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2020 NFL Draft profile: Oregon TE Jacob Breeland

The Los Angeles Rams have a solid group of tight ends. Tyler Higbee had a record setting year in 2019 as a player and for the franchise. Gerald Everett will be in the final year of his contract but produced in 2018. He did okay in 2019 before an injury shortened his season. Johnny Mundt has also proven to be a solid blocker and can occasionally catch passes. He was just tendered by the Rams last week.

The Rams are loaded at the tight end position for 2020, so the interest in the University of Oregon’s star tight end Jacob Breeland is intriguing. The Rams met with Breeland on March 11. He could be a great backup waiting in the wings to play. After improving his skills at the NFL level, he would be a strong replacement for Higbee or Everett should either one leave.

Breeland was injured last October, ending his season early, but he still racked up his most yards per season in 2019. He also scored his highest number of touchdowns this season.

College Stats and Honors

2019: Breeland played in only six games in 2019. He earned 26 receptions for 405 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also led the Pac-12 tight ends in touchdowns despite his shortened season.

Career: He earned 74 catches for 1,225 yards and 13 touchdowns in his collegiate career with the Ducks.

Honors: 2019 PFF National Team of the Week (Week 2), 2019 PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Weeks 2, 6 and 7).

Strengths

Watching Breeland’s game film, one can see his incredible receiving ability, especially as a red zone threat. His uncanny ability to make himself open to be a playmaker is impressive. He has great hands and solid body control. Breeland is the perfect size for a tight end at 6’5,” 252 pounds. He has quick bursts off the snap. He has also had some impressive plays as a run blocker, sometimes blocking two defenders at the same time in different directions. That versatility translates to playing anywhere along the line or in the backfield. His footwork and route-running are good too. One can only imagine how far he could have gone had he not been injured in 2019.

Weaknesses

His biggest weakness right now is his uncertainty after his season-ending left leg injury. Breeland has been rehabbing his leg and is currently running, but teams have yet to see him in action. Even when healthy, his speed is questionable when being covered by NFL linebackers or defensive backs. He also needs to work on stronger in-line blocking fundamentals to get him to the next level.

Expected Draft Round

Breeland still has great potential for any team for their tight end position. His size and talent will impress, but his recent injury will drop him down a bit. He also has room for improvement when it comes to blocking and getting faster to be an NFL-caliber tight end. Some mock drafts have him going in the fifth round. He may even go in the fourth, given the NFL’s newfound need for versatile tight ends. The Rams love tight ends with these abilities, but they do not have a desperate need for another one now. Perhaps, the Rams could select him for a dual-use threat. A fullback position is not out of the question for the Rams in 2020.

Source: Sports-reference.com

You can follow Erik Ho on Twitter @EHoinSDLVLA. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.

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