Tag: Scouting Reports

Pre-draft scouting: What scouts said about Colts DT Adetomiwa Adebawore

Here’s what the scouting reports said about Colts DT Adetomiwa Adebawore.

The Indianapolis Colts added more depth and upside to the defensive line during the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft when they selected Adetomiwa Adebawore out of Northwestern.

The No. 110 overall pick, which the Colts acquired in a draft-day trade, Adebawore spent most of his college career as an edge rusher. However, the Colts see him best as a three-technique to work behind starter DeForest Buckner.

Here’s what the draft analysts had to say about Adebawore before the Colts made the pick at No. 110 overall:

Pre-draft scouting: What scouts said about Colts OT Blake Freeland

Here’s what the scouts said about Colts OT Blake Freeland before the draft.

The Indianapolis Colts began Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft by addressing one of their biggest needs on the roster, selecting offensive tackle Blake Freeland out of BYU.

Taken with the No. 106 overall pick, Freeland was known as a prospect with good size and elite athleticism in the eyes of Relative Atheltic Score (RAS). He has experience working on both sides of the offensive line and should have a role carved out as a swing tackle to begin his career.

Here’s what the draft analysts had to say about Freeland before the Colts made the pick at No. 106 overall:

Pre-draft scouting: What scouts said about Colts WR Josh Downs

Here’s what the pre-draft scouting reports said about Colts WR Josh Downs.

The Indianapolis Colts made sure to get their rookie quarterback a viable weapon in the middle of the field when they selected wide receiver Josh Downs in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The North Carolina product may be undersized at 5-foot-9 and 171 pounds—a far cry from the typical archetype the Colts target—but he’s a crafty route runner with reliable hands who plays bigger than his size.

Here’s what the pre-draft scouting reports said about Downs before the Colts made the selection at No. 79 overall:

Pre-draft scouting: What scouts said about Colts CB Julius Brents

Here’s what the pre-draft scouting reports said about Colts CB Julius Brents.

After grabbing their hopeful franchise quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts turned around on Day 2 to add a potential cornerstone piece of the secondary in the form of cornerback Julius Brents.

The Indy native and Warren Central alum was high on the Colts’ board to begin Day 2. They were able to move back twice in the second round via trades before making the selection of Brents, who has a chance to compete for a Week 1 starting role as a boundary corner.

Here’s what the draft analysts had to say about Brents before the Colts made the pick at No. 44 overall:

What draft experts said about new Packers defensive lineman Colby Wooden

Scouting reports from draft experts on new Packers DL Colby Wooden, a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers continued adding to the defensive front by taking Auburn’s Colby Wooden with the 116th overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Wooden produced 30.0 tackles for loss and 15.0 sacks while starting every game for Auburn over the last three seasons.

Want to learn more about Wooden, who has a chance to give the Packers an athletic interior rusher in the Kingsley Keke mold? Here’s what several prominent draft analysts said about Wooden during the pre-draft process:

Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide): “A three-year starter at Auburn, Wooden was the starting defensive end in former defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding’s four-man front, although most of his snaps came inside the offensive tackle as 4i or 3-technique. His production improved each of the last three seasons and he is one of only nine Tigers to reach 30 career tackles for loss over the last 25 years. Wooden is very active off the ball with the lower-body agility and limb quickness to play in gaps. However, his block
destruction is undeveloped and he must do a better job staying on schedule to make a living battling NFL blockers. Wooden isn’t consistently disruptive when rushing from the outside, but he can set the edge or reduce down where his rush skills are more effective on the interior. He offers position flexibility as a rotational base end or 3-technique as an NFL rookie capable of ascending to starter.”

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Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Defensive line prospect whose steady weight gain and frame development have allowed him to see the game at a variety of alignments. Wooden is at his most disruptive when attacking from the interior. He has a quick first step to attack gaps and threaten the pocket, but he’s unable to sit down and drop a deep anchor against bullies in the run game. Wooden’s activity level and hand skill are the keys to his current and future success — they allow him to keep pressure on blockers from snap to whistle. High football character and scheme versatility work in Wooden’s favor, but he will need to find the right team fit.”

Pro Football Focus (draft guide): “Wooden is a bit of a tweener, as he played on the interior for Auburn yet clocked in at the combine at only 278 pounds. He was still productive on tape and earned a career-high 80.2 grade in 2021.”

Bleacher Report Scouting Department: “Colby Wooden has an interesting draft profile. He has a good combination of strength and athleticism that will show up on tape as a run defender but doesn’t seem to translate to his pass rush. When his hands are right, he’s strong at the point of attack and can get extension against offensive linemen to help disengage from blocks and make tackles near the line of scrimmage. He’s even better when slanting, where he can use his quickness and agility to make blockers miss. However, Wooden’s pass-rush skills leave something to be desired. While he’s shown flashes of winning with a hand swipe or push-pull, neither of those moves is consistent enough for him to hang his hat on at the next level. Teams are either going to have to be patient and work with him in that regard or get him moving on line games to be able to impact the quarterback in the passing game. Schematically, the Auburn product is a bit of a tweener where he’s a little light to play as a 4i-technique in odd fronts and isn’t a good enough pass-rusher to line up outside the tackle in even fronts. His best option is likely to play in the former scheme and bulk up. Overall, Wooden is a solid, middle-round defensive lineman whose versatility could be intriguing to some teams. He could be a good player as the fourth or fifth guy on the depth chart who mixes into the rotation.”

The Draft Network: “Overall, Wooden has the making of a highly-productive and impactful defensive lineman. His blend of size and strength at the point of attack allows him to play on run downs. The developmental upside as a pass rusher and pocket-collapser is tantalizing. Being asked to play at a consistent rate with technique, leveraging, etc will help as well. Wooden has the chance to be a three-down defensive lineman that teams will love to have.”

33rd Team: “Colby Wooden played all over the defensive front for Auburn, but he most likely projects as a strong-side defensive end in the NFL. While he lacks initial quickness, he is a good athlete who can work the edge of a blocker and be disruptive vs. the run and pass. Wooden could work his way into a valuable rotational role in the NFL.”

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What draft experts said about new Packers tight end Tucker Kraft

Scouting reports from draft experts on new Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, a third-round pick in the 2023 draft.

Taking advantage of a deep tight end class, the Green Bay Packers doubled down at the position, selecting Tucker Kraft out of South Dakota State with the 78th overall pick in the 2023 draft.

The Packers believe they have gotten one of the more well-rounded tight ends in the draft as Kraft finished his college career with 99 receptions for 1,211 yards and nine touchdowns while also proving to be a capable blocker.

Want to learn more about Kraft, who has a chance to follow in the same footsteps as former Jackrabbit Dallas Goedert? Here’s what several prominent draft analysts said about Kraft during the pre-draft process:

Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide): “A three-year starter at South Dakota State, Kraft was a hybrid tight end (inline, wing and slot) in the Jackrabbits’ balanced offense. After passing on lucrative NIL offers from programs like Alabama, he returned to Brookings in 2022 for what NFL scouts expected to be his breakout season, but an ankle injury in the first quarter of the opener vs. Iowa curtailed that plan (he still returned and helped the program win the 2022 FCS National Championship). As a pass catcher, Kraft is an outstanding catch-and-go creator with fluid adjustment skills and balanced feet. As a blocker, he might not be polished, but he gets after it with the body control and desire to sustain and finish blocks. Since 1976, South Dakota State has only produced two top-100 draft picks and both were tight ends (Dallas Goedert, the No. 49 pick in 2018 and Steve Heiden, No. 69 in 1999); Kraft should be the third. Overall, Kraft needs development time to refine his route running and blocking techniques, but he is big, strong and athletic with the ball skills and blocking tenacity to evolve into an NFL starter. His play style and talent are reminiscent of Foster Moreau.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Combination tight end with the projectable skill set to handle pass-catching and run-blocking duties at the next level. Currently, he’s a more effective blocker in space than in-line, but that is correctable with better hand usage and proper angles of entry into his base blocks. Kraft provides formational versatility that will be appealing for teams that make heavy use of 12 personnel (two tight ends). He has the body control and catch toughness to be more than just a traditional Y tight end. Kraft has Day 2 talent and should see the field early with a chance to become a TE1.”

Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus (draft guide): “Kraft is a raw physical athlete who possesses all the traits evaluators are looking for in a tight end. He has an excellent combination of size and speed but can definitely improve as a route runner. His best season came in 2021, when he put up 770 receiving yards and six touchdowns en route to an 89.1 PFF receiving grade. Unfortunately, Kraft got injured earlier this season, so he was not able to play as much as a junior. Nonetheless, his upside potential is still there. Believe it or not, Kraft is a very similar tight end to Dallas Goedert, who is also a South Dakota State product.”

Bleacher Report Scouting Department: “Tucker Kraft is a bet on an NFL-ready body type with a bundle of dangerous athletic traits. At 6’5″ and 254 pounds, Kraft is a matchup problem with the way he moves. His acceleration and speed aren’t quite elite, but they’re great for a player his size. Kraft can get a step on most linebackers and will give plenty of safeties issues as well. Kraft is also a smooth mover for his size. His change of direction is effortless, especially with the ball, and he has the explosiveness to leave defenders whiffing at nothing. Kraft’s blend of size and easy athletic ability allow him to move all over the formation, finding success at multiple tight end alignments as well as wide receiver alignments. He can be a bit of a skeleton key for his future NFL offense. Kraft is also a suffocating blocker. Though there are times where he plays a bit high, he generally has the foot speed and mobility to make up for it without toppling over. Kraft’s length, strength, and physical demeanor go a long way in allowing him to win most blocks, be it versus a defensive end or a linebacker at the second level. Kraft can block both in-line and as a moving wing piece, and he’s even shown good pass-protection reps on film. Unlocking Kraft’s potential comes down to the finer parts of the pass-catching realm. As of now, he is a clunky route-runner. Kraft clearly has the movement skills to improve, but he too often moves like he’s thinking about every step he takes, which slows him down. Sharp-breaking routes often take too many steps for him to finish off and explode out of. On top of that, Kraft’s ball tracking comes and goes. His hands are good when he finds the ball well, but his hand-eye coordination can fail him when throws aren’t straight in front of his facemask. Kraft is an exciting prospect. Tight ends with his size and athletic profile are exactly what the NFL is looking for, and he’s also stepping into the pros as a ready-made blocker. Better yet, it’s reasonable to expect Kraft to improve his deficiencies as a route-runner with good coaching. Kraft should fit into any offensive system, though he would probably be best-valued in an offense that prioritizes his yards-after-catch skills.”

The Draft Network: “Tucker Kraft looks to follow in Dallas Goedert’s footsteps and be the next South Dakota State tight end to be an early draft pick. Kraft entered the season with some hype as he was extremely productive as a sophomore in 2021, producing 780 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 65 receptions. Unfortunately, Kraft suffered an ankle injury during his junior season, which knocked him out for five games, so he wasn’t able to replicate his 2021 success. That said, as a prospect, Kraft didn’t fall in my eyes. Even though Kraft went to a small school, he has top-tier physical traits. He has excellent size and is very well built, possessing a wide upper body and thick lower half. Kraft lines up all across the formation—with snaps in-line, in the slot, and outside—and is relied upon heavily both in the run and passing game. He is an excellent athlete for his size, showcasing good speed, fluidity, and short-area quickness. A productive receiver, Kraft flashes very good body control and ball skills. He is a strong and physical runner who is tough to tackle after the catch. Kraft is just an average route-runner. He is best used on short and quick routes which get the ball in his hands early. That allows him to make things happen with his athletic ability. He has above-average hands overall but will have some drops, which are a concern. In the run game, Kraft is a willing player who does flash some power at the point of attack if he wins the leverage game early. While he has strength and effort, he must improve his pad level when blocking as well as his hand placement. He certainly is a plus player in the run game and will only get better at the next level. At this point in time, Kraft is more athletic than a nuanced football player, but his skill set is easy to project at the next level. He will be a complete tight end that has the athleticism to be a high-volume pass target who can make plays on his own thanks to his run instincts and strength while also being a solid run blocker.”

