Sunday Sleeper: TE Jerell Adams

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Gamecocks offense wasn’t very good in 2015, but Jerrell Adams finished the season as the team’s second leading receiver with 28 catches for 421 yards and one touchdown. His production improved in each of his four years in Columbia after earning freshman All-SEC honors. Adams finished his NCAA career with 66 receptions for 977 yards and seven touchdowns.

Jerell Adams | Tight End, South Carolina

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Measurements

Height – 6′ 5″
Weight – 247 lbs.
Age – 23 yrs.

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At First Glance

Freshman All-SEC.

Two-time SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

Recipient of the Dr. Harris Pastides Outstanding Student-Athlete Representative of the University of South Carolina.

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Projected Round:

Mid Rounds

After a solid combine performance, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper thinks Adams could have boosted his stock as high as the late first-round.

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Pros

A long and athletic tight end who can stretch a defense.

Passes the eye test with a lean and muscular frame.

34 3/8 inch arms and a 32.5 inch vertical helps Adams high point the ball over defenders and gives his quarterback a big target over the middle.

Very effective finding soft spots in zone coverage and working the seam.

Good route runner with natural hands and a large catch radius.

Adequate run blocker who uses his feet and body well to turn defenders away from running lanes. Not powerful, but gets the job done with good technique.

Long strider with good speed for his size.

Productive runner after the catch, averaged 6.9 yards after the catch.

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Cons

Will need to add more bulk and strength to his frame to become a better run blocker in the NFL.

Lacks elite level change of direction and quickness. Long strider with build up speed who needs to improve his fluidity and explosiveness in and out of breaks. (His 4.64 forty, 7.03 three-cone and 4.31 short shuttle might suggest more athleticism than what shows up on tape).

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NFL Player Comparison:

Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers

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The Vikings Slant

Vikings fit? Yes

The Vikings currently only have two tight ends on the roster with Kyle Rudolph and MyCole Pruitt. 2012 fourth round pick Rhett Ellison is a free agent who may not be back with the Vikings 2016. If the Vikings are unable to re-sign Ellison, his 42 career receptions, 3 touchdowns, and overall solid contribution as a run blocker will be missed. Rick Spielman is shopping the free agent market as well as eyeing the NFL Draft in search of another tight end who can fill the void should Ellison part ways for greener pastures.

This tight end draft class is widely regarded as a weaker position group with limited depth, so, the Vikings may not want to wait too long before selecting a tight end. The first or second rounds might be too early for the Vikings to select Hunter Henry but with Nick Vannett, Tyler Higbee, Austin Hooper and Jerell Adams all trending up, don’t be surprised if the Vikings select a tight end in rounds three or four.

Adams is big enough to line up in a three point stance next to a tackle, yet athletic enough to also be split wide as a standup pass catcher. Adams is not yet considered a powerful drive blocker at the point of attack, but a year in the weight room and some quality coaching from Pat Shurmur and Tony Sparano could change that. Adams is a high ceiling prospect whose best football is still ahead of him.

I’m all for finding Teddy Bridgewater big targets who can run, and Adams is certainly an intriguing prospect with his rare combination of size, speed and natural hands.

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