By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: In recent years, Florida State has had some talented players fall under the radar and get held back by playing during the program’s rebuilding process. McKitty falls into that group, as he flashed pro potential during his time with the Seminoles. In 2018, he nabbed 26 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He then made 23 catches for 241 yards in 2019. Prior to the 2020 season, McKitty graduated from Florida State and transferred to Georgia as a senior, but he was not thrown the ball much, totaling just six catches for 108 yards and a touchdown with the Bulldogs.
McKitty made it to the Senior Bowl though, and team sources said he put together an impressive week of practice. He did well in the pass-receiving one-on-ones and in the team scrimmages, showing off his ability to contribute to a pro passing attack.
For the NFL, McKitty is a solid receiving tight end who could be a valuable contributor and a mismatch problem for defense. He is a good athlete with the speed to generate separation from coverage. He displays a nice burst out of his breaks to create space from defenders and get open for his quarterback. McKitty has nice twitch for a tight end of his size and second-gear quickness. He does a nice job of working the middle seam and slants, and is capable along the sideline. With his surprising speed, McKitty can challenge defenses vertically running down the seam or along the sideline.
As a receiver, McKitty could stand to get more consistent as a route-runner and run crisper routes. He can round off some routes and take extra steps, but that is something he can improve with pro coaching. Another point of improvement is he will need to work on getting off jams and using his size to push defenders away when they initiate contact in his routes. McKitty will allow himself to get tied up and re-routed despite having a size advantage, so growing more aggressive and physical with defensive backs will make him an even more dangerous receiver.
After the catch, McKitty shows nice running ability to dart downfield and uses his strength to power through defensive backs to finish runs well with some extra yardage after contact. McKitty should be a valuable player in the red zone as a pro, given his receiving ability and capablity of contributing as a blocker.
McKitty contributes as a blocker and is willing to throw his body into defenders. He could stand to get stronger to sustain his blocks and improve his hand placement to tie up defenders rather just throwing his torso into them. McKitty blocks, but getting more aggressive in this phase would help him at the pro level.
McKitty could go as high as the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he probably won’t go lower than the fourth round. With his size, speed, and athleticism, McKitty has the potential to develop into a starting three-down tight end in the NFL.
Player Comparison: Jared Cook. McKitty reminds me of Cook, and they are almost identical in size while having receiving ability. Cook (6-5, 254) has been a solid receiving tight end in his career after being a late third-round pick in 2009. McKitty could go in the same range in the 2021 NFL Draft and has the potential to be a similar caliber tight end.
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2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
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