Finding NFL comparisons for Adam Trautman

Who are the best NFL comparisons for Dayton tight end Adam Trautman?

The best part about the NFL combine is that we have years upon years of data to go back through and look at to see how players compare to each other. By setting fair expectations based on physical and athletic limitations, you can come in with a more realistic perspective. This helps with a player such as Adam Trautman, who excelled at a lower level.

The question with him is how his physical and athletic skill set will translate. When looking at players who have had the most similar athletic profile to Trautman, we have narrowed the list down to 27 players in the past 20 years.

Here are some comparisons that stand out based on his playing style as well,

Adam Trautman Floor Comparisons

Below are some potential outcomes if Trautman is unable to make that step to the NFL. Below are two players who tried to make a similar transition to Trautman.

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Blake Bell was a former quarterback who tried to make the switch to tight end at Oklahoma. Trautman did not go to a big school but has flown under the radar because he was a former quarterback who uses his savvy to be a precise route runner. Bell has bounced around the NFL trying to find his footing but won a Super Bowl last season as the number two tight end in Kansas City.

Escobar was a wide receiver from San Diego State who made the transition to tight end. He was the number 47 overall pick, a range where Adam Trautman is projected to be drafted. Trautman is known as a better blocker, but from a small school and a new position, Escobar could not make the transition and was out of the NFL by his sixth year.

Recent Comparison

A lot of debate has been brought up about whether or not the Chicago Bears should spend money on Austin Hooper in free agency. Would drafting Adam Trautman give them a cheaper shot at a younger version? Their profiles are not far off.

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Of course, the big difference being that Hooper was groomed at Stanford, while Trautman has less experience at the position. The argument could be that while Trautman could evolve into Hooper in four years, Hooper is Hooper now, and the Bears need to win now.

It is worth noting that Hooper had just 271 yards as a rookie. Although Trautman is considered a better route runner, their athletic numbers show them to be similar movers, and Trautman may see a similar struggle to adjust. Still, with patience, this is a realistic comparison.

Most Likely Adam Trautman Comparisons

Hooper is only four years in, and we will see what he has in store for the rest of his career. Below is a look at some of the best outcomes for Trautman.

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Kevin Boss is an interesting outcome for Trautman. Boss was a two-sport athlete at Western Oregon and has a profile coming into the NFL very similar to Trautman, all the way to the small school and experience. Boss was a fifth-round pick, and Trautman should be higher, though. Boss had an excellent five-year career, but was a complimentary tight end and back up thought his career. He did win a Super Bowl with the Giants as well.

Anthony Fasano was the 53rd pick in the NFL draft. While Trautman is a small school athlete like Boss, he is a solid blocker expected to go in the top 60 picks like Fasano. Fasano bounced around the NFL but played ten years as a sharp complimentary second tight end who had reliable hands with blocking prowess.

Lastly is not the Zach Miller that Bears fans know, but the one from Arizona State who went 38th overall in the 2007 NFL draft. Miller was a great receiver at Arizona State and came into the NFL ready to play. He was named to the All-Rookie team and made a Pro Bowl in his career.

Overall

It is worth noting that Heath Miller, Kyle Rudolph, and Hunter Henry also ran 40-yard dash times similar to Adam Trautman, but all three were injured and did not do any other work pre-draft. Nonetheless, this exercise showed that while Trautman does not have elite upside, he has contributor capabilities.

Adding him as a complementary tight end who can block and ease stress on Trey Burton is a realistic outcome for Adam Trautman.

Zach Miller went 38th, Escobar 47th, Fasano 53rd, and Hooper 81st overall. Look for this to be the range that Adam Trautman gets drafted in as well.