TIGHT ENDS
Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
Game Film Evaluated:
TCU (2016)
Villanova (2016)
North Dakota State (2016)
Senior Bowl (2018)
Analysis: Impressive get off at the line. Solid frame and able to absorb contact and keep moving. Physical runner after the catch who can break tackles. Long arms with strong hands to make difficult catch. Willing blocker who shows upside with footwork to seal off the edge and get into proper position. Bit of a long stride when running downfield but he has no issues getting down the seam of a defense. He knows how to set up defenders in man coverage and create separation in 3rd down situations. He needs to get stronger and drive into the defender more when blocking. He works back to the QB and makes the routine catch as well as the difficult ones. He got a amazing one handed grab vs Villanova. Raw as a blocker but gives excellent effort and keeps his feet moving to drive his defender off the line. Best when in zone blocking moving his man down the line. Needs to stay upright and learn to seal off the edge when angle blocking. Technique is the issue rather than effort or core strength/footwork. Needs to refine his route running, rounds off too many routes.
Summary: Dallas Goedert is rising prospect coming from a small school in South Dakota State but I have no concerns that he will make an impact in the NFL. One of the few more complete tight ends who can line up wide, inside on the line, block and catch the ball effectively. Physical runner after the catch and able to stretch the defense vertically busting up the seam. 2nd round grade.
Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
Game Film Evaluated:
Missouri (2017)
Michigan (2017)
South Florida (2016)
Analysis: Looks like a wide receiver trying to play TE. Lacks bulk for the position. Lines up both inline and split out wide as a receiver. Positional blocker who lacks strength and power at the POA. He blocks like a wide receiver than a TE. Lacks adequate footwork, strong hands or ability to drive defenders off the line. He gets set up properly to seal off the edge of the hole. Physical defenders can redirect him with ease and he can be knocked off his route. Lacks experience to get a clean release off the line. No feel for setting up defenders to create separation. Excellent speed and can make the difficult catch across his body. Physical after the catch and he can break tackles. Excellent hands and will make the contested catch and catches in traffic. He can stretch the field and get into the secondary from the seam.
Summary: Hayden Hurst is a good receiving TE prospect in the draft that projects well to the NFL. He has the athleticism to beat professional LBs and safeties in coverage. He also brings the physical style after the catch to break a tackle and make a big play. He also makes the difficult catch, in traffic. However he is not a good blocker, he is a below average blocker. He lacks the strength necessary and footwork could be better. However he will make his money as a receiver. He needs to do the small things to become a more consistent reliable threat at the next level. He needs to do better setting up defenders to create separation, learn how to get a clean release off the line and handle defenders that try to knock him off his route. He also needs to do better working back to the QB and making himself open. 2nd round grade but understand he is a below average blocker and disappoint you if expect him to add any value to the rushing attack blocking.
Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan
Game Film Evaluated:
Oklahoma State (2016)
Ohio (2017)
Analysis: Plus receiving TE option. He understands how to get open, create separation with route running and generates leverage effectively. He can make contested catches and make the catch in traffic. Long arms and uses his frame well. Excellent hands and makes tough catches with his hands. Willing blocker who gets into good position, lacks good strength and power to add good value to the run game. He can get open vs smaller and more athletic defenders with his body control, hands and understanding how to create leverage.
Summary: Tyler Conklin suffered a serious leg injury during the 2017 season that caused a drop in his production. He has a plus understanding how to run routes, create separation vs more athletic defenders and make difficult catches in traffic. He has the ideal length and body control to get open at the next level and make the catch. He needs to add core strength in his blocking to become at least an adequate blocker. He can make an impact as a receiver during his rookie season and compete for a starting job early in his career. 3rd round grade.
Mike Gesicki, Penn State
Game Film Evaluated:
Ohio State (2017)
Michigan (2017)
Michigan State (2017)
Analysis: Runs good crisp routes. Lacks good burst and long speed to stretch a defense down the seam. He creates separation with his ability to change directions quickly. Below average blocker who lacks hand strength and does not keep the feet moving once engaged. Impressive leaping ability who can go up and high point the ball. Plus athlete who has top leaping ability, make difficult catches and adjust to the ball in the air.
