Jalen Wydermyer: The Wildcard TE Prospect In The 2022 NFL Draft
Does anybody know what to make of Jalen Wydermyer? The Texas A&M is a polarizing tight end prospect heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. Mostly because I’m not sure anybody knows for sure what they’re getting. In a weak tight end class, it’s Wydermyer who will likely have something to say about how we look back on it years later.
During the college football season, the Aggies’ tight end was viewed as a lock to go in the first round. An idea I vehemently pushed back on time and time again. Since the season has ended, the hype on Wydermyer has calmed down big time. He’s now viewed as a third-fourth round prospect which is probably the right range for him.
Wydermyer could easily make it. You can see Wydermyer as a three down tight end. The potential is there. 6-foot-4, 255, 33 inch arms, and almost 10 inch hands. He’s a specimen that should be a matchup problem for defenses. Guys that big and that athletic usually find a way to make it.
The only problem is, tight end is a fickle position. We thought OJ Howard was a beast too. He got overdrafted. Wydermyer’s pure production isn’t good enough. In 12 games this past year, the Aggies TE reeled in 40 catches for 515 yards and three scores. I know Texas A&M had bad quarterback play, but those numbers aren’t good enough.
There are more red flags that need to be discussed. His combine workout was bad and that’s being generous. Wydermyer did not run a 40. If he did run, I wouldn’t be surprised if the time came in with a starting number of 5. Someone like Martellus Bennett coming out of college just looked more spry and nimble. I’m not sure Wydermyer has any level of explosion and he also has bad drop problems.
The problem passing on Wydermyer is that nobody has more potential than he does at the position. Trey McBride might might up but his pure ceiling isn’t anything more than Kyle Rudolph. What’s Greg Dulcich? A better version of Caleb Wilson? Don’t even get me started on Isaiah Likely.
Good luck figuring out what to do with Jalen Wydermyer. The former four star recruit is making me scratch my head as we wait for the 2022 NFL Draft. I would lean towards passing but it’s hard not to be at least intrigued.
