From now until the 2020 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
#81 Thaddeus Moss/TE LSU – 6’3 249
The Good
– Plays bigger than frame
– Physical player with clear “want to” in run game but also shows technique as a blocker
– Understands leverage and plays with proper pad level and hand placement to minimize size concerns against bigger DEs
– Nasty demeanor, willing to do dirty work, one of the most effective and physical chippers you’ll find at the position
– Soft hands and consistently makes contested grabs over the middle, able to adjust to balls thrown outside his frame
– High football IQ capable of finding soft spot against zone coverage, makes sight adjustments based on coverage and knows how to get open vs zone
– Productive in the biggest games, got better as season went on
– Versatile and moved around the offense, experience in-line, slot, and split out wide
– Asked to pass protect and looks competent, plays with good base and knee bend, keeps his feet moving laterally
– Excellent NFL bloodlines
The Bad
– Undersized with questionable length (will have to wait for Combine) and overall smaller frame than you’d like
– Functional strength but can be overpowered at the point of attack
– Average to below average athlete, not a vertical threat and made almost all his plays underneath, only plays over the top came against busted coverages
– Build-up speed runner who needs open grass to get going
– Struggles to beat press coverage and separate from man coverage downfield, not a sudden player at the top of his route, catches are routinely going to be contested and he’ll have to win with physicality
– Offers little after the catch, won’t run away from anyone or break many tackles
– Limited experience out of a three-point stance (four times in the four games I watched, one being a kneeldown)
– Only one year of production, and even those numbers weren’t eye-popping, little starting/playing experience making him a relatively difficult evaluation
– High school and college journeyman who bounced around an unusual amount of schools
– Some medical concerns, missed an entire season due to injury
Bio
– One year of serious playing time
– Career: 53 receptions, 619 yards (11.