James Casey Scouting Report

James Casey is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year's NFL Draft tight end class. A very athletic player who posses one of the best hands in the whole draft, Casey has a good frame ( although he should add some bulk) and decent speed (4.71); it is the hand that has placed the Rice star on the map of many NFL scouts. He seldom drops a football and manages to make tough catches look easy. With crisp run routes and quick in and out turns, Casey gets separation in the mid-level. He can create in the open field, is fluid and looks like a wideout most of the time. Casey is a good mid-level TE who will struggle to get beyond a ten yard radius. He does not make people miss. Despite his frame, Casey is a poor blocker who lacks the strength to be nothing more than an inconvenience to a defender. His level of competition is a concern as well as his age (he will be 24 soon -- spent four years playing minor league baseball) being another issue. In a relative weak TE class, Casey's hands and ability to create will make him a very attractive choice. He is a third round prospect who can pan out better at the H-back spot than TE; might be a sleeper.