Summary: Mike Gesicki has the frame, leaping ability and knack for making difficult catches to be a good receiving TE option in the pros. However he lacks the speed and quickness to become a playmaker at the position to stretch the defense. He isn’t smooth out of his breaks to consistently create separation. He spent a lot of time blocking at Penn State but he isn’t a powerful, strong technique or good feet to suggest he will be able to handle NFL defenders in the run game. He needs to get stronger and drive defenders off the line and keep his feet moving laterally to seal off the edge and turn his man in close quarters. His athleticism suggest he is a better player than what he is right now so potential is there. I just fear the lack of speed and quickness will make it difficult to become a threat down the seam and running intermediate routes. 3rd round grade.
Dalton Schultz, Stanford
Game Film Evaluated:
Washington State (2017)
UCLA (2017)
Oregon (2017)
Analysis: Has the frame of a WR but no doubt has a TE mentality. He is a physical and effective blocker. He is able to set up defenders with his feet, keep them at bay with length and bury them to the ground with his strength. He is able to drive defenders off the LOS with his strength and leg drive. He is able to handle pass rushers on his own even when he has help from an offensive lineman. Gets in and out of breaks effectively and can leave defenders coming up empty on option routes. The offense at Stanford did not allow for as many opportunities for him to make as many catches as other offenses would have.
Summary: Dalton Schultz has the frame of an athletic receiving TE but this guy will knock you on your tail if you aren’t ready for him. He is more than capable of handling himself in any blocking assignment inline or split out wide. He has the tools to be an adequate pass protector in max protection. He is able to get in and out of breaks quickly and smoothly during the limited snaps he was asked to do so at Stanford. He was not used as a receiving option that often so there is an unknown about his route tree, finding holes in the zones and working back to the QB when the play breaks down. However if you want a TE who can add value to your rushing attack, handle blitz pick up assignments well and bring a physical element to the position then you will not be disappointed. I feel his best football is ahead of him and his experiences as a blocker and a physical one at that will serve him well as a professional. He could be a starting TE especially if he develops good chemistry with the starting QB and takes good coaching to maximize his talent. 3rd round grade.
Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
Game Film Evaluated:
Indiana (2017)
Iowa (2017)
Minnesota (2017)
BYU (2017)
Analysis: Average athlete. Runs good crisp routes, doesn’t round off the corners. Solid hands. Better technique as a blocker, keeps good extension and keeps the feet moving to seal off the edge and wall off the hole. Not a plus athlete capable of running routes split out wide and beat NFL defenders. Able to make catches in traffic and use his frame to box out defenders in close quarters. Excellent position blocker who consistently gets in good position to handle his man, seal off the edge, turn his man effectively. However he lacks the core strength to be able to drive his man downfield and knock them off the line in short yardage situations.
Summary: Troy Fumagalli is a slightly above average prospect who runs good routes, catches the ball effectively and blocks well. However he lacks the tools to be a plus starter with average speed and quickness to generate separation consistently. Most of his completions come on underneath routes and his downfield catches are more a result of the defense and playcall than his ability to work his way open, find the soft spots and make the difficult catch. He looks like a good second TE to make double TE formations work well but is an average starting prospect. 4th round grade who should go to a team that likes to run the ball from double TE formations like New England or Dallas.
Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
Game Film Evaluated:
Georgia (2018)
TCU (2017)
Houston (2016)
Analysis: Slightly above average athlete. Struggles to get in and out of breaks quickly. Not a smooth route runner. Excellent hands. He has good feel for getting open and can be an adequate safety valve. Willing blocker. Lacks ideal length to neutralize blockers. Gives good effort and above average footwork to position himself effectively. Not strong at the POA. Works back to the QB well. He knows how to set up defenders to create separation. Almost all his routes are in the short range with a few in the intermediate area. Struggled to create separation on the intermediate routes against the plus athletes at Georgia. Does not have good leaping ability.
