NFL Draft scouting report: Jermaine Gresham

Jermaine Gresham

6'6, 262 pounds | Oklahoma | Tight end

Positives: Gresham is a good all-around tight end. He runs good routes and is an able blocker. He's able to go over the short middle with confidence but has enough speed to get down the seam.

Has a great frame for an NFL tight end. Gresham is strong throughout his body ad looks like his can get even stronger. Uses his size nicely as a jump-ball target and to shield off defenders. A perfect red zone target.

Very hard to take down after the catch. Gresham won't outrun a lot of opponents, but he can certainly run them over. Shows a lot of effort.

Negatives: There are some questions about Gresham's hands. He doesn't always extend to make the catch and has a tendency to let the ball get into his body. Against more instinctive defenders, the ball will get knocked away.

He's at his best when he splits out so he'll have to improve his release technique when he has his hand down.  Needs to play more physical (see the 2008 Texas game where he was manhandled by Sergio Kindle).

Missed his entire senior season after suffering cartilage damage in his knee. Some of Gresham's draft stock will be incumbent on how well he can go through speed and agility tests at the NFL Scouting Combine. Gresham was a starter for just one season.

Final word: Even with his injury, Gresham is the top senior tight end in the nation by a wide margin. He was the ultimate safety valve for quarterback Sam Bradford because he can get open quickly and goes over the middle with ease.

Had he come out in the 2009 NFL Draft, Gresham may have been a first-round pick. He's more or less a prototype tight end prospect who could start immediately. Gresham compares favorably to Jason Witten of the Cowboys.

In his only season as a starter, Gresham had 66 receptions for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he had 37 receptions for 518 yards and 11 touchdowns.

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