Cameron Graham of Louisville ~ 6.3/240
"A good-looking tight end prospect who possesses good overall muscle tone through his entire frame and really seems to carry his weight well. Is lined up all over the Louisville offense, but does his best work off the line from the slot. Exhibits a good first initial step, gets up to speed quickly and displays some natural body control and coordination as a route runner. Is a bit tight in the hips when asked to sharply snap off routes in the underneath pass game. However, does a much better job selling routes vertically down the field, keeping his feet under him, putting his foot in the ground and accelerating away from defenders down the seam. Displays good enough straight-line speed to get down the seam and does a great job using his hands to consistently pluck the football. Is a natural receiver who doesn't let throws get into his frame and displays some short-area quickness after the catch in order to make a defender miss and accelerate up the field.
However, isn't nearly as comfortable when asked to play with his hand on the ground. Looks a bit tight hipped trying to sit into his stance and his initial movement off the line when trying to release into a route is often upright, taking away from his initial burst and ability to keep himself clean getting into his route. Also, he struggles to generate consistent leverage for himself in the run game and despite his quick first step where he can step and seal on the edge, he doesn't do a good job keeping his base under him, which limits his power on contact and doesn't create a real snap into contact. Is a hard worker down the field trying to reach defenders at the second level, but again doesn't have a ton of power into contact and seems to try to make up for it by lunging himself into blocks and tends to whiff or fall off his target far too quickly.
Impression: A coordinated athlete with good hands and knows how to separate vs. man coverage down the field. Is a bit limited underneath and as a blocker at this stage because of his tight hips, but has a shot as a potential move tight end/H-back."
However, isn't nearly as comfortable when asked to play with his hand on the ground. Looks a bit tight hipped trying to sit into his stance and his initial movement off the line when trying to release into a route is often upright, taking away from his initial burst and ability to keep himself clean getting into his route. Also, he struggles to generate consistent leverage for himself in the run game and despite his quick first step where he can step and seal on the edge, he doesn't do a good job keeping his base under him, which limits his power on contact and doesn't create a real snap into contact. Is a hard worker down the field trying to reach defenders at the second level, but again doesn't have a ton of power into contact and seems to try to make up for it by lunging himself into blocks and tends to whiff or fall off his target far too quickly.
Impression: A coordinated athlete with good hands and knows how to separate vs. man coverage down the field. Is a bit limited underneath and as a blocker at this stage because of his tight hips, but has a shot as a potential move tight end/H-back."
"Though Graham took a one-year detour to junior college and missed most of his first year with the Cardinals, NFL scouts have been quite impressed with his game over the past two seasons. He passed on higher-profile football programs like LSU to go to the Cardinals, and hasn't regretted the move.
He played in six games with no catches in 2008 as he transitioned from junior college as a true sophomore. The following year, Graham was the team's third-leading receiver with 27 receptions for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Big East coaches voted him first-team all-conference in 2010, as he caught 40 passes for 450 yards and five scores.
Graham's size and speed are not elite for the tight end position, but his blocking effort and improving hands have put him squarely on NFL teams' radars as a late-round pick with potential as a reserve H-back, possibly more with coaching and time.
***
Strengths: Good height for the position and continues to gain upper-body strength. Gets off jam from SAM linebackers with agility and a head fake. Fluid runner on crossing routes and down the seam. Shows some suddenness to get inside position down the seam and near the goal line. Will be a fine red-zone target, finds holes and has strong hands to fight for the ball in traffic. Gives effort as a blocker to reach linebackers and defensive backs at the second level, and to seal the edge as an H-back.
Weaknesses: Average release, pro linebackers may knock him off his routes when coming off three-point stance. Does not separate from quicker defenders with speed. Slow in turning around to present target on stop routes. Struggled with drops as a junior. Gets hands into defensive ends and linebackers quickly, but lunges towards his target and lacks strength to sustain blocks. Ineffective on cut blocks."
He played in six games with no catches in 2008 as he transitioned from junior college as a true sophomore. The following year, Graham was the team's third-leading receiver with 27 receptions for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Big East coaches voted him first-team all-conference in 2010, as he caught 40 passes for 450 yards and five scores.
Graham's size and speed are not elite for the tight end position, but his blocking effort and improving hands have put him squarely on NFL teams' radars as a late-round pick with potential as a reserve H-back, possibly more with coaching and time.
***
Strengths: Good height for the position and continues to gain upper-body strength. Gets off jam from SAM linebackers with agility and a head fake. Fluid runner on crossing routes and down the seam. Shows some suddenness to get inside position down the seam and near the goal line. Will be a fine red-zone target, finds holes and has strong hands to fight for the ball in traffic. Gives effort as a blocker to reach linebackers and defensive backs at the second level, and to seal the edge as an H-back.
