Dustin Keller - TE (1 Viewer)

So I am looking at the current top performers at the combine, searching for a young TE to draft, and I see this guy from Purdue is just killing everyone else. I see that he was original a WR and then placed at the TE position, but is Dustin Keller a good TE?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this guy?

Thanks

Of course I now see the Combine thread posted.

Sorry guys ...

Delete please.

Not so fast - let's talk about

. I had him ranked as my 6th best TE just a few weeks ago with the thought that he could jump into the top 3 by June. Make that February. His stock is soaring thanks to that impressive combine. 4.53 40-dash - fastest among all TEs

26 reps at 225 bench press - 2nd among all TEs

38 inch vertical jump - best among all TEs

10.11 feet - broad jump - best among all TEs

6.88 - 3 cone drill - 2nd best among all TEs

4.14 Shuttle 20-yd - best among all TEs



Quite the day for Dustin Keller!

Perhaps equally important is the lack of a presence that Fred Davis left the combine with. IMO, Davis is close to falling out of the top 3. With Keller possibly taking over at #1 and Notre Dame's John Carlson at #2.

Other TEs that impressed me with their combine were...

Texas's Jermichael Finley

Kentucky's Jacob Tamme

Virginia's Tom Santi

Pittsburgh's Darrell Strong

Jeff Haseley said:

Texas's Jermichael Finley

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How high does Finley go? Could he potentially get drafted by the Titans if they don't get Crumpler and reunite with VY?

Jeff Haseley said:

Not so fast - let's talk about

Click to expand...

Jeff, you thought he'd jump in the top 3 by June, who did you have ranked higher?

BigTex said:

Not so fast - let's talk about

Click to expand...

Here's my Rankings I had Fred Davis #1, Martellus Bennett #2, John Carlson #3, Martin Rucker #4, Jermichael Finley #5 and Dustin Keller #6.

Saw him a couple times during the year. Was able to get down field and make cataches. Did not come off as dynamic as his athletic workout did on Sat., but I could image him being a nice fantasy option if in the correct system. Guessing around 3rd rounder in the NFL draft and in your fantasy drafts it depends on how TE friendly your system and whether you have developmental squad.

With such an impressive combine from Keller - where does that rank him now? I mentioned before that he might be #1, but that's an awfully big jump based mostly on his display at the combine. For different reasons I really like Fred Davis, Jermichael Finley, Brad Cottam, Dustin Keller and John Carlson and we can't forget Martellus Bennett or Martin Rucker. There's also several guys that will be later round picks that I liked too. Guys like Tom Santi and Joey Haynos. Even Kolo Kapunui from West Texas A&M impressed me to some degree.

All in all, the TE position is pretty deep with prospects without a clear cut superstar, IMO.

The teams these guys end up with will make all the difference. There are already a lot of talented TE's in the league languishing (in fantasy terms) either behind other TE's who get the receptions, or in systems or on teams that simply suck for TE production.

i won't say keller is a workout warrior but from watching Big10 games over the years i never really noticed this kid or thought he was anything special. He seems to have all the physical tools that Wisconsin's Travis Beckam has but not the production or big plays

He is a kid that simply didn't come from a high profile school (unlike Carlson and Davis). He was overlooked in high school as well (Purdue's last choice recruit as a freshman and team MVP as a Senior). On the field he performed consistently well. At the combine he proved that he is BY FAR the most gifted athlete among the tight ends. In the broad jump he beat the 2nd place guy by 8″ (and set a new all time record) and his vertical was 2″ more then the second place guy (that's just freakish among such a talented group). Of the 7 events he won 4, placed send in 2, and was 4th is the other one (no one else even shows up as a top performer in all the events). With his work ethic (he added 35 pounds of muslce wil at Purdue) he will likely turn into one of the best in the league. If you want to see some highlights of him:

. He is rarely brought down by a single tackler. He is actually very good on film and now that he didn't choke in the combine (unlike the other top prospects) teams will take a closer look at his film, and he should be the first TE off the board (likely end of first round, but possible first pick for Green Bay).

Of the receiving TE's I still prefer Rucker, but not by nearly as much as I did before. I'm always careful when it comes to the combine not to bump someone up too high after an impressive performance. Remember the product that was left on the field. He was good, but the guy simply cannot block and his average showing in the pass catching drill reminded me of why I don't put too much stock in the combine. He definitely improved his draft stock and if he gets taken before Rucker in the draft will likely be taken before Rucker in rookie drafts as well. I'll be the one that waits for Keller to fall off the board so I can snag Rucker at a greater value. They're both third rounders still in my book, but Keller may just be a second rounder after Saturday's performance.