Thaddeus Moss 2020 NFL Draft Profile

Thaddeus Moss 2020 NFL Draft Profile

After winning the National Championship, redshirt Junior Thaddeus Moss opted to skip his final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft. After missing two straight seasons to transfer rules and injury, Moss finally got on the field and proved why he belongs in the NFL. Playing a key role on LSU’s offense, Moss ended his season with 47 receptions for 570 yards and four touchdowns while excelling as a run blocker in the trenches.

Moss first came onto the national radar as an intriguing high school tight end. The son of NFL legend Randy Moss, the younger Moss exploded for 54 receptions, 831 yards, and 13 touchdowns as a Senior in high school. Moss received offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Texas A&M but ultimately decided to commit to North Carolina State University.

Moss saw the field as a true freshman, but didn’t make too much of an impact. Utilized primarily as a blocker, Thaddeus Moss ended his true freshman season with just six receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. Moss transferred to LSU following his freshman year, forcing him to miss the 2017 season. Moss was ready to return in 2019, but a foot injury erased his 2018 season before it ever began.

Strengths

Dominant run blocker capable of opening running lanes;

Aggressive blocker who doesn’t shy away from larger players;

Soft hands, catches anything thrown his way;

Advanced route running ability for a tight end;

Impressive field awareness and football IQ;

Understands the nuances of playing the tight end position;

Has the size to overpower safeties in contested catch situations.

Weaknesses

Not a remarkable athlete;

Somewhat undersized, which could lead to questions about how his run blocking translates to the NFL;

Struggles to beat press coverage;

Doesn’t have the speed to blow past linebackers in coverage;

Lacks superstar potential with a relatively low ceiling;

NFL Comparison: Daniel Graham

Projection: Third/Fourth round

Thaddeus Moss Bottom Line

Thaddeus Moss isn’t a superstar, and he’ll never be anywhere close to as good as his dad. That said, he can still be a valuable role player in the NFL. He should make an immediate impact as a run blocker, as both his form and willingness to block should directly translate. He might need to add a few pounds, but he should make a positive impact for any rushing attack.

Nobody is confusing him with Travis Kelce, but Thaddeus Moss can also serve as a depth option in the passing attack. He catches anything that comes his way and his football IQ is evident in the way he runs routes and exploits leverage. While he’s not the most athletic player in the world, he should be able to last in the NFL as a solid league-average tight end.