Washington Huskies tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (88) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Idaho State Bengals during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Huskies tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is generally ranked as the third-best tight end in the 2014 NFL Draft class behind UNC “joker” Eric Ebron and Texas Tech product Jace Amaro. Although most people give Seferian-Jenkins a second-round grade, there’s a strong chance that he could slip into the first round as the Seattle Seahawks selection with the 32nd overall pick. The Seahawks are fully expected to cut ties with the overpaid Zach Miller (though he could take a paycut), so “local” product Seferian-Jenkins would make sense as Miller’s replacement as the Seahawks next starting TE.
I don’t think ASJ’s stress fracture should cause his draft stock to change, but it did prevent him from working out at the Combine. CBS Sports’s Rob Rang reports that the talented TE prospect decided to undergo surgery yesterday after consulting with his family and agents. Per Rang, Seferian-Jenkins probably won’t be healthy enough to work out at his pro day either, so teams only have his actual game tape at Washington to evaluate him from. That’s probably better overall, as workout numbers have a tendency to cloud judgement on a prospect, particularly a tight end with ASJ’s blocking ability.
The most well-rounded TE prospect in this year’s draft, not many TE prospects possess ASJ’s blocking ability coming out of college. He isn’t nearly as explosive as Eric Ebron, but Seferian-Jenkins has much better hands and has some playmaking ability and versatility as well. It’s great to hear that he’s doing well and that the fracture in his left foot was found, as ASJ hinted that he felt pain in his foot last season. The Mackey winner lost weight in order to run faster at the Combine, but I think the big TE should get that weight back; he needs it in order to continue to block at a very high level.