Weaknesses: Average release, pro linebackers may knock him off his routes when coming off three-point stance. Does not separate from quicker defenders with speed. Slow in turning around to present target on stop routes. Struggled with drops as a junior. Gets hands into defensive ends and linebackers quickly, but lunges towards his target and lacks strength to sustain blocks. Ineffective on cut blocks."
"Bio: Junior college transfer who started at Louisville the past two seasons. All-Conference selection as a senior after totaling 40/470/5. Junior numbers included 27/323/2.
Positive: Solid college tight end with marginal upside for the next level. Fluid releasing off the line, run sharp routes, and gets separation from defenders. Effectively adjusts to the errant throw and looks he pass in. Extends to make the reception away from his frame. Blocks with leverage, stays square, and works assignments.
Negative: Shows minimal quickness and burst. Has marginal strength as a blocker. Timed poorly at the combine.
Analysis: Graham was a solid tight end at Louisville since stepping on the field in 2009 but possesses poor size/speed numbers for the next level. He's practice squad material who could make a team that keeps four tight ends."
Positive: Solid college tight end with marginal upside for the next level. Fluid releasing off the line, run sharp routes, and gets separation from defenders. Effectively adjusts to the errant throw and looks he pass in. Extends to make the reception away from his frame. Blocks with leverage, stays square, and works assignments.
Negative: Shows minimal quickness and burst. Has marginal strength as a blocker. Timed poorly at the combine.
Analysis: Graham was a solid tight end at Louisville since stepping on the field in 2009 but possesses poor size/speed numbers for the next level. He's practice squad material who could make a team that keeps four tight ends."
"Positives: Athletic... Average size... Good short area quickness... Gets off the LOS quickly... Solid route runner... Very nice flexibility and body control... Security blanket... Finds holes in zone coverage... Adjusts to the ball well... Soft and strong hands... Calls for the ball... Catches the ball away from his body... Runs hard... Does not go down easy... Strong stiff arm... Has improved as a receiver every season... Slot receiving tight end and a good fit in a West Coast Offense... Willing and improving blocker... Selected All-Big East first team for the 2010 season.
Negatives: Not especially fast... Occasionally is a bit choppy in and out of cuts... Simply an underneath target... Lacks elusiveness in open field... Doesn't get thrown to enough... Not a very good blocker... Does not have a whole lot of blocking experience... Not very explosive, doesn't really fire out of his stance... Allows defenders to make first contact and will lose battles for leverage... Undisciplined... Battled injuries throughout the 2008 season, but has not missed a game in the last two seasons."
Negatives: Not especially fast... Occasionally is a bit choppy in and out of cuts... Simply an underneath target... Lacks elusiveness in open field... Doesn't get thrown to enough... Not a very good blocker... Does not have a whole lot of blocking experience... Not very explosive, doesn't really fire out of his stance... Allows defenders to make first contact and will lose battles for leverage... Undisciplined... Battled injuries throughout the 2008 season, but has not missed a game in the last two seasons."
"It took some time for Cameron Graham to get into form at Louisville. After spending a year at El Camino Junior College (where the tight end caught 22 passes for six touchdowns), Graham struggled with injuries during his first year in Louisville. The result was a disappointing season for the highly regarded Graham. However, by 2009, Graham was making a big impact and started ten games.
The numbers were not eye popping on a team that struggled to throw the ball consistently, but the 6-4, 253 pound Graham caught 27 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Even as a tight end Graham was pretty much the go-to-receiver for the Cardinals in 2010. He caught 40 passes for a team high 470 yards and five touchdowns. Graham proved to not just be a fine receiving option in the red zone, but a quality all-around pass catcher. For his efforts, Graham was named to the All-Big East First-Team by the conference's coaches.
Graham is not a bad blocker either and helped pave the way for running back Bilal Powell to easily eclipse the 1,000 yard mark. Since he is not the greatest blocker or pass catcher in this class, Graham is being overlooked. Yet, he is a well balanced tight end who could be a good value in the later rounds."
The numbers were not eye popping on a team that struggled to throw the ball consistently, but the 6-4, 253 pound Graham caught 27 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Even as a tight end Graham was pretty much the go-to-receiver for the Cardinals in 2010. He caught 40 passes for a team high 470 yards and five touchdowns. Graham proved to not just be a fine receiving option in the red zone, but a quality all-around pass catcher. For his efforts, Graham was named to the All-Big East First-Team by the conference's coaches.
Graham is not a bad blocker either and helped pave the way for running back Bilal Powell to easily eclipse the 1,000 yard mark. Since he is not the greatest blocker or pass catcher in this class, Graham is being overlooked. Yet, he is a well balanced tight end who could be a good value in the later rounds."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Cameron Graham
Cameron Graham is a Late Rounder, but one with immense potential.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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