Exhibits some short-area quickness when asked to avoid the bump and can keep himself clean. However, it takes him a bit to get up to speed. Is a strider who doesn’t display a ton of short-area quickness to his game. Lacks short-area quickness as route runner on sharply breaking routes, really rounds off his breaks, gears down and will struggle to separate in the NFL in tight areas. Is at his best running vertically down the seam.
Possesses deceptive strider speed, tracks the football well and exhibits excellent body control when asked to adjust. Possesses great hands, consistently can pluck off his frame and displays the coordination to routinely contort his body and adjust to the poorly thrown ball.
Is one of those guys who has a savvy getting open down the field and even when he’s covered up, he can still make a play on the throw. Used all over as a blocker. Struggles to quickly get into defenders and keep his base down into contact as an in-line guy on the edge. Works hard, extends his arms well, but lacks an initial pop, doesn’t get much movement and struggles to stick through contact.
Is better suited as a move guy where he gets out to the second level well, takes good angles and breaks down at the point. However, leads with his shoulder and is just looking for an initial pop. Isn’t real sticky and fails to consistently use his hands. Also, is used at times in the backfield as a lead guy, but struggles with pad level and is easily stone walled in the hole.
Impression: A natural pass catcher who can make plays down the field, but isn’t a real gifted straight-line athlete. Is tight hipped as a route runner, can’t win consistently as a blocker and looks nothing more than a late round/FA option who will be limited in what he can offer an offense."
Seldom creates after the catch, but can be trusted in the clutch and consistently move the sticks.
Stiff route runner with limited athletic ability.
Lacks bulk and functional playing strength desired as a blocker, and does not possess the frame to add much mass."
As a blocker, Paulson is solid. He's never going to be a power blocker in the run game, but he stays in front of defenders well enough to be a factor. He'll get much better as a blocker if he can learn some fundamentals about leverage.
Games Viewed: (All 2010) Auburn, Oregon State, Stanford, USC, Washington
Bold Statement: Paulson will never be an NFL team's No. 1 tight end, but he's a versatile No. 2 who can can and block. He's even lined up some as an H-back.
Notes:
• Is used frequently running vertical routes, which shows off his straight-line speed.
• Won't be overly impressive with his time numbers, but is fast enough to get past many linebackers.
• Doesn't move around especially fluidly, which hampers his wiggle. Even though Paulson does lack some agility, he still has decent body control to make a play on the ball.
• Shows good but not great hands to pull the ball in away from his body.
• Better than many college tight ends as a blocker. Paulson gets the most out of strength and give good effort.
• He should only improve as a blocker as he learns better technique and gets stronger.
• Has lined up in the backfield at times, which is a plus."
Not all that fast, but has soft hands, runs very good routes and can find the soft spot in coverage; also has long arms who can out-jump defenders for the ball; had 24 catches in 2010 including 4 for TDs;
Willing blocker, but lacks the bulk to get much push; probably best suited to work as an H-back at the next level; excellent student with a 3.7 GPA in business administration."