Tyler Higbee, TE Western Kentucky: 2016 NFL Scouting Report
By Brady Lunt
The 2016 class of tight ends is one that lacks the luster of previous years, headlined by the former Razorback Hunter Henry. The lack of star power may seem detrimental for some prospects, however it really should be seen as an opportunity for others to rise in the rankings. The tight end position is one that is not necessarily popular to draft, with a lot of uncertainty regarding how their talents will translate to the NFL level. However, each year more and more of the players at the position are coming in to the draft with greater size and athleticism. One of these intriguing prospects is Western Kentucky’s Tyler Higbee.
Measurables
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 249 lbs
Year: Senior
Strengths
Tyler Higbee used to be a wide receiver and it shows on his tape. He has fluid athleticism and has good speed with nice acceleration. Has big, soft hands and doesn’t drop the ball often. Shows good control throughout his routes and a knack for pulling in difficult catches. Does a nice job in and out of his breaks, bursting off the line of scrimmage and shows a good stutter-step. Is a true mismatch with the speed to overtake linebackers and the size to go over safeties. Has the speed and toughness to play all over the field. Is physical after the catch, not afraid to hit would be tacklers and fight for extra yards. Extremely competitive and looks to make the most of each play.
The clip below are highlights of Tyler Higbee against Marshall. In the game, Higbee had six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. An impressive performance that showed his toughness as well as mismatch abilities. Forward to 3:29 to see his first touchdown. Soon thereafter, you see his fight for yards after the catch.
Weaknesses
Will need to work on filling out his frame if he is going to live up to the rigors of the NFL. Doesn’t possess the blocking technique to be as effective in the run game, despite possessing decent power in his drive. While he shows good control, he’s not the most refined route-runner. Also will need to shed the injury label after suffering a knee injury that cost him four games before re-aggravating it during their conference championship game. The injury prevented him from participating during their bowl game and the Senior Bowl. The medicals will need to check out before he’ll be considered for a higher-round pick.
Final Thoughts
Tyler Higbee is definitely an athletic specimen, showing the traits that are becoming more and more appealing in today’s NFL. His size, speed, toughness, and competitiveness make him a tremendous mismatch all over the field. While his blocking needs a lot of work, he has the frame to add more weight and become a more powerful player. He has a tremendous amount of upside and could be a solid player for a team willing to invest some time and training.
Round Projection: 4th-5th Round