Tyler Eifert- 2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Positives:
+ Stats- Been really productive at Notre Dame; 282 receiving yards freshman year, already 347 5 games into his sophomore year
+ Size- prototypical, 6’6 250lb frame
+ Blocking- good blocker for size
+ Character- plays the game with as much passion and effort as any tight end I have ever seen
+ Hands- never seen him drop a pass, doesn’t trap passes against his frame
+ Route running- Extremely fluid route runner with loose hips and deceptive footwork
Negatives:
– Speed- good short area speed, but pretty bad long speed for a first round prospect
– Big play ability- not much in the red zone, can’t get yards after the catch, not very powerful with the ball in his hands
I love Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert. He isn’t a highly publicized prospect, namely due to the fact that he isn’t expected to enter the draft (he’s a redshirt sophomore), but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a first round draft pick if he enters the draft this year.
Eifert has solid size and speed. He has good height and bulk, but his speed is mediocre. Although he reaches top speed extremely quickly, his top speed is mediocre at best, and it limits him as a deep receiver,
Eifert has been very productive at Notre Dame. After Kyle Rudolph was injured early in the 2010 season, Eifert came in and was immediately productive, getting 282 receiving yards his redshirt freshman season. He has been very productive so far in 2011, getting 352 receiving yards in 5 games. He is also extremely consistent. However, his yards per catch has always been unspectacular, and he had a pretty bad back injury his true freshman year, and he ended up taking a medical redshirt that season.
Eifert has good hands. I’ve never seen him drop a pass, he doesn’t trap passes against his frame, and he shows elite body control in the air. He is also very good at adjusting to the poorly thrown football.
Eifert is a good route runner. Although he lacks the speed to create a lot of separation between him and his defenders, he uses his size and physicality to create space in the open field. He also accelerates very quickly into his routes, and has extremely loose hips, giving him elite change of direction skills and quickness in and out of his breaks.
Eifert has versatility. He often lines up in the slot for Notre Dame, and he is very productive when he is lined up in the slot, similar to Jermichael Finley with the Packers.
Eifert is a good blocker. He plays the game with ridiculous on field intensity, he is tough, he has great strength, and he has extremely long arms that he uses to drive defenders off the ball. However, he has mediocre on field awareness as a blocker, he struggles to create a wide base, and he struggles to sustain blocks.
Eifert has good character. He has no off the field issues to my knowledge, and he plays the game with unbelievable on field intensity. Character definitely isn’t an issue for Eifert.
Overall, Eifert looks like a great NFL prospect. I have a feeling he will be a great player in the NFL, and he’ll be a safe pick for any team in the draft.
NFL comparison: Todd Heap, except Eifert is a much better blocker.
Grade: 95 (deserves to be a mid first round prospect)
Projection: 93 (will be a mid-to-late first round pick)
Video
vs Stanford Cardinal (jmpasq on youtube)