 |
| Parkinson was a potent red zone weapon for Stanford |
The Rundown
Measurables
- Height: 6'7"
- Weight: 252 lbs
- Arm Length: 33 1/4"
- Hand Size: 9 5/8"
Combine Numbers
- 40-Yd Dash: 4.77 seconds
- Bench Press: 18 reps
- Vertical Jump: 32.5"
- Broad Jump: 9'1"
- 20-Yd Shuttle: 4.46 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.15 seconds
Accomplishments
- Second Team All-Pac 12 in 2019
- Averaged 16.7 yards per reception in 2018
Highlight Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECc1CvQycC8
What He Brings to The Table
- Size & Length: Parkinson presents a physical mismatch for any DB, and takes full advantage of his large frame. He consistently boxed out defenders to prevent plays on passes thrown his way, and won against many of his matchups by going over the top of them to haul in throws. The last TE of his stature that the Seahawks had was Jimmy Graham (He was also 6'7"), who became a dangerous red zone threat on post-up jump balls. Parkinson was used in a similar way at Stanford, and that could certainly translate to the NFL level.
- Receiving Skills: More than just a big body, Parkinson showed impressive hands and concentration as a receiver. He was adept at reaching out and plucking passes thrown away from his frame, and was quick to secure the ball after reeling it in. He also displayed a good feel for high-pointing passes, and adjusted his body to complete challenging catches.
Beyond his hands, Parkinson also showed that he was a smooth mover working into his routes. Despite his unimpressive 40-yard dash time, he never looked sluggish working upfield, and ran crisp breaks when the play called for it. He understood how to win leverage against his matchup, and oftentimes a completion to him was just a matter of ball placement by his QB. He was utilized on both underneath and deep throws, and offers some versatility as a pass-catcher.
Areas of Potential Concern
- Run Blocking: Parkinson was a willing run blocker, but not a competitive one. He was late to fire out of his stance at times, and looked like he was shuffling in place rather than getting after defenders. There were occasions where this was detrimental to his offense, when his blocking assignment would shoot past him to make the tackle because he didn't take initiative. When he did engage his block, he seemed content to simply be in their way, and rarely worked to drive them off their spot at the point of attack. Parkinson has the size to become a competent blocker, and could stand to show more physicality in this area.
- Response to Press Coverage: When he was given a clean release, Parkinson was quick to get into his routes. However, he had some difficulties working against defenders who bodied him early in progressions. Against press coverage, he allowed himself to be jockeyed along his routes at times, and his breaks looked laggard in comparison to when he had open space. Parkinson's frame gives him an opportunity to win even when defenders stick with him, but that doesn't mean there isn't room to develop strategies for creating separation. In a Seahawks offense that detests giving the ball away, Parkinson can maximize his catch opportunities by opening up bigger throwing windows for his QB.
Thoughts on Projection
With Greg Olsen joining the TE group in the offseason and Will Dissly coming back from an Achilles injury, Parkinson looks to be competing for the TE3 spot with Jacob Hollister and Luke Willson. He has the ball skills and size to be an asset on red zone plays, but his tepid blocking approach makes him unlikely to see the field on running downs. Parkinson has the chance to see snaps once the offense nears the end zone, and the potential to become a safety valve for Russell Wilson on 3rd downs.
Comments
Post a Comment