: New England Patriots | Bill Belichick and the Patriots took a calculated risk, leveraging their strong locker room culture. |
Selection by the New England Patriots
The slide ended in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft when the New England Patriots traded up to select Aaron Hernandez with the 113th overall pick. The Patriots organization, known under head coach Bill Belichick for taking calculated risks on talented players with character baggage, viewed Hernandez as incredible value at that stage of the draft.
New England already held another high pick in the same draft class, selecting tight end Rob Gronkowski out of the University of Arizona in the second round (42nd overall). By pairing Gronkowski—a traditional, elite inline blocker and red-zone target—with Hernandez, the Patriots engineered a revolutionary two-tight-end offensive scheme. This personnel grouping forced opposing defenses into a schematic bind, as traditional linebackers could not cover Hernandez in space, while defensive backs struggled to contend with Gronkowski's size and strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Aaron Hernandez go to college?
Aaron Hernandez played college football at the University of Florida under head coach Urban Meyer from 2007 to 2009. During his junior season, he won the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end and earned consensus All-American honors.
Why did Aaron Hernandez fall to the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft?
While Hernandez possessed first-to-second-round talent, he fell to the fourth round due to pre-draft character concerns, rumors of failed drug tests while in college, and reported questions regarding his background and associations outside of football.
What pick was Aaron Hernandez in the 2010 NFL Draft?
Aaron Hernandez was selected in the fourth round with the 113th overall pick by the New England Patriots.
Who did the Patriots draft alongside Aaron Hernandez in 2010?
In the same 2010 draft class, the New England Patriots selected tight end Rob Gronkowski in the second round (42nd overall). Together, Gronkowski and Hernandez formed one of the most prolific tight end tandems in modern NFL history during their tenure together.
What was Aaron Hernandez's 40-yard dash time at the Combine?
Aaron Hernandez ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine, displaying the speed and fluidity that separated him from heavier, traditional inline tight ends.
Conclusion and Strategic Takeaway
The selection of Aaron Hernandez in the 2010 NFL Draft remains one of the most scrutinized personnel decisions in professional football history. From a purely football operations perspective, the New England Patriots secured a dynamic, elite offensive weapon in the fourth round, extracting massive on-field value from a depressed draft stock. However, the underlying character flags that caused his initial fall ultimately foreshadowed severe off-field tragedies that cut short both his career and his life, leaving a complex and dark legacy in sports history.
