2020 NFL Draft prospect profile: Colby Parkinson (TE, Stanford)

The New York Giants are seemingly set at the tight end position. However, things change and this is a new coaching staff. It is entirely possible that the Giants could find themselves in need of a tight end over the course of this off-season.

If so, and if the Giants do decide to draft a tight end, it would make sense to take one later in the draft rather than earlier. Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson is a big player, listed at 6-foot-7 and over 250 pounds. He would bring a level of size to the Giants’ offense that they currently lack. But where in the draft would he bring value?

Prospect: Colby Parkinson (TE, Stanford)
Games Watched: vs. Washington (2018), vs. Northwestern (2019), vs. Central Florida (2019)
Red Flags: None

Measurables

Stats

Games Played: 31

Receptions: 87
Yards: 1,171 (13.5per catch)
Total Touchdowns (rushing/receiving):

2019 Stats: 48 receptions, 589 yards (12.3 per catch), 1 touchdown

Quick Summary

Best: Catch radius, receiving, blocking in space
Worst: Pass protection, blocking on line of scrimmage
Projection: Reserve or receiving tight end in an offense that uses 12 personnel.

Game Tape

Full Report

Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson has a good frame and large catch radius as a receiving tight end. He has very good versatility and lined up at a number of positions in Stanford’s offense. Parkinson lined up at in-line and detached tight end, as well as slot receiver and wide receiver. He is very good at using his large frame to box out and fight through contact against defensive backs and shows enough short-area quickness to be effective on come-back routes. Parkinson also has enough straight-line athleticism to be effective on seam routes against zone coverages.

He is a physical player at the catch point and shows a willingness to fight through tackles and pick up yards after the catch. He flashes the ability to be a “hands” catcher, adjusting to and extending for the ball away from his frame. Parkinson also shows a good football IQ when he isn’t in the progression. He adjusts his routes into coverage to manipulate and draw defenders, creating space for his teammates.

Parkinson has some upside as a blocker in space. He is aggressive in blocking defensive backs at the second level and routinely looks for work after a teammate catches the ball. He uses his size and frame well to wall off defenders when he can’t secure the block.

Though Parkinson was listed as a tight end and would line up in space, he should not be considered as a blocking option at the line of scrimmage. Stanford rarely asked him to pass protect and he was a non-factor when blocking for the run game at the line of scrimmage. Parkinson also lacks explosiveness as an athlete and is somewhat plodding as a runner. His height also works against him and there is noticeable wasted motion on sharply-breaking routes as he chops his feet to slow down.

Overall Grade: 5.8 - An average prospect with limitations and some above-average traits. Should be a back-up or reserve player in the NFL. A later-mid round prospect. [Grading Scale]

Projection

Colby Parkinson is a developmental prospect at the moment. His frame and play strength in space suggests that he could become a “complete” tight end with time and coaching, but right now he is more useful as a receiving option. He has the versatility to line up across the offensive formation and his size could be used to create match-up problems for smaller defenders, particularly in the red zone.

While Parkinson is not a good blocker at the line of scrimmage now, he is a willing and capable option as a blocker in space. He could be an asset for teams that run a high number of screen plays. He projects best to a team that uses a high number of 12-personnel sets, where he can give the offense an additional receiving threat, and looks to get the ball to athletes in space - for whom Parkinson could block.