2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Austin Seferian-Jenkins

Strengths:
  • Mismatch nightmare
  • Extremely athletic
  • Generally sure-handed
  • Quick release off the line
  • Superb body control
  • Great catch radius
  • Leaping ability
  • Good route-running
  • Superb at winning contested catches
  • Yards after contact, can break tackles
  • Improved blocker
  • Can get movement in the ground game
  • Phenomenal middle-seam tight end
  • Too fast for linebackers
  • Too big for safeties
  • Red-zone weapon
  • Three-down tight end
  • Very versatile
  • Upside




  • Weaknesses:
  • Will drop a pass now and then
  • Durability
  • Conditioning
  • Some off-the-field question marks


  • Summary: From his first day at Washington, Seferian-Jenkins was a difference-maker. He was one of those rare players who looked like he could play in the NFL as a true freshman. Along with Jadeveon Clowney and Sammy Watkins in the fall of 2011, Seferian-Jenkins looked like a special NFL talent from the very beginning.

    Seferian-Jenkins was in the running as the best tight end in college football during his freshman year. He was an absolute force as a receiver and contributed as a blocker. Seferian-Jenkins totaled 41 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns. In one of his first games, he went against Nebraska and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers stud linebacker Lavonte David. Those two battled each other hard, and even though Seferian-Jenkins had a small stat line, he challenged David.

    Seferan-Jenkins’ best collegiate season came as a sophomore when he caught 69 passes for 852 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012. Once again, defenses really struggled to match up against him.

    In the spring of 2013, Seferian-Jenkins had a DUI arrest that caused him to be suspended for the 2013 season opener. The Washington offense seemed to put him on the back burner for the year as it was led by Bishop Sankey, while Keith Price spread the ball around to a number of receivers. Seferian-Jenkins played well against Stanford and UCLA, but did have a fumble against the Bruins. He had 36 receptions for 450 yards and eight scores for the season. A foot injury knocked Seferian-Jenkins out of the Combine, but he is said to be in great shape and will be ready for the Combine medical recheck.

    Seferian-Jenkins looks like he could develop into a receiving tight end who is among the elite of the NFL similar to Jimmy Graham, Vernon Davis or Rob Gronkowski. Seferian-Jenkins is a dangerous weapon who has mismatch size and speed. He has excellent quickness to get open running down the field and uses his size to make catches over defensive backs. Seferian-Jenkins is superb in the red zone as he can make acrobatic receptions in the back of the end zone. Because of his size and speed, Seferian-Jenkins is a nightmare for defenses; he is rarely truly covered.

    Not only is Seferian-Jenkins a dynamic receiver, but he is a decent blocker entering the NFL. Seferian-Jenkins still has room for improvement, but last year, he was a real contributor to Sankey having a big season. Seferian-Jenkins has the size and strength to push defenders and uses his athleticism to hit blocks on the second level.

    Sources have said that Seferian-Jenkins is a mid-first-round talent, but he is expected to fall to late in the first round or go early in the second round. Seferian-Jenkins has the potential to be one of the top tight ends in the NFL and a mismatch weapon. He should quickly become an every-down player and an asset to his offense.



    Player Comparison: Tony Gonzalez. It is high praise, but Seferian-Jenkins’ game reminds me of Gonzalez. They are similar from a size perspective, with Seferian-Jenkins being slightly bigger. Both have rare quickness and athleticism for their size. Gonzalez was more well rounded, but Seferian-Jenkins has shown some potential as a blocker and will only get better after getting NFL coaching. Gonzalez was the 13th-overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. Seferian-Jenkins won’t go that high, but he could be a first-round pick.

    NFL Matches: Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New England, Buffalo, Miami, New York Jets, Houston, Atlanta

    There are a lot of teams that could consider taking Seferian-Jenkins late in the first round or early in the second round. The Packers could look at Seferian-Jenkins as a replacement for Jermichael Finley, but Green Bay is more focused on drafting for its defense. If Seferian-Jenkins fell to Round 2 though, the Packers could move up for him.

    Heath Miller is declining with the Steelers, and Pittsburgh could consider a tight end early. Baltimore also may want another receiving tight end if one is the best passing weapon available. Both AFC North teams would probably have to trade up for Seferian-Jenkins in the second round.

    In the AFC East, all four teams could be potential landing spots for Seferian-Jenkins. Buffalo needs a receiving tight end for its offense, so the Bills could target Seferian-Jenkins with their second-round pick if they pass on Eric Ebron in Round 1. Miami could use a tight end to pair with Charles Clay, but the Dolphins probably need to use their first-round pick elsewhere. Seferian-Jenkins is unlikely to reach their second-round pick.

    The Jets need to add some weapons for Geno Smith, and a receiving tight end like Seferian-Jenkins would provide a nice security blanket for Smith. The Jets would have to move up for him in Round 2. The Giants could be a fit as well in the second round.

    The Patriots really missed Aaron Hernandez last year, while Rob Gronkowski is becoming more and more injury prone. New England’s offense could really use a player like Seferian-Jenkins, and he would be an appropriate value late in the first round. Seferian-Jenkins is a nice fit for the Patriots’ offense.

    Houston could take Seferian-Jenkins at pick No. 33. If the Texans take a quarterback in the first round, it would make sense to target Seferian-Jenkins to fill the Gronkowski role in Bill O’Brien’s offense. Even if Houston takes Jadeveon Clowney, Seferian-Jenkins could be too good to pass up.

    Atlanta needs to replace Gonzalez. If Seferian-Jenkins falls to Round 2, he could easily land with Falcons.




    RELATED LINKS:


    2014 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2014 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2014 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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