Gerald Everett draws big time comparison before the draft

2017 NFL Draft: South Alabama star tight end Gerald Everett has drawn some top 40 hype and now has a lofty comparison attached to his name…

The 2017 NFL Draft is filled with big time tight end prospects, but one guy that is perhaps flying a bit too far under the radar right now is South Alabama’s Gerald Everett.

Everett was a standout at this year’s Scouting Combine, where he absolutely blew up all of the drills, including running a 4.62 in the 40 yard dash at around 240 pounds.

Everett’s physical abilities weren’t wasted on the field, as he racked up 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons and has established himself as one of the most interesting tight end prospects in a draft full of great players at that position.

He made quite an impression on Pro Football Focus’ analysis team, which determined after their scouting of Everett at South Alabama that he resembled a future Hall of Fame tight end — Los Angeles Chargers star Antonio Gates.

"Everett may never reach Gates’ Hall of Fame status, but both players entered the NFL draft with limited football experience after growing up on the basketball court rather than the football field. Everett, like Gates, is just exploding with athletic ability at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds as he enters the draft, but his technique – both as a blocker and as a route-runner – needs to be polished up, likely due mostly to a lack of experience.– Pro Football Focus on South Alabama TE Gerald Everett"

One way or another, Everett looks like he will be an exciting player at the next level. He’s the 39th ranked player overall by NFL.com, and the 70th ranked player by NFL Draft Scout.

Daniel Jeremiah has had him ranked in the top 50 at one point or another throughout the offseason, but his latest board has him on the ‘just missed’ list.

If possible to get Everett on day two and pair him with another player you get in the first round, I think he can be phenomenal value.