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By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: A mismatch receiving tight end is one of the most desired offensive weapons across the NFL. With a legit combination of size and speed, tight ends are very difficult to defend against in the middle portion of the field while providing third-down and red-zone weapons for their quarterbacks. Engram could be one of the most dynamic receiving tight end prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft, and that is saying something considering the other excellent talents like Alabama’s O.J. Howard and Miami’s David Njoku. Those two are probably the top tight ends, but Engram could be the third one off the board.
Everett started out his career at UAB and played one season there, catching 17 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown. After UAB ended its football program, Everett transferred to South Alabama, where he had 41 catches for 575 yards and eight touchdowns in 2015. During his senior year, team sources told WalterFootball.com that there was a real buzz about Everett in the scouting community, and he was often compared to the Redskins’ Jordan Reed. As a senior, Everett recorded 43 receptions for 648 yards and four touchdowns on the year. He followed that up with a solid showing at the Senior Bowl.
For the NFL, Everett is a dynamite receiving weapon down the middle seam of the field. He is fast running vertically down the field with speed, explosiveness and athleticism. Everett is also a very good route-runner who consistently gets separation. He is way too fast for linebackers and uses his size well against safeties. He often burns man coverage and is very adept at finding the soft spot in zone coverage.
Everett repeatedly used his leaping ability and frame to make catches over defenders as he plays bigger than his listed numbers. Everett is a dangerous run-after-the-catch receiver. He has a second gear to run away from defenders and explodes into the open field. He can flash some moves and strength as a runner, too.
Everett will never be a big blocker in the NFL, and at the Senior Bowl, he didn’t impress there as he had lost almost 15 pounds from his playing weight before going to Mobile. Team sources feel that Everett was advised to do that to run faster, and while he did impress as a receiver, his blocking suffered from the decreased weight. A big part of blocking for tight ends is just having the desire and giving an effort; on tape, Everett does that and often finds a way to contribute. Everett will never be a force as a run blocker or pass protector in the NFL. He could chip in some blocks and may not be a serious liability.
Everett may not be a true three-down starting tight end in the NFL. However, he will be a mismatch receiver who really hurts defenses down the middle seam. In a passing offense, Everett could be tremendous. He also will make a double-tight end sets very dangerous, and the attention he commands could let the other tight end get wide open out of neglect. Everett should really excel in his role and be an asset for his offense.
As a pro, Everett could be a devastating mismatch weapon and one of the better receiving tight ends. He should contribute some as a blocker, but he is a limited player in that regard. In the 2017 NFL Draft, sources from multiple teams have said they graded Everett in the second round and think that is the round he will most likely get drafted in.
Player Comparison: Jordan Reed. Sources from multiple teams have said there are two Jordan Reed-like tight ends in the 2017 NFL Draft. Everett is one of them and Ole Miss’ Evan Engram is the other. Most team sources have graded Everett over Engram. Like Reed, Everett is a tremendous receiving tight ends to work the middle seam with speed and athleticism. Reed (6-2, 246) is a little heavier but the same height as Everett. Reed is one of the top mismatch tight end weapons in the NFL, and Everett could provide the same sort of impact for an offense. Both are willing blockers, but limited because of their size. Reed has had issues with injuries and concussions. That could be a problem for Everett in the NFL given the way he plays. Reed was a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, while Everett could go a round earlier than him.
NFL Matches: Houston, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Denver, New York Giants, Green Bay and Pittsburgh
There are a lot of teams that could use tight end help, and Everett could be in real demand on the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft. On Day 2, there are a lot of potential landing spots for him. The Texans badly need a receiving tight end to pair with C.J. Fiedorowicz. Everett would be an instant upgrade to the Houston offense. On the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft, Everett could be a top target for the Texans’ second-round pick.
Staying in the AFC South, Tennessee could use a tight end to pair with Delanie Walker, plus Walker didn’t close out the 2016 season in great fashion. However, it sounds unlikely Everett slips to the third round and the Titans are without a second-round pick.
Tampa Bay has wanted the two-tight end set to be a big part of its offense. Cameron Brate has turned into the secondary tight end, but Austin Seferian-Jenkins didn’t work out as the primary. Everett could give the Bucs that receiving weapon with a weapon for Jameis Winston.
The Broncos have some blocking tight ends, but could use a receiving tight end. Everett could be a nice weapon for Paxton Lynch as a second-round pick.
The Packers could look to upgrade their tight end position, and Everett would be a great fit in their offense. He makes all sorts of sense for Green Bay.
For Pittsburgh, Jesse James is just a backup quality tight end while Ladarius Green had injury issues in 2016. Everett would be an instant upgrade for the Steelers.
RELATED LINKS:
2017 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2017 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2017 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
NFL Picks - Nov. 24
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
