NFL Draft Guide 2022
Tight Ends
Austin Allen Nebraska 6”8 253lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Better body control at catch point than expected (Oklahoma)
Pass/Run Blocking
Struggles to win the leverage battle run blocking
Used as lead blocker often- good effort/ more of a “wall you off blocker”
Little pass protection reps to speak of
Receiving/Route Running/RAC
Very reliable hands (1 drop last season 38rec)/ takes the punishment after the grab over middle (w/ hands)
Red zone upside- huge catch radius (open when he’s not)
Big seam threat/ sit down middle of field
Broke out last season over 600yds receiving
Very slow off the line
Not much of a separator vs man coverage- not explosive or dynamic
Role/Grade: Middle of field/Seam or red-zone target well suited for delayed routes
Comp:
Proj: Rd.
Trae Berry Boston College (From Jacksonville St) 6”7 245lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Size could become occasional red zone target
Pass/Run Blocking
Receiving/Route Running/RAC
Slow mover/ won’t create separation vs man coverage
Role/Grade: Delay/ underneath check-down option
Comp:
Proj: Rd. 7
Grant Calcaterra SMU
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Older prospect/ taken off time
Concussion history
Pass/Run Blocking
Receiving/Route Running/RAC
Shown separation ability vs man coverage- pretty good mover (in cuts/posts- attacking middle)
Preferred pass catching tight end not blocker
Role/Grade: #2 TE used as a receiving threat
Comp:
Proj: Rd. 4
Greg Dulcich UCLA 6”4 243lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Versatile receiving threat can line out wide
Pass/Run Blocking
Feet stop on contact as a cross blocker
Big time issues matching up w/ Kayvon (Oregon)
Struggles to latch and drive back defenders- can be moved around
Receiving/RAC
Has ability to high point passes in traffic
Can shake flat-footed safeties up the seam
Some juice (4.70 40) Can get behind 2nd level
Some nice grabs taking hits over the middle
Hands- has some concentration drops/ some drops unable to make the off-balance grab
Dial down to sit on routes can be a little delayed off right foot
Role/Grade:
Comp:
Proj:
Charlie Kolar Iowa State 6”6 260lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Functional athlete for all-around #2 TE
Pass/Run Blocking
Active run blocker- looking to get hands on anyone he can/ good knee bend
Not much push run blocking
Receiving/RAC
Used in a variety of ways: TE screes/ slot attacking seam
Tries to grab yards after the catch- doesn’t need to come to balance before taking off
Caching everything w/ hands away from body
Needs to tuck passes quicker/ vulnerable for punch-outs
Role/Grade:
Comp:
Proj: Rd. 5-6
Isaiah Likely Costal Carolina 6”5 245lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Even keeled post-play
Tweener build/ must add some more strength- hopefully keep movement skills
Pass/Run Blocking
Block positioning/ seals the edge for outside tackle runs
Looks for work as a second level moving blocker (great effort has reps running defenders 20 yards down field) seen full takedown vs Kansas
Size to move line of scrimmage is lacking in-line
Can be stood up hitting lineman/ no pop
Receiving/RAC
Fluid mover as route runner/ works to sell double moves
Pretty natural hands seen (900+ yds 2021)
Can go to work w/ ball in hands- smooth body control
Respectable deep speed/ not a burner
Has reps struggling through contact underneath routes
Route timing can be forced a tick off
Role/Grade: Flexible Tight End can line at slot/ should add some mass
Comp:
Proj: Rd. 2-3
Trey McBride Colorado State 6”4 260lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Adequate receiving athlete
Pass/Run Blocking
Power blocker- puts everything into each rep/ finishing ability (2 in one play vs Utah State)
Looks for work run blocking/ inline ability
Can wiff/ slide by blocking downhill-leaning forward/ hands can get caught outside of chest
Receiving/RAC
Some juice in cuts/ has line out wide vs corners- slants
High confidence in hands- doesn’t slow down to gather passes
Displayed focus to complete process taking hits
Deep middle threat in pass game/ can be reliable check down option in rollouts (flats)
Lacks jump off the line- allows defenders to slow him w/ physicality in release
Role/Grade:
Comp:
Proj: Rd. 2-3
Thomas Odukoya 6”6 263lbs Eastern Michigan (From West Hills College/Garden City Community College)
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
2 Senior seasons (Team captain)/ Senior earned #2 jersey in 2020 on/off field “Deuce”
Noted he had 28BP in off-season
Communicates w/ QB Pre-snap
32 7/8 arms
Pass/Run Blocking
Used as lead blocker in pistol/ attacks like a truck
Can move defensive ends/ hold the point of attack
“I want my team to run behind me, I love blocking.”
