2019 NFL Draft: Valuation of positional tweeners in class
By Ryan Roberts
Tight end/Wide receiver: Donald Parham, Stetson
Boundary, slot, detached Y, in-line tight end — whatever your flavor is, pass catchers are pass catchers in today’s game. One thing that has never changed is the more you do well, the better off you are.
Stetson tight end Donald Parham is coming off of a season with eye popping production (85 receptions for 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns). As if those numbers aren’t impressive enough, Parham possesses a 6-8, 245-pound frame that screams for an even higher level of possibility.
Parham currently looks more like a basketball player than pass receiving tight end on the field, boasting a slender build and vines for arms. The upside and projectable body scream project who would most likely do best to take games in from the sidelines for a season or two, while developing his game on the practice field and in the weight room.
But this is 2019, and in 2019, niche pass catchers have the potential to contribute early despite a lack of roundness to their game. While Parham is currently an odd fit to a traditional in line tight end role, his skill set has all the necessary nuance to cause opposing defenses mismatch fits in the slot.
Perhaps an even more appealing role early on might be as an outside receiver down in the red zone, where Parham can use his size advantage in potential fade/jump ball situations. No matter when an NFL team chooses to pull the trigger for Parham on draft weekend, look for him to make an early impact in specialized situations.
Projected Round: 5th-7th