TE, Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi

TE, Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi

Pros: 
Positives: Long, lean, athletic frame capable of handling additional mass without a significant loss of quickness. Good initial quickness off the snap. Good body control and lateral agility to dip and avoid the jam at the line of scrimmage to gain a quick release into his route. At least adequate straight-line speed to challenge the seam. Can sink his hips and shows some burst out of his breaks to gain separation. Flashes the ability to snatch the ball out of the air and contort his body to make the difficult reception. Versatile athlete who lines up out of the three-point stance and in the slot. Good effort as an in-line blocker, though he needs to add strength in this area.

Cons:  Lacks the bulk at this time to compete as an in-line blocker. Struggles as a drive blocker and laterally due to a lack of upper body strength. Inconsistent burst out of his breaks as a route-runner. Prone to concentration lapses and will drop easy passes. Lacks the agility in the open field to consistently make defenders miss. Marginal ability to track the ball over his shoulder. In many ways, seems to be the same player as a senior he was a freshman, leading scouts to question if he is either maxed out or lacks the drive to improve.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

Possesses very good hands to make tough catches. Good height and has long limbs. Will test well, which will deceive some teams. Likes to split out and line up at wide receiver. Likes to run vertical routes. Nicely uses his height against safeties to make catches high. Good agility. A four-year starter at Southern Miss.

From "Ranking the NFL Draft 2009 TEs" at Buffalo Rumblings:

Again, this is a prospect where "blocking" only comes with the word "potential" attached. Still, Nelson is a great receiving prospect, and unlike some other folks at the position, he actually tries to block. He's got the chops to eventually be a more well-rounded tight end than most of his peers here.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Likely the main reason for the crowd of 20 NFL scouts was the presence of a pair of Golden Eagles: tight end Shawn Nelson and linebacker Gerald McRath. ESPN's NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper has Nelson rated as the No. 2 tight end entering the draft, while he projects McRath as the fourth-best inside linebacker.
  
  Nelson has gradually gained more and more notoriety following the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He features good speed and soft hands to go with his 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame, but improvement in his blocking has only made him a better prospect in scouts' eyes.  [see more...]
• Nelson is another big TE from a small school. For such a big athlete, he does move very fluid. He is fast (4.60) and explosive off the line; he will reach the second level with ease. While he could break long runs, he seldom does at Southern Miss (which is a concern). His route running is average at best, and his blocking skills (specially the bending of knees) need refinement. It would also do him good to visit the weight room more often.   [see more...]
• Cousin of former L.S.U. and current Kansas City Chiefs DT Glenn Dorsey...A four-year starter...Finished his college career ranked in the Golden Eagles Top 5 in career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns...Saved the best for last and had a terrific senior campaign...Somewhat of a one-dimensional pass catcher who in many ways is a wide receiver in a tight ends body...Awfully similar to Martin Rucker of the  Cleveland Browns  (4th Round Pick in '08) , only better.  [see more...]