Summary: Mark Andrews is a very good college TE but is limited athletically when projecting to the NFL. He has good size, bulk and average athleticism for the position. However he is not quick off the line, smooth in and out of breaks to create separation vs more athletic players. He is not a threat to beat defenses down the seam in the pros. He gives good effort as a blocker and knows how to get into proper position and uses his hands well. However he lacks the core strength to drive defenders off the line and would be a liability if left to handle a rusher on a passing play. Andrews is a fine receiving option on underneath routes and occasional intermediate routes as a second TE for an offense that employs a lot of double TE personnel groupings. He would not be a good starting option but a fine second TE and capable of filling in for a short period of time. The concern is NFL defenses would not have to dedicate a strong cover defender to neutralize him at the next level. 4th round grade.
Ian Thomas, Indiana
Game Film Evaluated:
Ohio State (2017)
Penn State (2017)
Analysis: Excellent ideal frame for the position. Good height, carries weight well. Good athleticism. Poor route runner, he rounds off his routes consistently. Effort level is inconsistent from snap to snap. When he turns it on, his speed jumps out but that talent isn’t on display nearly enough. Poor blocker in both run and pass protection. Footwork is a mess and brings no power at the POA. He has good hands and able to adjust to the poorly thrown ball. He prefers to lower the shoulder when going into his blocks instead of using proper form and his whole body into the block. He can make the difficult catch look easy whether one handed or turning his body to make the adjustment. Adequate speed but not someone with elite burst or quickness.
Summary: Ian Thomas is a frustrating prospect as he flashes at times his talent but leaves a lot to be desired during the games observed. He has the frame and strength to suggest he should be at least an adequate blocker but he gets overpowered by college defenders consistently, gets zero push or able to seal off the hole. You do not see the same player in terms of effort and motor from snap to snap. He is not a good route runner and did not display good feel for finding the soft spots in a zone and working back to the QB. His hands are very good and has the quickness to stretch a field down the seam when his motor is hot. Considerably risky player and remains to be seen whether he is motivated to improve his game and fulfill his potential. He should be one of the most complete TEs in the class and he is certainly capable of that. However if his lack of effort, blocking, route running do not improve, he will be nothing more than just a backup TE. 4th round grade.
Simmie Cobbs, Indiana
Game Film Evaluated:
Ohio State (2017)
Maryland (2017)
Analysis: Good frame with room to add weight. Slow off the line. Struggles to get off press coverage. Adjust well to the poorly thrown ball. He can go up and high point the ball. He excels at making contested passes especially when he can use his frame and length over the defender. He was unable to bring down a defensive lineman on a INT the final 15 yards that result in a TD for Ohio State. Nothing with his game happens quickly. He is capable of much more in the run blocking, he falls off blocks far too easily than someone with his size should. He flashes more speed at times but it does not show up consistently on film. This kid absolutely owns the endzone, he just wants it more from the defender and he will come away with 50/50 balls than most receivers. He has a long stride and takes long to get up to speed. He slows down too much when changing directions and running his routes. Struggles to create separation. He finds soft spots in the zone and becomes an option for the QB when the initial route doesn’t work.
Summary: Simmie Cobbs needs to make a position change to have a chance to be successful in the NFL. He needs to add weight and become a TE since he lacks the speed, quickness and fluid motion to stay at wide receiver. He has excellent frame for the positon, good hands and comfortable making difficult catches. He is absolutely a beast near the goal line and will win most of those match ups. He needs to improve his route tree as he primarily ran stop, slants and go routes in college. Creating separation will always be an issue for him and his blocking will have to improve for him to have any chance at a starting job in the pros. He might test well at the combine but his game film does not support a player with good speed or capable of being anything more than a short area possession exclusive receiver or adequate receiving TE option. 4th round grade as a TE and 6th round as a WR.
Durham Smythe, Notre Dame
Game Film Evaluated:
LSU (2017)
Texas (2016)
Analysis: Solid frame and comfortable lining up both inline and split out wide. He was primarily used as a blocker in school. He moves well in space but nothing stands out from an athleticism stand point. He is not quick or able to burst into the secondary. Good hands and makes the catch in position. Average blocker who sets up well and gets into proper position. Not strong or powerful at the POA. He is not someone who can drive defenders off the line.
Summary: Durham Smythe is an average blocking TE who is not much of a threat as a receiver. He is going to have a struggle to creates separation consistently at the next level and would be best utilized as part of a double TE base personnel offense. He can add value sealing off the edge of a hole. However I don’t see the power and strength that can add significant value. 5th round grade.
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