[jwplayer 18QegcJn-sNi3MVSU]
Utah State TE Dax Raymond projected as a top 100 pick in 2019
Watch Raymond destroy some poor DB on loop til Draft Day
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The secret’s out: Dax Raymond is confirmed very good at football
The buzz around Dax Raymond is building.
Utah State’s star tight end declared for the 2019 NFL Draft as a relatively unknown prospect on the national stage, but a solid showing in this week’s Senior Bowl activities may have scouts reshuffling their draft boards.
Size and speed have never been much of a concern (Raymond’s 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame matches your standard Madden create-a-player archetype), but his ability to run clean routes and provide an effective downfield target has scouts praising Raymond as perhaps more than just a late-round flier.
https://twitter.com/dpbrugler/status/1088481799595008000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Despite a four-game absence in 2018 with a broken hand, it appears the NFL’s offensive revolution has more than enough room for a pass-catching tight end who can handle a high target volume.
Praise for Dax:
“He displayed the athleticism to beat safeties in coverage, nice route running ability and a great job of tracking the ball into his hands during the one-on-one and 7-on-7 drills. In a good tight end class, it shouldn’t be surprising if he finishes among the top-5 and finds himself as a top-100 selection overall, as the position is starting to be valued a bit more now.” — Draft Wire
“After this week, Raymond shouldn’t be a secret any longer. He has the athleticism and speed to win vertically and the ball skills to make tough catches in traffic. Combine those traits with his above-average blocking, and Raymond should be a top 100 pick.” — The Draft Network
https://twitter.com/USUFootball/status/1035681890743681025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“This week, Raymond excelled as a receiver, routinely creating separation to make grabs outside of his frame. His blocking was a different story, as he struggles to attain proper hand placement and does a poor job of using his feet to shield defenders from the hole.
Despite his struggles as a blocker, Raymond is extremely effective at selling play-action before leaking into an open space….Raymond would be a nice fit for the Cowboys in the third round.” — Dallas News
https://twitter.com/USUFootball/status/1070443883937419266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“Despite pedestrian stats, due to an abundance of talent on the team, Raymond still performed admirably. In the run game, where ten players ran the ball at least a dozen times, Raymond adjusted by attacking the defender’s chest. Meanwhile, serving as the fourth option meant fewer targets. Yet, Raymond executed when the team called his number.” — Full Press Coverage
“There is a huge reason why 28 of Dax’s 41 receptions in 2017 went for first downs. His football IQ is just off the charts when it comes to recognizing zone coverage and immediately getting his head to the quarterback when he finds the soft spot….Raymond is interesting, even intriguing as a prospect and could be one of the bigger sleeper tight ends in this year’s draft.” — Steelers Depot
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