Dayton tight end Adam Trautman is one of the most dynamic players at the FCS-level, and his stock is going to soar later in the NFL Draft process.
The 6-foot-6, 253-pound 5th year senior and team-captain has already produced 755 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and we very well would be talking about him as a top 50 pick if he played for a higher-caliber program.
He has a pro-caliber build and physically looks the part of a future NFL player.
Trautman offers outstanding athleticism for the position. He has good long speed and releases with explosion off of the line-of-scrimmage, allowing him to climb vertical in a hurry.
He has tremendous athletic balance and displays the agility to make a guy or two miss in space, although that might not be the case vs. NFL-caliber talent.
Trautman possesses excellent ball skills and has a large catch radius. He tracks the ball well in the air and has the leaping ability to attack it at its highest point, while possessing the hands and strength at the catch point to capitalize on jump balls down field.
#SCTop10 One-Handed Catch from Adam Trautman on the trick play that put @DaytonFootball up early on Valpo. #GotGRIT🛩️ pic.twitter.com/igXybJH783
— Pioneer Football (@PFLNews) October 12, 2019
Two Passes from @JackCook4 connects with Adam Trautman to brings @DaytonFootball ahead of Marist, 14-7, in the second quarter. #GotGRIT🛩 pic.twitter.com/MqaFTfswR7
— Pioneer Football (@PFLNews) November 9, 2019
He is prone to a drop from time-to-time, but Trautman does a nice job securing the rock with his hands and is a load to bring down in the open field.
Trautman is stronger than the level of competition than he’s faced during his collegiate career, and it is pretty routine to see him drag a pile of three or four defenders a few extra yards after the catch.
He offers quickness as a route runner and runs a variety of routes. Trautman does a lot of damage down the seam and in the flats, but he’s offers dynamic play-making ability on crossers and posts/corners as well.
Trautman no doubt has the talent to fit into a vertical passing attack at the next level, but the thing that will slow him down the most at the next level is his blocking ability.
He’s physical and generally puts forward the effort you’d like to see, but Trautman has a tendency to stand up when he’s engaged at the point-of-attack and is still learning how to leverage, drive and finish.
Trautman will take questionable angles as a blocker in space and while his grip is strong, Trautman needs to do a better job consistently establishing and maintaining inside hand placement.
Most FCS prospects take time to adapt to the strength and speed of the NFL game, but Trautman should be able to catch on pretty quickly. Teams could look at his blocking and see a bit of a project, but any team that likes to use the tight end to stretch the field has likely already fallen in love with Trautman’s game.
He has already accepted his Senior Bowl invite, but it still isn’t out of the question that Trautman could elevate himself as the top tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft.