NFL Draft TE Wes Saxton Looking to Shine in NFL

Coming out of South Alabama, tight end Wes Saxton is looking to show NFL teams that he can do it all — even if it means he’ll have to adjust his style to fit an offense.

The well-rounded Saxton has been playing football since the age of six, and he’s the first in his family to actually play the sport. Despite athletic bloodlines that had experience in other sports, the 6’3″ Saxton has clung to football as his true passion.

Sep 7, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; South Alabama Jaguars tight end Wes Saxton (13) runs after a catch against the Tulane Green Wave during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

“[My parents have] always been very supportive. Dad was a basketball player, Mom was a basketball player, but there was always something about football that stuck with me, so it’s what I stuck with.”

Despite the passion for football, Saxton isn’t a natural tight end.

He played in the defensive backfield at safety his entire life before transitioning to a wide receiver late in high school.

He eventually switched to the tight end spot during his one year at Itawamba Community College in Mississippi, where he then transferred to South Alabama in 2012.

Despite being what some would consider a “raw” prospect, Saxton says he uses his past in the defensive backfield as an advantage.

For a tight end, knowing the safety position is key.

“It helps me a lot,” Saxton said of having a past as a DB. “I can use that to see what the safety is thinking. It’s definitely a big help and an advantage.”

Another advantage that stands out in Saxton’s tape is his rare combination of size and speed. The athleticism is real when you turn on the tape, something Saxton knows he has to use to his advantage.

Along with his ability to read coverages, he says one particular ability stands out when he pictures his success in the NFL.

“Definitely being in a spread offense, I’m not asked to block much so blocking is what I’ll have to work on … My advantage I would say is mismatches. I can definitely create those.”

Sep 13, 2014; Mobile, AL, USA;South Alabama Jaguars tight end Wes Saxton (13) tries to stiff arm his way past Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Zach Jackson (14) in the third quarter at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mississippi State defeated South Alabama, 35-3. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Preparing for the NFL Draft, Saxton says it’s the NFL Scouting Combine that stands out as one of the top highlights. There wasn’t much time for anything other than football, but he says it was an experience he won’t ever forget.

“It was definitely a cool experience,” he said. “You didn’t get much sleep (laughs), but it’s a lot of meetings and a lot of football talk. They put you on the board, to see what you know as far as the game of football … it was a fun experience from my standpoint.”

Among the highlights? The interviews.

Saxton says he met with four NFL teams — for the most part the interviews were strictly football talk.

However he admits the “are you a cat or a dog?” question did pop up.

“It depends on the team. Some coaches are very serious, and others are laid back but when it all comes down to it, all of the coaches just want to win. It’s more business that anything. I treated it as a business trip. That’s how I looked at it.”

Moving forward, Saxton says he’s working daily to prepare for his Pro Day. On the national stage, he’s received much attention. Here’s a quote from NFL.com, detailing what the sleeper does best:

"Very quick into his route off the snap. Sticks a foot in the ground and opens up quickly to offer quarterback a clean target with good catch radius. Willing to extend and make tough catches in traffic. Too quick for many linebackers on intermediate routes. Former high school receiver who shows some suddenness out of breaks. Hands-catcher. Traits to be a matchup problem on next level."

As noted here as well, matchup problems will come with Saxton’s leap into the NFL.

He says he feels he can be a player who lines up all over the offensive formation, including as a hybrid fullback out of the backfield.

When it all boils down, what should an NFL team expect when drafting this South Alabama product?

Saxton is confident it’ll be smooth ride.

“Definitely no trouble. I’m not a trouble maker at all. An explosive player with great hands that can create mismatches on the field.”