Nick Eubanks 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Tight End
Height: 6’-4”
Weight: 245 pounds
School: Michigan
Nick Eubanks 2021 NFL Draft Profile
After five years at Michigan, tight end Nick Eubanks is taking his skills to the next level in the 2021 NFL Draft. The graduate student didn’t exactly light up the box score during his final year of eligibility, as he only recorded 10 receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets. However, he spent most of his time in the trenches opening lanes for the run game.
Eubanks originally joined the college football ranks as a four-star recruit. Despite relatively underwhelming production, scouts across the country couldn’t get enough of his build and athleticism. The tight end reportedly received over 20 scholarships but ultimately decided on Michigan.
Eubanks had to wait a while before becoming a starter. Throughout the first three years of his college tenure, Eubanks spent most of his time on the bench. However, he earned a starting job in 2019 and made the most of his opportunities. Appearing in 574 snaps, Eubanks recorded 26 receptions for 254 yards and four touchdowns on 42 targets.
Strengths
- Has the build to develop into a solid in-line blocker;
- NFL-caliber speed with the ability to blow past slower linebackers;
- Decent overall athlete;
- Respectable catch radius – could be above-average with better recognition;
- Can be dominant in trenches if he wants to be.
Weaknesses
- Did absolutely nothing at college in the passing game;
- Not as good as you’d think at the catch point;
- Below-average pass protector;
- Only a straight-line mover – poor agility;
- While he has the size to be a great run blocker, he still needs work with his technique;
- Already 24 and wasn’t a starter until 22 – if he were good, he should’ve seen the field/declared earlier.
NFL Comparison: Ryan Izzo
Teams With Need at Position: Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens
Projection: Priority UDFA
Bottom Line on Nick Eubanks
Nick Eubanks is a very raw prospect with a pretty underwhelming ceiling. He looks the part athletically, as the 6’-4”, 245-pound tight end has the physical potential to turn into a pretty solid blocker. Additionally, he has good speed and could theoretically be pretty hard to take down in the open field. When Michigan actually threw him the ball, he demonstrated a decent catch radius.
However, Eubanks has a long way to go before even landing on a Week 1 roster. The Michigan product isn’t nearly as good as he should be in the trenches, and most of it comes back to poor fundamentals. You’d expect someone of his size to be better at outmuscling defenders at the catch point, and he struggles when moving in any direction other than a straight line. Also, the fact that he couldn’t see the field until he was much older than the average college player is a major red flag.
Ultimately, there are some traits here that make Eubanks worth a very late-round flier or a decent signing bonus as an undrafted free agent. However, there is a long of work to do here, and you’d get for your efforts is an above-average blocking tight end. That skillset isn’t very valuable in today’s day and age, so it’s hard to see Eubanks having a long career in the NFL.
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