Draft Rewind 2014 – Troy Niklas – Arizona Cardinals

What Ourlads NFL Scouting Services said about TROY NIKLAS: Notre Dame, 6064 270 4.75. Junior entry. Started 21 games in career including 13 this past fall. The Irish tight end improved his inline blocking of defensive ends and tackles. Does a good job of leaking though the line and walling off linebackers and safeties. A hand catcher who uses his body to wall off defenders. Tracks and catches the ball well over his head on wheel routes. A big man with strong hands, long arms, and a little man’s feet. Good lateral and initial quickness for his size. Good contact balance. A probable first-year starter based on athletic ability and rare measurables for the position. He needs developmental work on his inline blocking and pass protection. He has natural body control, change of direction, and shows attitude and aggression to engage contact with a good base, balance, and knee bend. Routes are raw and limited. Has the talent to be a Rob Gronkowski type tight end. Needs to work on separation skills and reading defenses. 2013 stats: 37- 573, 15.5 ypr, 6 TD. Did not run at Combine by choice. Second/ third round. (A-34 1/8, H-10, BP-27, VJ-32).