Key Highlights
- Not only did we see Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq set a combine record for tight ends, running a 4.39 40-yard-dash, but we also saw several balanced tight ends perform very well. If the Lions are going to add a tight end from this draft class, we know they’re looking for prospects with balanced skill sets, as we learned from offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who recently joined our podcast for an interview:“If you have three tight ends that don’t have a multiple skill set, you’re not going to do it.
- Because the key is the matchups.
- When you have guys that can do a lot of different things, you can start to dictate things based on what the defense wants to do.”So with that in mind, here are the top “balanced” prospects from the tight end group at this year’s NFL Combine. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSam Roush, Stanford (6-foot-6, 267)Roush is exactly what the Lions should be looking for in a tight end to complement what they already have on the roster.
- An immediate TE2 with starter upside, Roush is a high-character prospect who has a nice blend of blocking and pass catching.
- He’s also amongst the biggest tight ends in this class—he has a Jack Campbell-like frame—, yet was still able to runan impressive 4.70 40-yard-dash, jump 38.5 inches in the vertical, and clear 10-foot-6 in the broad jump. Roush gave full effort on every on-field drill, leaned into his size and strength, and displayed solid hands.
