NFL Draft 2015: Grading The Kansas City Chiefs

Jan 10, 2015; Frisco, TX, USA; Illinois State Redbirds tight end James O

Round 5 – Pick 173 – James O’Shaughnessy – Tight End – Illinois State

This is another pick that I’m a huge fan of.

I profiled James O’Shaughnessy last month in a piece on small-school draft targets. What impressed me the most about O’Shaughnessy was how he seemed to be the total package. Not only did he run good routes and make contested catches, but he’s a feisty blocker and great special teams contributor. The only real downside I see is that, at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, he’s a little light for a NFL tight end.

Here’s my hope… when I watch O’Shaughnessy’s college highlights it reminds me of when I watched Travis Kelce’s after the Chiefs took him two years ago. Now, the difference is that O’Shaughnessy is smaller than Kelce and his highlights come against inferior competition. Still, putting him on the same team as Kelce where he can study and watch his every move can only help the young tight end. He seems to play the game with the same competitive spirit.

I don’t know if O’Shaughnessy will be able to surpass DeMetrius Harris as the second tight end as a rookie, but his special teams play should make him a safe pick as the third tight end and over time (especially if he bulks up) I think he’ll prove to be a great weapon to pair with Kelce.

Pick Grade: A

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