33rd Team: “Kraft is a very good athlete with great size and build. He has very good speed for the position and is a fluid, effortless mover. As a receiver, he shows solid route-running ability with a good stem at the top of his routes to separate, but does not run a wide variety of routes. He has a good ability to use his size and box out smaller defenders. He has just okay hands, he has some drops, but shows good technique not allowing the ball to get in on his body. He does have the ability to make big plays with open-field speed and run after the catch ability. As a blocker, he has traits but needs a lot of work. Tucker Kraft shows a good base and strength at the point of attack but his hands are all over the place and oftentimes he plays high.”

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What draft experts said about new Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed

Scouting reports from draft experts on WR Jayden Reed, the Packers’ second-round pick in the 2023 draft.

After back-to-back trade backs, the Green Bay Packers added another offensive weapon in Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed with the 50th overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Given the Packers’ history of drafting wide receivers in the second, most consider it a safe assumption that Reed has a bright future. He makes up for his lack of size (5-11, 187 lbs) by being a shifty athlete capable of making explosive plays.

Want to learn more about Reed, who has a chance to be a viable pass catcher for Jordan Love and a dynamic returner on special teams? Here’s what several prominent draft analysts said about Reed during the pre-draft process:

Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide): “A three-year starter at Michigan State, Reed was a perimeter receiver in offensive coordinator Jay Johnson’s offense. Although his senior year fell short of expectations because of injuries and the Spartans’ offensive struggles, he accounted for 46 explosive plays (20-plus yards) over the past two seasons and became just the third player in school history with multiple punt return touchdowns in the same season. Reed has outstanding foot quickness and skillfully throttles his route speed to separate from coverage. Despite dropping too many easy ones, his focus is heightened on contested windows, and he shows a knack for timing his leaps and snatching the football off the helmets of defensive backs. Overall, Reed will have a tougher time overcoming his slight size vs. NFL defensive backs, but his speed, route tempo and downfield ball skills are the ingredients of a potential NFL playmaker. With a few technical tweaks to his game, he has NFL starting ability (slot and outside) and adds value as a return man.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Utility wideout with the ability to take snaps at multiple receiver positions while offering both kickoff and punt return talent. Reed looks smaller in many of his matchups, but he is rarely deterred by size. He’s too tight-hipped for stop-start routes on the tree, but he operates with good route speed and should improve his ability to separate with additional development and experience on the next level. His ball skills and feel for positioning on deep throws and jump balls are unquestioned. Limiting his focus drops on short and intermediate throws will be critical to becoming a long-term NFL contributor.”

Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus (draft guide): “Reed has been a Swiss army knife throughout his college career. Whether it’s catching the ball, running the ball, or returning kicks and punts on special teams, Reed has been effective no matter what he’s been asked to do. Reed started his college career at Western Michigan before transferring to Michigan State during the COVID year. His best season came in 2021, as he recorded 1,674 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns while finishing with an 82.2 PFF grade. There are plenty of NFL teams who could use Reed’s unique skill set.”

Bleacher Report Scouting Department: “Jayden Reed is an undersized ball-winner with the tools and potential to grow into a complete receiver. Reed’s athletic profile is based on his speed and flashes of explosion. Reed comes off the ball well and has the acceleration to eat up cushions quickly. Once he’s rolling, Reed reaches a solid top speed that, while not elite, is enough to reasonably threaten vertical routes, both from the slot and inside. Reed also shows glimpses of great snappiness and explosion in his route-running, though it more commonly appears on in-breaking routes rather than out-breaking routes. Reed’s ball skills are what really shine. Though a little undersized, Reed has fantastic body control and the ability to contort his body to find the ball. He has great ball-tracking skills, both down the field and across the middle, and has strong hands to finish consistently. Reed even flashes the ability to play above the rim. That may not be a consistent part of his game at his size in the NFL, but it’s something he has in his bag. The biggest concerns with Reed come down to his play strength and alignment flexibility. Though Reed played outside some in college, that may not be in the cards in the NFL. Reed showed some struggles versus press coverage, both at the line and when being disrupted throughout his route. Reed is also a middling ball carrier. Despite excelling as a returner, Reed’s YAC skills are mediocre as a wide receiver. He can be a little slow to transition from catch to run and he doesn’t have any one dominant athletic trait to lean on as his weapon. Reed’s requisite speed and high-level ball skills are enough to make him an early contributor. He will be a reliable target who can take on a variety of route responsibilities, though mostly from the slot. Size and play strength will hold him back to a degree, but there’s enough in the rest of his skill set to overcome that and be a useful player.”

