McCallan Castles NFL Draft Overview
Position: Tight End
Height: 6′-4″
Weight: 249 pounds
School: Tennessee
2024 NFL Draft: McCallan Castles Scouting Report
McCallan Castles was a starter for three years at U.C. Davis, where he demonstrated his potential as a receiver for the next level. He possesses good functional playing strength, reliable hands, and quick feet. However, Castles needs to improve his blocking technique and his ability to separate from defenders. Castles comes from a spread offense that didn’t do him any favors with route development, and he has had issues with drops and press coverage. Overall, he has the potential to succeed at the next level, but he needs to work on his weaknesses.
Strengths
- McCallan Castles has an NFL frame. Long tight end with reliable hands. He’ll bring a versatile role to the next level. He has the frame to gain 15 lbs and become a full-time in-line TE;
- With good functional playing strength, Castles fights for contact at the catch point, throughout the play, and at the line of scrimmage;
- He is agile for his size, changes direction well enough, is shifty enough to dodge a defender, and actively seeks contact;
- McCallan Castles is a reliable receiver who uses his size to box out defenders and make easy catches;
- He has quick feet and is a good enough route runner to create some separation on shallow routes;
- Vs. 2024. Draft Tight Ends: Yards per Route Run: 1.43 (7th), Career Yards per Reception: 13.3 (6th), Yards After the Catch: 6.9 (7th).
Weaknesses
- An improved blocking technique is needed. Potential for increased strength and muscle mass at the next level;
- Size is prioritized over separation, but the bully ball only sometimes translates to the pros;
- McCallan Castles played in a gimmicky Tennessee spread offense, which limited his route tree;
- He struggles against press coverage, often getting jammed at the line of scrimmage;
- Vs. 2024. Draft Tight Ends: Per Team Pass Attempt: 0.69 (17th).
NFL Comparison: Tommy Tremble
Teams With Need At Position: Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots
Projection: Round 5
Bottom Line on McCallan Castles
Castles has underdeveloped route-running skills and lacks the agility and flexibility to improve his game as a receiver. This may limit his potential.
To overcome these limitations, the best approach for Castles would be to gain around 15 pounds through proper NFL development. With a heavier build, he could become an effective in-line tight end in both the ground game and as an extension off the line of scrimmage. However, Castles’ stiff hips limit his potential as a receiving tight end. He must improve his blocking ability and lower-body play strength to earn consistent snaps at the next level.
Castles is an ideal TE2 candidate – a player who has the potential to improve as a blocker and receiver but is already proficient in both aspects. While Castles may not be a top guy for a team in this position, his versatile toolset will be too valuable for a team to ignore.
Main Photo: Jeremy Reper – USA Today Sports
