Tight End

Georgia

6-2 251

Draft board overall prospect rank: #64

Draft board overall tight end rank: #3

Overall rating: 73 (3^rd round)

40 time: 4.75

Games watched: Georgia/LSU, Tennessee/Georgia

Positives

·         3 year starter

·         Productive receiver (2009: 23 catches for 374 yards and 3 touchdowns, 2010: 26 catches for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns, 2011: 45 catches for 574 yards and 5 touchdowns)

·         A matchup problem in the seam – too fast for linebackers, too big for safeties

·         Great hands

·         Good route runner

·         Good body control

·         Big play threat in the big

·         Athletic

·         Plays faster than his 40 time (4.75)

·         Versatile player who lined up in various different roles (in-line, h-back, split out wide, fullback)

·         Hard worker who put on 10 pounds of muscle after the season

·         35 reps on the bench press

·         Solid bulk

·         Has the ability to develop into a good blocker

Negatives

·         Disappointing 40 time (4.75 at his Pro Day)

·         Mysteriously didn’t run at The Combine after putting on 10 pounds

·         Wasn’t asked to block much

·         Short (6-2)

·         Arrested for DUI after this season

·         Can be jammed at the line

·         Short arms

NFL Comparison: Dustin Keller

Orson Charles played last season at 6-2 240, which is undersized for a tight end. However, he was a real matchup threat in the seam. He lined up at various different positions on the field was tough to cover for both linebackers (too slow) and safeties (too big). He had good hands and had a productive junior season. However, he was still undersized and rarely asked to be an in-line blocker.

After the season, he did a good job of getting up to 6-2 251 for The Combine and proved it was all muscle with 35 reps on the bench press. However, he mysteriously decided not to run the 40 and was just so-so in the drills. He then was arrested for a DUI. That’s a problem in of itself, but it’s also a sign that he’s not committed to the game. Anyone committed to the game would not have put himself in that position so close to the draft. After that, he ran a disappointing 4.75 40 at his Pro Day.

As a prospect, he reminds me of Dustin Keller. Keller was a first round pick in 2008 after putting up great numbers at The Combine. Charles didn’t do that, but he’s just as good of an athlete and a pass catcher, even if his athleticism didn’t show at The Combine. Keller is not much of a blocker even to this day. Charles has the ability to develop good blocking skills, but he’ll probably remain a subpar blocker throughout his career. In 2011, Keller led the Jets with 65 catches for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns. Keller also has Charles’ lack of height at 6-2, but he’s persevered. 

In a weak tight end class, Charles will probably be the 3rd tight end off the board after Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, though it’s possible that Ladarius Green will leap him because of Charles’ recent DUI. Still, he’s probably a 3rd round pick. He has the ability to contribute immediately in an Aaron Hernandez type role, though I didn’t make that comparison because I think Hernandez is a better player.