The Draft Network: “Jayden Reed is a redshirt senior wide receiver that has logged playing time in more than 30 career games, posting a career stat line of more than 2,000 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns. Throughout his career at Michigan State, Reed has shown to not only be a receiver but also a versatile offensive player—even contributing on as a special team returner. Reed has aligned in traditional receiver alignments at the X or Z but also in the slot, as the motion player in jet sweep action, and in the backfield. This versatility allowed for coordinators to find creative ways to get the ball into Reed’s hands so he can use his best trait: his run-after-catch ability. Reed is a receiver prospect with a strong lower half that makes him a difficult tackle in the open field. With the ball in his hands, Reed has the ability to use his strength to run through arm tackles, use his short-area quickness to make defenders miss in the open field, or accelerate pass defenders. Aligned in the traditional receiver position, Reed has made productive plays. From the slot, Reed can use his short-area quickness to separate from defenders and make himself available to the quarterback. Reed shows to be a high-IQ player and understands how to find the opening in zone coverage. Reed has also shown the ability to be an occasional deep threat. Reed excels at running deep over routes and posts. Overall, Reed is a wide receiver prospect whose best usage in the NFL may come from non-traditional alignments and finding a way to get the ball in his hands in open space to be able to use his plus trait of being a tough player to tackle in the open field. While Reed can be a versatile player, there are elements of his game that need to be improved. Reed is a good catch-in-traffic receiver but fails to really extend his hands away from his body to improve his catch radius. This allows defenders to be able to deflect passes and restricts his ability to make the difficult contested catch consistently. It also appears that Reed lacks true explosiveness. Reed is a player that is quicker than fast. Throughout his career, Reed has made big plays but they are not a direct correlation to Reed having elite speed. In the NFL, Reed’s skill set will allow him to fill multiple roles early in his career while he continues to work on the details of his game as he attempts to work his way to being the first or second option of an offense.”

33rd Team: “Reed is a speedy receiver who can play both inside and outside. He shows over-the-top speed to make big plays down the field. He also has good quickness, route-running ability and coverage awareness to be an effective option on shorter routes and over the middle of the field. Reed’s slender build will max out his ability to add strength and bulk. He had far too many drops with 20 total throughout his college career. He needs to work on technique, too many times he tries to catch the ball with his body rather than his hands. Overall he has speed that will allow him to be a productive player at the next level but needs to improve his hands and ability to win vs press coverage.”

What draft experts said about new Packers tight end Luke Musgrave

Scouting reports from draft experts on tight end Luke Musgrave, the Packers’ second-round pick in the 2023 draft.

The Green Bay Packers added an offensive weapon with the 42nd overall pick in the 2023 draft, selecting Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave.

Musgrave had his senior season cut short by a knee injury, but he was able to return for the Senior Bowl, where he turned heads with his elite athleticism and pass-catching ability.

