Miami Dolphins Select Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri 2012 NFL Draft Grade

With the 78th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins have selected Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

Here is our report on Egnew:

Pros–Built like a tree…deceptively strong athlete…really reliable receiver…red zone nightmare…creates mismatches…improved blocker….but still a work in progress…pretty good feel in zone coverage…breaks arm tackles…very nice ball skills to catch the football in his hands at the highest point…really comfortable splitting wide…speedy for a tight end, creates yards after the catch

Cons–Not productive this year with offensive transition…could stand to add some bulk…could improve his run blocking…has to adjust to playing with his hand on the ground all the time, if not he’ll be a situational tight end or have to play in a system like the Colts…

Player comparison--Jared Cook

Projected round: Despite a relatively poor season in production (though those numbers have been improving here late in October), Egnew is likely to be a day two pick, possibly in the second round.

NFLmocks preseason bio

Egnew will likely remind a lot of scouts of Jermaine Gresham, the former Oklahoma Sooners tight end and first round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. Egnew was an absolute beast in the passing game last season, earning consensus first team All American honors after a season where he caught 90 of his 97 career passes for 762 yards and five touchdowns. Three times in 2010 Egnew had 10 or more receptions, including a game where he caught 13 passes for 145 yards. Outstanding student-athlete who will graduate in December, and follows in the footsteps of some big time pass receiving tight ends to come through Missouri in recent years. Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman really paved the way as some of the top targets of Chase Daniel, and now Egnew will do the same, but he is probably the best overall prospect of them all. Tall, lanky receiver with speed in the open field and great body control. Excellent red zone target with big hands, knows how to make the big play. Works the seam really well coming from a spread style offense, and can split out wide in the NFL and create mismatches on nickel defensive backs. Simply dwarfs defensive backs, especially around the red zone, where he will be a nightmare to cover. Will need to work on more sophisticated route running and run blocking skills to make it as a tight end in the league, but in an offense like Indianapolis that utilizes two tight ends all the time, he could be the ideal “Dallas Clark” type of player. Very long arms and a great vertical leap that will make him a fantastic asset in the passing game, and he has the frame to absolutely add 10-15 pounds of muscle and not lose any quickness or agility. Could be a first round pick in next year’s draft, but premiums are typically not placed on tight ends. He will not last past the 2nd round barring injury.

Pick Grade: B

The Dolphins get a guy who can make plays in the vertical game, but he has a ton to learn about getting open on other routes and blocking. This is a decent pick though based on his ability to go up and get jump balls.