Displaces smaller linebackers in-line to seal run lanes
Works hard to close space (Ali Fayad Western Michigan)
Head up into second level/ active feet through contact
Leaves hands out- can be pushed and lose balance
Drives a little high- stops some downhill movement
Feet get a little stagnant in pass protection on edge
Can be outreached run blocking
Receiving/RAC
Very limited receiving production (13rec/130yds/2TD 2021)/ not in scheme for it
Came off the field on some spread/ obvious pass looks
Little burst out of cuts/ more balanced route runner
Role/Grade:
Comp:
Proj: Rd.
Jeremy Ruckert Ohio State 6”5 250lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Pass/Run Blocking
Notable success latching onto defensive backs (Penn State, Akron)
Went to battle w/ Karlaftis did well run positioning inline- showed redirect in pass pro
Not much driving defenders on second level blocks
Can overrun block positioning- no movement/ or whiffs
Loses connection trying to move front 7 players (not a very composed blocker)
Can get too wide on edge or crack blocks getting beat inside
Receiving/RAC
Catches away from body/ quickly gets to tuck
Nice delay flat target
Can line up in-line or from slot w/ movement pre-snap (route tree limited- mainly a sit down zone target)
Some impressive one-handed grabs (Alabama/Penn State)
Can bounce off defenders strong upper body if hit high (defenders must attack down low)
No threatening speed working the seams
Won’t create much space crossing middle vs man coverage
Role/Grade: Used to pull/ cross-block
Comp:
Proj: Rd. 4-5
Cole Turner Nevada 6”7 246lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Pass/Run Blocking
No
Receiving/RAC
Lines up one on one vs CB in red-zone situations
Displayed some route strength to play through contact
Pretty diverse route runner- has lined in slot to run wheels (Boise State)
Role/Grade:
Comp:
Proj: Rd.
Jelani Woods Virginia 6”7 275lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Play speed does not match 40 speed
Pass/Run Blocking
Run blocking- doesn’t move defenders/ should improve bend- inconsistent winning leverage battle off the line & hand usage (active worker needs plenty of work)- not preferred option to run block
Blocking connection is hit and miss/ not used for pass protection
Receiving/RAC
High point red zone target/ boxes out defenders
Smooth pass catcher/ can work from outside and slot
Displays solid body control to adjust to passes behind
Impressive balance to transition catch into run after catch (11 forced missed tackles)
Uses play strength to separate underneath
Consistent seam threat (Benders)
Adjusts to zone coverage well
Holds route integrity well/ not giving tells on stem into cuts (Vs Illinois in route)
Route acceleration is underwhelming
High cut route runner/ can be a tad delayed breaking down and struggle w/ multiple cuts
Needs to be aware of arm extension creating space
Role/Grade: In-line middle of the field receiving threat best suited for one cut/ must improve run blocker
Comp:
Proj: Rd.
Jaylen Wydermyer Texas A&M 6”5 255lbs
Tight Ends
Athlete/Versatility
Needs to watch for false starts
Heavy on feet
Pass/Run Blocking
Not much of a people mover/ can be drove back a few yards at point of attack- still connects will
C-O-D Run blocking balance at second level isn’t great
Receiving/RAC
Role/Grade:
Comp:
Proj: Rd.