Want to learn more about Musgrave, who has a legitimate chance to compete for TE1 duties right away in Green Bay? Here’s what several prominent draft analysts said about Musgrave during the pre-draft process:

Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide): “A two-year starter at Oregon State, Musgrave was a Y tight end in offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren’s run-heavy scheme, lining up both inline and in the slot. After two seasons as a backup behind two future NFL players Noah Togiai (Philadelphia Eagles) and Teagan Quitoriano (Houston Texans), he became a starter as a junior, but his targets were limited in the Beavers’ run-first offense and he missed almost all his senior year because of injury. An impressive size/speed athlete, Musgrave runs like a gazelle (elite high school track numbers for his size), and his lacrosse and skiing backgrounds translate to football with his core strength and hip fluidity as both a pass catcher and blocker. He blocks with outstanding body control and leverage to be a physical edge setter and engage defenders at the second and third levels, although he still needs to improve his sustain skills and steadiness as a pass blocker (only 5.9 percent of his career snaps on offense came in pass protection). Overall, Musgrave must continue to build up his football resume and overall consistency, but he is a high-level athlete with the route running and blocking talent to be a productive starting combo tight end in the NFL. He should be the first-ever Oregon State tight end drafted in the top 100 picks.”

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: “Musgrave is a tall, muscular tight end with elite play speed. Unfortunately, he missed all but two games of the 2022 season due to injury. He’s sudden in his release and is a weapon running down the seam. He pulls away from second-level defenders and can naturally high point the football. He is more of a home run hitter than an option-route player at this point in his development. He is consistent catching balls on his frame, but he struggles to reel in low passes when on the move. After the catch, he has the speed to pull away. He is a willing blocker and can effectively shield/wall off at the point of attack. Overall, Musgrave isn’t polished and he’s missed time, but he has the potential to emerge as the top tight end in the class.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Between the abbreviated 2020 season and an injury-shortened 2022 campaign, Musgrave’s snaps have been somewhat limited, but it’s easy to like what he’s put on tape. His route running harkens back to his slalom days with nimble feet and smooth hips helping to generate rhythm and separation in and out of breaks. He needs a little more bulk for combat in the trenches, but he offers what evaluators are looking for in technique, strain and demeanor. Musgrave has starter potential and should gain a coveted slot on draft boards from teams looking to add versatility to their 12 personnel (two tight ends) packages.”

Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus (draft guide): “Musgrave is a tremendous athlete, but his collegiate career has been littered with bad luck that has kept evaluators from seeing his best for any length of time. His four seasons in college included the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, where he caught 12 passes for 142 yards, and this past season, where a knee injury ended his year after just two games. The start of the 2022 season highlights why NFL teams will like him, though, as he averaged 3.38 yards per route run while totaling 89 and 80 yards in the first two games of the season.

Bleacher Report Scouting Department: “Luke Musgrave is a highly athletic tight end who may need to add some strength before he realizes his full potential. In simple terms, Musgrave is too tall and fast to cover easily. He’s 6’6″ but plays with airy change-of-direction skills and long, explosive strides that allow him to separate in the open field. He excels on deeper routes, such as seam routes, deep overs and corner routes that allow his athletic tools to shine. Moreover, Musgrave has the twitch and route-running chops for a full route tree, even from wide receiver alignments. Musgrave is fairly snappy at the top of his routes and can explode out of them in order to generate separation, a tough skill to find in most players his size. Combine that with his ability to track and reach the ball outside his frame, and you have a receiver who thrives in space. Musgrave is a solid blocker, too. His raw strength is about average, but he brings his game up a tier through great technique. Despite being 6’6″, he does well to find good leverage and play with a sound base under him. Likewise, he plays with smart, active hands and rarely ends up whiffing on his targets. He may not be a people-mover, but he gets the job done reliably. Where Musgrave struggles is with play strength as a pass-catcher. He is prone to getting jammed up at the line of scrimmage or rerouted early in routes. He doesn’t have the raw strength nor the crafty hand usage to combat it right now. Likewise, Musgrave can struggle when battling for position on the ball. He too often concedes positioning and allows defensive backs to get to the ball, disrupting his ability to finish plays in traffic. That’s going to be an issue against bigger, stronger NFL athletes. In all, Musgrave’s height, athletic tools and baseline blocking skills give him everything he needs to be a weapon. He can succeed as a field-stretching tight end who doesn’t have to leave the field on run downs, which gives him access to aggressive play-action concepts to make use of his speed. He will need to add weight and muscle in order to handle himself in traffic and over the middle of the field, however. Hopefully a year or two in an NFL weight training system can do the trick and unlock his potential.”

