2023 NFL Draft Profile: TE Luke Musgrave -

Embed from Getty Images
A native of Bend, Oregon, Luke Musgrave appeared in parts of four seasons for the Oregon State Beavers. He finished his college football career with 47 receptions, 633 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. The flashes he showed when on the field were tantalizing. However, Musgrave unfortunately missed a fair amount of time over those four years. He only played in two games in 2022. While those showings were productive, a knee injury forced him to miss the rest of the season after two appearances.

NAME

Luke Musgrave

POSITION

Tight End

HEIGHT

6’6”

WEIGHT

253 pounds

SCHOOL

Oregon State

Top Strengths

Athleticism

The overall athleticism, agility and footwork of Luke Musgrave is awe-inspiring. That is especially true, given his frame (6’6”, 253 pounds). With how smooth he can be in and out of breaks, defenders can truly be left hanging on for dear life. With how aggressively Musgrave can attack during routes, defenders are occasionally forced to award him an ample cushion. That makes him unbelievably dangerous when getting to run vertical routes in the middle of the field or up the seams.

Hands

When someone exudes soft and natural hands as a pass catcher, there is usually a point at which any kind of catch becomes seemingly automatic. Luke Musgrave extends his arms and hands at the catch point. As a result, the tight end prospect is able to pluck the ball out of the air from any angle. That also helps him avoid the possibility of the ball bouncing off of his chest. With his ball tracking ability and adjustments, Musgrave is dominant in contested catch situations.

Football IQ

For a player that has missed some time here and there, Luke Musgrave is incredibly smart. His understanding and reads against coverage are swift and urgent. This is a pass catcher that can routinely find the soft spots in between zones. On the other hand, Musgrave is exquisite at selling his routes. That ability to quickly win and recognize leverage allows the quarterback to get the ball out immediately. Do not discredit the spatial awareness of Musgrave, either.

Areas Of Improvement

Increasing Production

It may sound cliche to say, but the inexperience of Luke Musgrave should be a notable factor. He played in just 34 games across four seasons for the Beavers. Elsewhere, Musgrave was limited to just two games in 2022 after suffering a knee injury. If his on-field splashes continue, he has a very high ceiling. Yet, Musgrave must prove that he can remain available and produce consistently for his team.

Ep 119: Patrick Mahomes' Top 5 List
by Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2023 at 7:49 pm

MORE PODCASTS From FPC

Blocking Technique

Obviously, there is immediate effort that Luke Musgrave shows on tape while blocking. He actually does well to find defenders to block in the open field, if a teammate catches a pass near his side of the field. But while blocking as an in-line tight end, there is a lack of strength and power in his attempts. Musgrave could stand to extend his arms earlier and more often. Additionally, the Oregon State product can be hit or miss with his hand placement on defenders.

Release Package

Beating press coverage off the line of scrimmage is a work in progress. Luke Musgrave is so effective with his size and speed, that sometimes he lacks variety in his releases. He could possibly gain more separation on certain reps by varying his plan of attack off the line of scrimmage. However, there is some good news in this area. Musgrave’s long arms should be a nice starting point for helping him work through contact against more physical defenders, overall.

Ideal Role

Luke Musgrave fits the Y-tight end role to a tee. He can be a receiving threat from the in-line spot and when flexed into the slot. With his effort as a blocker, so long as technique improves, there is no reason that Musgrave cannot be a three-down player. His playmaking ability, combined with his athleticism, makes Musgrave a threat that can constantly dominate a game as he continues to mold his game.

Potential Fits

There are quite a few teams that could look to take a tight end among a deep and fun class in 2023. Let’s go ahead and list three teams that could make sense for Luke Musgrave. First and foremost, the Green Bay Packers will have to build a more well-rounded supporting cast, as Jordan Love is expected to take over as starting quarterback. A tight end room with Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis is not going to cut it.

The Washington Commanders are another team that need more reliability in the tight end room. Logan Thomas, John Bates and Cole Turner are fine depth players. Though, they should not be trusted as your top pass catchers in that spot. New offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy may see Musgrave as an instinctive and athletic fit for his offense. Finally, the Miami Dolphins could also view the athleticism of Luke Musgrave as a natural fit for Mike McDaniel‘s offense.

Be on the lookout for more FPC 2023 NFL Draft prospect profiles throughout the next month. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.