NFL Draft Profile: Jalen Wydermyer, Tight End, Texas A&M Aggies

NFL draft profile scouting report for Texas A&M tight end, Jalen Wydermyer

---

#85
Pos: TE
Ht: 6037
Wt: 255
Hands: 0968
Arms: 3318
Wingspan: 8100
DOB: 12/20/00
Eligible: 2022
Dickinson, TX
Dickinson High School

Jalen Wydermyer
Texas A&M Aggies

---

One-Liners

Although limited by an underwhelming athletic profile and a lopsided skillset, Jalen Wydermyer’s refined route running affords him a fairly high floor at the next level.

Pros:

In a season that saw Texas A&M transition from NFL prospect Kellen Mond to new starter Zach Calzada, the Aggies relied on their established playmakers. One of the team’s best weapons, Jalen Wydermyer combines his NFL frame with a unique skill set centered around nuanced route running. The Aggies’ tight end releases with body language and hand usage at the line and up the route stem. Wydermyer precedes his breaks with head fakes and jab steps to force defenders into false steps. What’s more, the Texas A&M star separates with physicality. The smooth athlete’s feel for leverage can make him a seam option in the league. Additionally, Wydermyer is a hands catcher who uses his size to shield the ball at the catch point. The Aggies’ star is extremely efficient bringing passes in through contact. After the catch, he exhibits impressive instincts and a variety of ways to make defenders miss. Wydermyer is surprisingly elusive; conversely, he breaks tackles with power and contact balance. As a run blocker, the Aggies’ standout does his best work pulling. He explodes into contact to immediately stalemate defenders. Further, he practices sound weight distribution in pass protection; his controlled play and movement skills allow him to mirror. He has reliable vision as an in-line blocker.

Cons:

Although he possesses a promising skillset, the Texas A&M star’s projection to the next level is somewhat murky. First and foremost, Wydermyer will be limited by his lack of burst, long speed and play strength. Although he is a nuanced route runner, Wydermyer takes false steps out of his stance and jogs at times. What’s more, he is heavily impacted by physical coverage. He runs routes with a high pad level and does not use his hands to keep his frame clear. Additionally, the Aggies’ star fails to separate if opponents do not bite on his route salesmanship. NFL athletes will sometimes recover from their mistakes in coverage thanks to Wydermyer’s limited movement skills. When given the opportunity to go against future draft picks, the All-SEC tight end has struggled. At the catch point, Wydermyer occasionally double catches and is not immune to drops. As a blocker, the talented tight end takes poor angles and plays with a high pad level. Moreover, he tends to whiff by oversetting in space or leading with his shoulder. When he lands, Wydermyer does not consistently displace opponents. Conversely, he has an unreliable anchor. Defenders routinely control, stack and manage distance against Wydermyer after landing hands on his frame. Further, the Texas native’s poor grip and core strength enable opponents to disengage seemingly at will. He does not keep his lower half active. 

Summary:

A refined player, Jalen Wydermyer’s ceiling is limited by his underwhelming athletic traits. His middling speed and below-average burst will necessitate precision passing with proper timing at the next level. His underwhelming play strength will see him overpowered by NFL defenders. That said, the All-SEC tight end’s route running and willingness to engage as a blocker should afford him a high floor. He can operate in-line and from the slot at the next level. Wydermyer projects as an immediate contributor with starting potential. 

Background:

Born December 20th, 2000 in Dickinson Texas, Jalen Wydermyer had an outstanding athletic career at Dickinson High School. He ended his time in the program with 87 receptions for 1,623 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 2018, alone, he made 42 catches for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns. In recognition of his strong high school career and athletic excellence, 247Sports Composite Rankings named Wydermyer a four-star recruit. The same outlet listed him as the 359th-overall player in his class, the 15th-ranked tight end in his year and the 45th-best recruit in the state of Texas. The Dickinson native contributed immediately upon arriving at Texas A&M. In his freshman season, he played in each of the Aggies’ thirteen games, starting 11. Wydermyer recorded 32 catches for 447 yards. What’s more, his six receiving touchdowns led the team. After his debut campaign, Wydermyer earned Texas A&M’s Offensive Top Newcomer Award. Further, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team (by coaches) and the AP All-SEC Second Team. Before his sophomore year, the talented tight end was placed on the Mackey Award Watch List and made Preseason All-SEC Second Team by coaches and media. In 2020, Wydermyer continued his excellent career with the Aggies. Starting in all 10 games, the decorated pass-catcher recorded 46 receptions, 506 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He was a finalist for the John Mackey Award. Further, the then-sophomore was named All-SEC Second Team. Before his junior season, Wydermyer received Walter Camp Preseason All-America Second Team and Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Second Team honors. While it is not expected to impact his play, the Aggies’ star suffered a freak off-field injury to his finger between the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The “cut” required surgery on a tendon. Wydermyer reportedly could not take hits or play contact football and, consequently, missed the team’s spring camp. Still, Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M’s coach, stated that Wydermyer would be fine after having his finger stretched out. As predicted, the star tight end was not limited and started in all 12 games in the 2021 season. He put up 40 receptions and his four touchdowns were good for second on the team. He led the program and was second among SEC tight ends 2with 515 receiving yards. In his final season with the Aggies, Wydermyer was a 2021 Mackey Award Finalist, a 2021 Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team honoree and a 2021 AP All-SEC Second Team winner. He was given the Offensive Skill Award at the annual team banquet. 

---

Grades

Current Player Value/Potential Player Value

7.5 / 8.1

Floor/Ceiling: Immediate Possession Option / Starting Tight End

Scheme Fit: West Coast Offense

Grade: 3rd Round

CLICK BELOW FOR MORE NFL DRAFT CONTENT

2022 NFL Draft Big Board & Position Rankings

2022 NFL Draft Team Needs

2022 NFL Draft Order

The Mock Draft Simulator by Mock Draft Database

Scouting Reports

2022 NFL Mock Drafts