Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota St.: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report

The tight end class at first glance doesn’t look strong for the 2018 NFL draft. Dallas Goedert may be one who can change that. Does his scouting report agree?

Position:  TE

School:  South Dakota State

Year:  Senior

Height:  6’5″

Weight:  250 lbs

STRENGTHS:

• Premier size for the NFL. Good height and weight distribution. Heavy enough to match up in blocking situation but not too heavy that he loses speed.
• Above-average athlete. Runs with smooth acceleration and showcases enough speed to where he can threaten defenses wherever he lines up.
• Shows good hands as a pass catcher. Has made a number of highlight reel grabs that showcase his knack for making plays in traffic.

Goedert clearly has some Odell Beckham to his game because the guy has made a habit of making some ridiculous one-handed catches. To get this one on a full arm extension in the end zone with a defender in his way speaks to his red zone prowess and also how big and strong his hands are. Coaches will be salivating over clips like this.

• Surprising knack for finding the open spaces in a defense. Always seems to be open regardless of the coverage, speaking to his awareness.
• Versatile skill set. Plays the game like a big wide receiver but has the mentality of a running back. Creative coaches can find many uses for him.
• Red zone threat. His height is an obvious reason for this but he shows an ability to create instant separation off the line in congested areas.
• Sharp route runner for his size. Does a good job selling his cuts to get the defenders to bite and then slips the other direction to be open.

WEAKNESSES:

• Somewhat thin lower body. While he has plenty of speed for a tight end, he lacks the strength to break tackles after the catch.
• Not asked to pass protect a lot. Most of his blocking has been done out in space on running or screen plays. Could make him vulnerable in edge protection.
• Takes questionable angles when trying to block on the second level. Can be frequently seen having to reach back in order to get his hands on defenders.
• Tends to get grabby on some blocks and also delivers hits on defenders outside the five-yard zone. This will lead to penalties in the NFL.
• Sometimes tends to lose his concentration when making a catch. Has a habit of looking to run before he gets the ball secure.

Pro Comparison:  Travis Kelce

Watch this kid for long enough at it will be impossible not to see Kelce. They are similar in terms of size and athleticism. Goedert even plays with that arrogance and passion that has made Kelce such a household name. If he finds a coach who understands how to use that on offense he can have a similar rise to stardom. A major key though will be whether he can add weight to his somewhat lanky frame.

Projection:  2nd Round

Given he comes from a smaller school and is a bit on the thin side, it’s hard to see Goedert doing enough to crack the 1st round. He feels like another Adam Shaheen type. A small program tight end with huge potential that is more than worth the risk in the 2nd round.