2020 NFL Draft prospect profile: Adam Trautman, TE Dayton

The Giants tight end situation has drastically changed over the last few weeks. They’ve added two new players to the mix with Levine Toilolo and Eric Tomlinson. Kaden Smith proved he was a viable backup tight end who could step in and contribute. With Evan Engram’s health always in question, adding additional faces to the tight end room seems to be one of the goals of the front office.

With that plan in mind, it wouldn’t rule out the Giants drafting a young tight end to add to the mix. Depending on where Dayton’s Adam Trautman lands, the Giants could land themselves a steal if he falls out of the second round.

Prospect: Adam Trautman, TE Dayton
Games Watched: vs. San Diego (2019), vs. Jacksonville (2019), vs. Drake (2019)
Red Flags: None

Measurables

Stats

Games Played: 44
Receptions: 178
Receiving Yards: 2,295
Receiving Touchdowns: 31

Quick Summary

Best: Jump balls, run after catch
Worst: Catching in traffic, catching consistency
Projection: Starting tight end or high end TE2

Game Tape

Full Report

It is always necessary to acknowledge when talking about a smaller school prospect that his film will look better than he can project in the NFL because of the competition he is playing. Adam Trautman falls under this umbrella, but the plays he made at Dayton stand out.

Trautman’s biggest strength is the threat he is in jump ball situations because of his frame, body control, and explosiveness. On multiple occasions, Trautman extended to pluck passes out of the air while being blanketed by multiple defenders. His extended reach and ability to box out defenders makes him a serious weapon in the red zone.

Thanks to his physical advantages, Trautman was able to gain consistent separation from defenders. In the games I watched, Dayton loved to use him on shallow crossing routes as well as curls. His route running on these plays was clean. On other routes, Trautman was able to weave in and out of defenders while handling contact well. At times he will round off some of his routes, particularly outs and ins. It is necessary to note he often benefited from free releases.

Trautman doesn’t have significant problems with his hands but he does need to work on them. He will rarely drop easily catchable balls, which is a positive. However, his ability to be consistent in contested high traffic situations needs to improve. Most of his drops came in these situations.

As a blocker, Trautman has the aggressiveness you want in a tight end. He’s very willing to get his nose dirty and fight with defensive ends. There was one series against Drake where he had multiple pancakes against defensive backs and linebackers. Some tight ends will shy away from contact in blocking, but Trautman will initiate it. He’ll need to work on his leverage and not getting too high, but the intent you want is there.

Overall Grade: 6.3 [Grading Scale]

Projection

Trautman will benefit significantly from a really weak tight end class in 2020. He looked dominant on tape against FCS opponents, flashing his ability to make acrobatic catches.

He has the potential to be a starting quality tight end, or at the least a dominant backup. In terms of usage, early on he can contribute the way Dallas Goedert has with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’ll be a weapon in short-yardage situations and the red zone when offenses employ multiple tight end formations.

His willingness to block and the aggressiveness he shows while doing it makes it clear he can be used on any down. While he has a lot to improve on with his blocking, he can be coached up because of his mentality.

Overall Trautman has the potential to contribute in NFL offenses. However, he will likely need time to work on his deficiencies before he can reach his ceiling.