Luke Stocker NFL Draft Scouting Report

Luke Stocker
Height: 6’5’’ | Weight: 258 | Tennessee

Agility: Stocker is a tall but coordinated tight end prospect.  He has the ability to drop his pad level and make the tough catches.  He possesses the balance to step out and back in when releasing off the line of scrimmage.  Stocker doesn't have a great burst off the line or 2nd gear which impacts his ability to stretch the field.

Blocking: Being a complete tight end heavily relies on the ability to contribute as a blocker.  Stocker is both a strong run and pass blocker.  He is able fire off the football, get his hands inside, and head under the helmet of the defender has he works to open up running lanes.  His hand placement and leverage are the keys to his ability to move people off the line of scrimmage.  Stocker is not a mauler but is more than capable of contributing to the running game.  Due to protection issues at Tennessee, Stocker was asked to stay in and provide support to the offensive line.  Stocker's natural bend and long arms allow him to get his hands on the defender.  His quick and balanced feet help him keep the defender in front of him.  He doesn't have the strongest anchor but can more than hold his own against the bull rush.  Overall, Stocker will be a solid contributor as both a run and pass blocker.

Hands: Stocker utilizes his long arms to reach out and pluck the ball at its highest point.  He routinely catches the ball away from his body making him a reliable target.  Stocker will gain the confidence of his quarterback and be the safety blanket expected of tight ends.

Release: Good coordination and long arms are what helps Stocker get a clean release off the line.  The length of his arms and quickness in his hands help keep defenders off his body.  Stocker's coordination allows him to release out side and quick work back inside to his route.

Route Running: Stocker's balance allows him to run clean and crisp routes.  He has the ability to make his cuts without having to gear down.  Keeping his shoulders and hips squared helps Stocker decoy the defense and hide his route intentions.  Stocker quickly snaps his head around and is able to locate the football.  His short area burst creates separation from the defender providing a nice clean target.  Stocker has good awareness as he is able to find and sit down in the open zones.

Size: At 6'5 258 lbs, Stocker possesses good size for the tight end position. He has enough length to be able to go up and make the tough catch.  However, his weight distribution is less than ideal as he is thin through the hips and waste.  This impacts his ability to anchor in pass protection and get a good lead drive off the ball.

Final Word: Stocker has the skills to be a well rounded tight end in the NFL. He is a 3 down player with the ability to run block and contribute in the passing game.  His length and sure hands make him a legitimate pass catching threat.  However, he doesn't possesses the burst necessary to really stretch the defense down the seam.  It might be wise to team Stocker up with speedy tight end to form a good duel threat.