The Draft Network: “Tight end Luke Musgrave was a consensus three-star recruit and top-five-rated player in the state of Oregon. He spent time in high school at the defensive end and wide receiver positions in addition to tight end. Musgrave was a multi-sport athlete. Along with football, he participated in, lacrosse, ski racing, and track. This provides context to the plus athleticism that Musgrave possesses. NFL football runs through Musgrave’s bloodline. His uncle, Bill Musgrave, is the current offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. Also, he played quarterback in the NFL from 1991-1998 for multiple teams. Musgrave brings a big, athletic option in the passing game to an offense. Musgrave is alignment-fluid and versatile. If your offense wants to place him in-line as a traditional Y-tight end or split him into the slot, he can operate both well. As a pass-catcher, Musgrave has secure and reliable hands. He tracks the ball well and attacks it at the highest point. He is an adequate route-runner. He is at his best threatening vertically up the seams or across the field on benders (over route). If unimpeded, Musgrave’s speed can become a problem for linebackers. In the run game, he is a competitive blocker that gives maximum effort. Musgrave is more of a wall-off and seal blocker than a displacer. He does a good job using the defender’s momentum against them to cut them off from the ball carrier. As a result, he sells blocks well on TE leak or delay calls, allowing him to sneak past second and even third-level defenders downfield. Musgrave is a tremendous athlete and should test well this draft season. I do not see an overly explosive player on the field. He gallops and needs free releases to hit that top gear. When faced with physical coverage and resistance, Musgrave struggled to create separation on his routes. He does not play through contact well enough during his route stems. He can be impeded and slowed down if defenders can get their hands on him early in routes. His average play strength shows up in blocking sequences. Musgrave is not a uber-physical blocker—do not expect him to displace defenders. Also, he attempts to engage blocks with high hips and pad level. This limits his overall effectiveness as a man or gap scheme run blocker. Although Musgrave is versatile to align inline or detached, I believe his best reps come when he is in-line. As an NFL tight end, I envision Musgrave as a TE2 early in his career with the potential to develop into a starter. His value in the red zone is enticing. He can operate out of 12-personnel packages with two tight ends that can either use the pass or run game to move the football. Musgrave can stand to improve his play strength and defeat physical coverage quicker since time in the NFL is shorter for quarterbacks.”

33rd Team: “Musgrave has good upper body thickness but is narrow in his lower body. He is a good athlete with good speed and fluid hips. He has a good burst and the ability to stretch the field. He has a good stem at the top of his route to separate from his defender. He can run a variety of routes and has good quickness in and out of his cuts. He has solid hands with good technique catching the ball with his hands away from his body. He shows toughness and solid strength in contested catch situations. As a blocker, he shows good effort and toughness but lacks strength at the point of attack. He is a wall-and-shield type of blocker who just gets in the way rather than blowing his guy off the ball. He has a good ability to block in space and takes good angles.”

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NFL Draft: Tyler Forness’ big board 1.0

After scouting 50 players in this draft cycle, @TheRealForno releases his first big board consisting of only the players he’s watched.

The NFL draft is only 31 days away and we are getting closer and closer to seeing how things will shake out.

Throughout the last few months, I have spent a lot of time scouting players and writing scouting reports on the best of the best. While I haven’t gotten through all of the top players, I have officially completed 50 scouting reports across multiple positions, with more than half of them coming from the cornerback and wide receiver positions.

Keep in mind that I haven’t watched any offensive lineman or Jalen Carter yet, but I have gotten to nearly all of the first round talent in this draft. I will be getting to them over the coming weeks and updating my big board in time.

Without further ado, here are the top 50 players that I have scouted so far with the top 21 having first round grades.

2023 NFL draft: C.J. Stroud scouting report

Everything you need to know about Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud heading into the 2023 NFL draft

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One of the most prolific passers in all of college football last season, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud brings a polished, pro-ready skill set to the game’s most important position.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Buckeyes’ signal-caller: