2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Luke Musgrave (TE – Oregon State)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Luke Musgrave.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Luke Musgrave (TE – Oregon State)

Luke Musgrave (TE – Oregon State)

6’6” – 250 lbs.

Background:

Father and uncle both played quarterback at Oregon; uncle Bill was a pro quarterback who has coached quarterbacks and coordinators for decades at the pro and college levels. Rotated into the offense a little bit as a freshman before starting three games of the shortened 2020 season and catching 12-142-0 (11.8). Became the full-time starter the following year and enjoyed his biggest season (22-304-1, 13.8) before hurting his knee two games into this past season after starting very strong; finished with 11-169-1 (15.4).

Positives:

Has pro bloodlines and excellent size for the position combined with the frame to accommodate more bulk if needed. Frequently lined up as an inline tight end. The tools are there for him to develop into a plus blocker. Physical player who works hard to stick with his opponents through the whistle, showing solid knee-bend and competitiveness. Probably best in pass protection at this point; length, flexibility, and lateral quickness are very good, which allows him to help protect against speed on the edge. Works hard to get out in space and line up opponents; could be effective in the screen game. Can motion across the formation and crack backside defenders. Presents his quarterback with a big target on passing downs. Fast enough as a receiver to threaten defenses down the seams or even on shallow crosses. Able to take some snaps from the slot, using the threat of seam routes to create easy opportunities underneath. Size could present defenses with some mismatches near the goal line.

Negatives:

A season-ending knee injury will require close attention from pro medical staffs. Stock to some extent is dependent upon his strong start this past year over a limited sample size. Frame is a little bit lighter than some teams may like for a Y. Needs to play with more discipline and technique as a blocker. Pad level can be high, undermining his leverage, and doesn’t always have a stable foundation, playing out of control on too many snaps and leading to inconsistent outcomes. Doesn’t always get the most extension to maximize his length advantage. Needs to be better about staying within his frame. Wasn’t really a volume receiver or even a red-zone weapon in school. Dropped nine passes against 47 career catches, and caught just 58.8% of his career targets.

Summary:

One of the more intriguing tight ends in the class from a physical/athletic standpoint, offering an impressive combination of size, length, physicality, competitiveness, and speed, but is mostly potential at this point, with inconsistent technique as a blocker and issues with drops in the passing game. Has starting-caliber tools which could allow him to slip ahead of some of the more productive, polished tight ends in the class if his knee checks out medically.

Projection: Round 3-4