Finding NFL comparison for Dalton Keene

Who are some of the best NFL comparisons for tight end Dalton Keene?

Dalton Keene has played all over the Virginia Tech offense from in-line to the slot, to an h-back role. He was primarily used as a blocker in college but may have some upside in his receiving profile.

He showed well at the combine as well, coming in over 250 pounds, and testing above average for an athlete. When looking at his athletic and physical profile, there is a long list of NFL comparisons for Dalton Keene. Here are some of the best

Floor comparisons for Dalton Keene

Of course, there is always risk in any selection that the transition to the NFL will not quite happen the way that the team had planned. Below are some of the lower end comparisons that could be outcomes for a player with Keene’s profile.

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Bears fans know Braunecker well. While his name will scare some fans off, it also should show that the Bears are likely intrigued by the profile they see in Keene. They may be thinking that they can get more out of Braunecker with a similar profile. Ryan Malleck was a blocking tight end from Virginia Tech as well. Malleck did not make the transition well and played one NFL season in 2017.  This floor is why Keene is not considered an elite tight end prospect.

Recent NFL Comparisons to Dalton Keene

Below are three tight ends selected in the 2019 NFL draft. The class is different as a whole, but where these tight ends go and how their profile compares to Keene could be telling of his draft range.

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Foster Moreau had 52 career receptions for 629 yards at LSU. Dalton Keene had 59 receptions for 748 yards at Virginia Tech. Moreau showed good athleticism, and upside like Keene did, but still went in round four due to his passing game questions. Moreau had 21 receptions for 174 yards as a rookie before his year was cut off due to injury.

Drew Sample had 46 receptions for 487 yards at Washington. Despite less passing game work, his blocking and athletic profile were enough for the Bengals to take a shot in round two at pick 52. Sample had five receptions as a rookie.

Kahale Warring had 51 receptions for 637 yards in college, meaning Keene outproduced all three as a receiver. Warring went in the third round, 86th overall, and spent his rookie year on the IR.

The range from 52 to 137 shows that it is up to anyone who wants to bet on the athleticism for Keene to determine his range.

Best NFL comparisons for Dalton Keene

Below would be some of the better outcomes when comparing his athletic, physical, and draft profile to players who have made it in the NFL.

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Charles Clay is the one to take a long look at. Clay came out as a full back, and teams asked Keene to test with the running backs to get looks at him at full-back as well. Both were blockers but showed enough athleticism to stick with at tight end. Clay went in the sixth round but was a bit more of a projection at tight end. It took Clay two years to get his feet, but he turned out a strong career. This would be one of the better outcomes for a player with a profile such as Keene, and what fans should be looking for out of Keene.

Kendricks is another player who makes a lot of sense in comparison to Keene. Kendricks came from the run first Wisconsin offense and was used in a similar role to Keene as h-back, and tight end. Kendricks was drafted in 2011 and is still in the NFL, after going 47th overall, the highest of these comparisons. It is worth noting that he did outproduce Keene as a receiver in college.

Jonnu Smith was more of a receiver in college as well, but his role as a splash play tight end with blocking prowess for the Tennessee Titans could also be a comparable outcome for Dalton Keene. Smith went 100th overall and had his best year in 2019, his third year in the NFL.

Overall

Overall, most of these players were able to help as a blocker early or took a year or two of time to get on the field. That is a likely outcome for Keene as well. These players also went anywhere from 47 to 137 and everywhere in between. That is the range that a wildcard like Keene could be looking at as well. Even round 6 where Clay went is on the table.

Still, there are plenty of players with the blocking and athleticism he displayed in college who have made it into the NFL. Charles Clay, a full-back turned tight end, is the best potential comparison for Dalton Keene.