NFL Combine 2020: 3 tight ends who could help their stock

1. Adam Trautman, Dayton

The NFL Combine is a platform where all prospects can showcase their talents and potential at an equal level. This event will be highly beneficial for players coming from smaller schools like Dayton’s Adam Trautman.

Through four seasons, Trautman provided impact on the field for the Flyers by accounting for 2,295 yards and 31 touchdowns on 178 receptions. Last season, he caught 70 receptions for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns.

At 6-6, 253 pounds, Trautman is one of the biggest tight end prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft class. His size, his ability to get open and his reliability as a pass-catching tight end makes him a great potential tight end at the next level. He also possesses great breakout speed and fantastic blocking ability that makes him a great multi-purposeful tight end. He projects to have a 4.74-time in his 40-yard dash during the combine.

All these qualities draw him close to the qualities of former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Trautman coming from a smaller FCS school like Dayton can make it difficult for him to get serious looks. He performed very well during the 2020 Senior Bowl week by performing well in position drills and team periods.

The last tight end to be drafted in the NFL Draft who came from a non-FBS program was Dallas Goedert from South Dakota State in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He is proving to be one of the most reliable players for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Trautman will likely be the next tight end to be the first player drafted out of an FCS or lower program. For a player like Trautman, they most showcase their strengths in the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine to get the eyes of NFL scouts and coaches rather than counteract his biggest weaknesses. With a strong combine performance, he could potentially be drafted in the early second round.