Name: Jordan Leggett
School: Clemson
Position fit: Joker/move and/or inline tight end
Stats to know: Third-most total snaps played (2,263) over the last three years in the tight end draft class and fifth-most college playoff snaps played (327) in college football history.
What he does best:
- Some of, if not the most skilled receiving hands in the TE draft class — reduced drop rate by 25 percent both in 2015 and 2016.
- Nine drops on 109 catchable passes the last three years.
- Limits ball contact with the body using strong hands to snatch it out of the air.
- Anticipates contact well at the catch point.
- Natural ability to manipulate momentum after the catch to avoid first contact.
- Decent ability to maintain directional blocks.
Biggest concerns:
- Doesn’t have great straight-line speed and does not run crisp routes. Will have to make his mark winning at the catch point.
- Run-blocking is a current weakness — ranked in the bottom 15 percent of the TE draft class in average grade per run blocking snap.
- Prone to taking very poor angles when blocking on the move — Andre the Giant footwork when open-field blocking.
- Can be caught playing high while searching for a block.
- Reach blocking is not a strength.
- Much of production stemmed from favorable scheme and/or coverage busts.
- Routes cut off by defenders far too often.
Player comparison: Richard Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Short of playing a one-dimensional receiving role, any chance of Jordan’s chances of a prolonged NFL career depend entirely around revamping his overall blocking technique. Leggett hasn’t played a snap of special teams over the last three years and neither he or Rodgers have provided anything on tape that would be deserving of a run blocking role.
Bottom line: Leggett possesses the big-game experience, level of receiving chops and playmaking that will find a home on an NFL roster. His ability to contribute toward extracurricular roles should be considered a work in progress.