Below is the PFF draft profile for UCLA's Thomas Duarte, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.
Position fit: Move tight end
Stat to know: 1.99 yards per route was third-highest among tight ends in the class
Combine stats:
Height: 6-2
Weight: 231
Arm length: 33 inches
Hand size: 10 inches
40-yard dash: 4.72
Broad jump: 9-10
Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
Bench: 12
3-cone drill: 6.97
20-yard shuttle: 4.24
What he does best:
• His ability to stop and start is off the charts. Very sudden in his routes. Will be deadly at the next level on double moves against linebackers
• Smooth, smooth athlete for a big man. Moves like someone 20 pounds lighter. Pretty much an oversized wide receiver at this point. Eight broken tackles last season
• Speed to win up the seam on go routes, corners and posts. Would beat safeties and slot corners at UCLA
Biggest concern:
• Close to zero experience playing in a traditional tight end role or split wide. 32 snaps in-line in 2015, 14 split wide, and 747 from the slot. Blocking will have to be taught, but with his frame and inexperience it will be a struggle
• Inconsistent hands. Seven drops on 87 catchable passes the last two seasons. Usually an issue when he’s forced to adjust to a pass
• Doesn’t create matchup issues split with his size at the moment. Not tall enough to be a red-zone guy and not big enough to outmuscle safeties
Player comparison: Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins. Duarte has this kind of upside as a receiver. Unfortunately he doesn’t have the experience Reed had blocking coming out.
Bottom line: He may not be a tight end yet, but when you put his size together with his receiving ability the wheels start to turn. If he can add 10-20 more pounds and give you anything as a blocker, Duarte is sort of chess piece offensive coordinators will love.
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.