Name:  Jalen Wydermyer

School: Texas A&M

Year: Junior

Position: Tight End

Measurables: 6’5”, 255 lbs per Texas A&M Athletics. 6’4”, 255 lbs per Combine Measurements.

Stats: 

General Info:

Born and raised in Dickinson, Texas, Jalen Wydermyer wound up choosing his home state school over offers from 22 other universities, according to 247 Sports. He was a composite four-star prospect, the 359^th ranked national prospect, 15^th overall TE, and 45^th overall Texan, making him a very promising addition for the Aggies football team. Over three seasons at Texas A&M, he did not disappoint.

As a true freshman in 2019, Wydermyer started 11 of the 13 games he appeared in, and led the Aggies with six touchdown receptions, while ranking third on the team in receptions (32) and yards (447). Despite his youth, he impressed against high level competition, too, producing against elite defenses, like Clemson and Alabama. At the end of the season, he received Texas A&M’s “Offensive Top Newcomer Award.”

In 2020, Wydermyer was named a Mackey Award (best TE) finalist for the first time, as well as being named 2^nd Team all SEC. He scored six TDs for the second straight season, breaking the A&M record for career receiving TDs by a tight end in just two years. Wydermyer also recorded a career high 46 receptions for 506 yards in 10 games, sparking immense optimism for his junior season.

Although he had a very strong season in 2021, there was certainly some disappointment that he failed to take another step forward. Wydermyer’s stats were very consistent with his previous production—42 receptions, 515 yards, and four TDs in 12 games. He was once again very decorated after the season, as he was named All-SEC Second Team and a Mackey Award finalist for the second straight season, before declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

While Wydermyer was invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, he did not participate in most drills, opting only to have his measurements taken. I would expect him to participate at Texas A&M’s Pro Day on March 22^nd, and he should test well, as he is a very strong athlete. 

Positional Skills:

Strengths

• Great build for a tight end, at a hair under 6’4” and 255 lbs.
• Very productive over three years as a starter at Texas A&M.
• Strong after the catch. He has shown the ability to throw off would-be tacklers or make them miss.
• Had very good hands in college, for the most part. It should be noted that he struggled with drops in his final season, but that was not an issue his freshman or sophomore years, so I’m inclined to believe it was an anomaly.
• Dominant red zone presence in college.
• Should have some versatility—he has the size to play in-line, but the athleticism to shift into the slot, which he often did at Texas A&M.

Weaknesses

• Really did not show much growth in college. He was productive from day one, but he really plateaued. Has he already hit his ceiling?
• Below-average blocker at best. Was a genuine liability at times in the run game.
• Not explosive or twitchy. Wydermyer may struggle to shake defenders in the NFL.
• Could be better about using his size. There are times when he really struggles to take advantage of the mismatch he presents, allowing smaller defenders to cause him fits.
• It does need to be noted again that drops were an issue last year, even if they had not been before.
• Passivity as a receiver. Needs to develop the instinct to go get the ball, rather than letting it get to him.

Fit with the Packers:

Wydermyer reminds me a lot of Saints TE Adam Trautman and could wind up going in a similar spot in the draft. He has starting potential and can serve as an in-line TE or a slot receiver, but the weaknesses in Wydermyer’s game are concerning. He has huge issues as a blocker and needs to develop some aggressiveness as a receiver to help compensate for his lack of explosiveness. However, Wydermyer’s athleticism, size, and production make him an enticing prospect. Given his lack of any substantial improvement in college, I have some definite worries about his ability to develop further, and he strikes me as a boom-or-bust prospect.

If I am Brian Gutenkunst, the highest I am taking Wydermyer is the fourth round, and even then, I might have some qualms. I know he is considered one of the draft’s top TEs, but I really do worry about the lack of development and the blocking. If Green Bay does add him, he likely will not be a regular on offense in his rookie year, perhaps making occasional appearances in the red zone or in the slot. Given Matt LaFleur’s emphasis on blocking, I just do not see Wydermyer having a substantial role early, so the Texas A&M prospect would likely be a depth player that Green Bay will try to develop into a more well-rounded tight end as a potential future starter.