Draft Profile Series: Austin Seferian-Jenkins
- Updated: May 4, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as a mock draft.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, 6-5½, 262, Washington
Key stats: Had 146 receptions for 1,840 yards and 21 TDs in three seasons.
Strengths: Good size and length for position. … Doesn’t drop many passes. … Willing blocker, who has versatility to play wide and in-line. … Shows good awareness in finding holes in zone coverage. … Has enough speed to challenge deep seams. Is best running down hashes due to good straight-line speed. … Has very good hands, and is a true threat in the red zone. … Can post up defenders and outfight them for ball in tight areas.
Weaknesses: Not elite athlete. … Has average quickness. … Will not make many defenders miss. … Doesn’t sustain blocks and can be bullied by stronger linemen/linebackers. … Does not anchor in pass protection and often gets manhandled. … Isn’t quick in and out of breaks, and will have trouble with rangy, athletic linebackers and safeties in the NFL. … Had DUI in March, so decision making is also a concern.
Conclusion: Watching tape on Seferian-Jenkins gives me the impression he is talented enough to be a starter in the league, but he will have to really improve his blocking. … He is not going to be a matchup nightmare as a receiver for opposing defenses, so he needs to become more of a dual-threat tight end. … He can beat some linebackers, but doesn’t possess the speed or quickness to require more than single coverage. … He is best against zone schemes due to his ability to find holes in zones. … If he can get stronger and become better while in-line, he’ll force more favorable matchups. … Better run blocker than pass protector.
NFL comparison: Ed Dickson.
Draft projection: Second or third round.
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