Tight End University. The Iowa Hawkeyes battle the Penn State Nittany Lions as the cream of the crop regarding NFL tight end development. Could Luke Lachey be the next in a line of talents, including George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, and Sam LaPorta?
Luke Lachey Profile and Measurements
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 253
Position: Tight End
School: Iowa
Current Year: Senior (Fifth Year)
Luke Lachey Scouting Report
Strengths
- Works hard to cut off defenders as backside blocker on weak zone runs
- Smooth acceleration vertically on the snap from three-point stance
- Impressive strike placement and timing
- Efficient footwork when geared down and impressive hip fluidity to burst out of sharp in-breaking and out-breaking routes
- Flashes ability to brake hard and make hard-pursuing defenders miss in space
- Foot efficiency extends to free releases
- Long and tall frame with impressive overall balance and fluidity
- Impressive aim and violence as a blocker in space
- Strong, soft hands that have been consistent throughout his collegiate career
- Finishes well around traffic and through contact
- Flashes counter strikes when hands are initially dissected
Weaknesses
- Could stand to sell play action with a real downhill chip before releasing
- Right-side dominant when performing cutoff blocks as backside blocker on stretch runs
- Struggles to strike and anchor with left hand
- Lacks first-step burst from WR alignment
- Underwhelming eye manipulation and agility to stay clean along vertical route stems
- Needs further core strength development to survive as a blocker at the NFL level
- Hands must improve to keep himself clean along route stems
- Uninspiring post-catch plan and creativity with ball in hand when the picture is congested
- Rarely used as a pass protector on true dropback passes
- Will be a 24-year-old rookie
Summary and Draft Projection
Lachey never materialized the way many believed he would after a strong sophomore campaign for the Hawkeyes. After splashing with 382 receiving yards in 2022, he only managed 362 over his next two seasons.
It looked like 2023 would be his ascension, amassing 15 targets over the Hawkeyes’ first two games. Unfortunately, he lost his season against Western Michigan in Week 3 due to an ankle injury. His final collegiate campaign saw him take a back seat in the passing game while tight ends around the country put on Taylor Swift-level world tour shows.
The Columbus, Ohio native is the son of former Buckeye and decade-long NFL veteran Jim Lachey. However, Luke’s recruitment took him to Iowa as a three-star.
Although lacking production, Lachey plays a position that’s far from reliant on collegiate production to survive or even thrive at the NFL level. Many college offenses fail to feature the position in the passing game properly, and there’s a strong correlation between success at the NFL level and overall athletic profile (like RAS.)
Lachey has “the juice” to be a starter at the NFL level. He’ll need to develop his core strength a bit if he wants to be a difference-making in-line blocker as a TE2 early in his career.
However, his length and smooth acceleration off the line should serve him well as a seam stretcher.
He’s also a fluid and technical route runner when he’s working against air. He must improve his hands to keep him from consistently getting tangled by defenders along the stem, and Lachey could also stand to use his frame way more to shield and shove (legally) at the top of routes and along route stems to gain separation.
Lachey is a perfect Day 3 draft swing on an athletic tight end who should be able to contribute on special teams, although that’s not something he did at Iowa.
