If you're wondering which tight end in the 2014 NFL Draft profiles as the best fantasy producer, numberFire's Reception a short look at Seferian-Jenkins in action to know he's about to cause headaches for defensive coordinators. Soft hands, other worldly catch radius, high point ability, body control, pure athleticism (he played 17 games at forward for UW's basketball team as a freshman), the ability to break tackles, just enough speed - ASJ is the total package.
After setting University of Washington tight end records for career receptions, career yardage, career touchdowns, single-season receptions and single-season yardage in just two seasons, it appeared Seferian-Jenkins was a shoo-in for a first round draft grade. Regrettably, his junior year at UW unfolded as a series of unfortunate events.
ASJ's 2013 season began with a March DUI arrest (and subsequent one game suspension), and ended with a dismal stat line across the board. Seferian-Jenkins saw both his reception and receiving yard totals dip a staggering 47% from his sophomore year (though he remained relevant in the red zone, catching a team high eight TDs). While his questionable judgment and statistical downturn raise an eyebrow, they also conspired to turn ASJ into one of the draft's greatest bargains.
Here's a look at Seferian-Jenkins speaking about the DUI to a group of high school students in December of 2013. There's no denying drunk driving shows really bad decision making, but I haven't seen too many people come off as genuinely contrite (and articulate) as ASJ did in that video. He hasn't been involved in any other reported off-field transgressions, so let's stop short of branding him a menace to society.
The statistical downturn is troubling, but it can be explained (at least in part) by a shift in Washington's offensive philosophy. Pass attempts were down 18.5% for Steve Sarkasian's squad last season, as they chose to focus their offense around Bishop Sankey and the run game. The Huskies ran the ball 30% more in 2013 than they did in 2012, often leaving Seferian-Jenkins in to block (incidentally, there are many who point to ASJ's improvement as a blocker contributing to Sankey's big season).
It's also unknown how much the stress fracture in ASJ's foot (the same one that knocked him out of the combine) contributed to his poor performance last season. Due to the tricky nature of diagnosing stress fractures, the injury was only discovered during combine medical exams. Seferian-Jenkins may very well have played most of the 2013 season on one wheel.
No matter the case, I can forgive one sub-par season from a prospect of ASJ's caliber. He figures to enter his rookie year healthy, and with all the tools that made him one of the most complete tight ends in college football firmly intact.
Fit with the Bucs
I'll admit to being a tad disappointed ASJ didn't land in a high-powered passing offense like Green Bay or Atlanta, but Tampa Bay is surely an intriguing fit.
The Buccaneers now boast a jumbo size receiver corps that is going to be an absolute load for defenses to handle. With 6'5'', 225-pound stud first rounder Mike Evans lining up on one side of the field, and 6'5'', 230 lb.