The 2023 NFL draft is only days away, and we here at Commanders Wire will look to profile multiple 2023 prospects daily leading up to day one of the draft.
We will focus on prospects who could be available for Washington and who fit a position of need. Our prospect profiles will not be exclusive to projected first-round picks only but also players who will be selected on the second and third days of the NFL draft.
The Commanders are first on the clock at No. 16 overall.
Today, we profile Oregon State tight Luke Musgrave.
The numbers
Size: 6-foot-6, 253 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.61 seconds
Arms: 32 5/8″
Hands: 10 3/8″
Vertical jump: 36″
Broad jump: 10′ 5″
10-yard split: 1.54 seconds
Scouting report
Musgrave has excellent size, and good speed, catches everything and runs excellent routes. Still has a ways to go as a blocker. In his four college seasons, Musgrave had two abbreviated seasons, meaning there isn’t a lot of wear and tear on his body. He has also played fewer snaps than some of the other top tight ends. Another high-upside guy.
Here’s Lance Zierlein of NFL.com’s scouting report on Musgrave:
Between the abbreviated 2020 season and an injury-shortened 2022 campaign, Musgrave’s snaps have been somewhat limited, but it’s easy to like what he’s put on tape. His route running harkens back to his slalom days with nimble feet and smooth hips helping to generate rhythm and separation in and out of breaks. He needs a little more bulk for combat in the trenches, but he offers what evaluators are looking for in technique, strain and demeanor. Musgrave has starter potential and should gain a coveted slot on draft boards from teams looking to add versatility to their 12 personnel (two tight ends) packages.
College stats
2019: Played in all 12 games with one start, catching two passes for 18 yards as a true freshman.
2020: Played in all seven games with three starts in the COVID-shortened season. Musgrave had 12 receptions for 142 yards.
2021: Played in all 13 games with nine starts. Caught 22 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown.
2022: Started two games before missing the rest of the season with an injury. Caught 11 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown.
Highlights
Fit with Commanders
Musgrave would an intriguing selection for the Commanders. He looked on the verge of a breakout season in 2022 before a knee injury ended things prematurely. If Washington picks Musgrave, it’s not going to be in the first round. It could be in the second or third round if the Commanders add more selections. New offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy comes from a place where an athletic tight end was an offensive centerpiece. Musgrave isn’t Travis Kelce, but he has the potential to be an excellent receiving tight end at the next level.
Head coach Ron Rivera has said all the right things about the current tight ends, including veteran Logan Thomas. Adding another tight end early would tell us the Commanders aren’t sold on their young tight ends.
