2017 NFL Draft Profile: Tight End Adam Shaheen

In this 2017 NFL Draft Profile, we take an in-depth look at Adam Shaheen out of Ashland.

Now known as a high-profile draft prospect, Adam Shaheen was initially both a basketball and football star in high school. He pursued a collegiate basketball career at Division II school Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Things didn’t work out as he expected though, and he ended up transferring to another Division II school, Ashland, to play tight end for the football team. The rest is history as he enters the 2017 NFL Draft.

After an extremely underwhelming 2014 season at Ashland, Shaheen went on to completely break out in 2015 as he caught 70 passes for 803 yards and 10 touchdowns in the starting role. This alerted scouts, but in 2016, his school record-breaking stat line of 57 receptions for 867 yards and 16 touchdowns made him a serious draft prospect. He earned first-team all conference honors in both of his seasons as a starter.

STRENGTHS

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Outstanding size at 6’6″ 278 pounds. Plays with a completely fearless, almost bully-like attitude. Has a wealth of experience lining up as an in-line tight end and a receiver. Displays very good athleticism on tape despite a relatively pedestrian combine performance. Excellent strength, power, and physicality.

Very good route running. Immense size and strength make him a great red zone target. About as difficult to tackle as any tight end in this year’s class. Great at high-pointing the ball in the air and coming down with it. Does an awesome job of creating separation with his big body.

WEAKNESSES

Obviously faced much weaker competition in college than other prospects. Below average speed compared to the other early to mid-round tight end prospects. Needs to learn how to use his hands against press coverage. Going to need a quite a bit of work on his blocking in the NFL. A bit stiff and awkward when setting up blocks on the move. Upper body is too rigid while run blocking. Needs full-scale technical development in all aspects of his blocking.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

DRAFT DAY PREDICTION

Shaheen is an incredibly talented tight end prospect in this year’s class. The former hooper has great hands, a great catch radius, and very good athleticism. He’s also an incredibly refined route runner for a DII, walk-on prospect. His blocking will need some work, but all in all, Shaheen is an awesome talent. I see him as an early to mid-second round pick.