Hogs Haven takes a look at 2023 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Luke Musgrave, TE
School: Oregon State | Conference: Pac-12
College Experience: Junior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6’5” / 254 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Late 1st – 3rd Round
Player Comparison: Dallas Goedert
College Statistics
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2019 | Oregon State | Pac-12 | FR | TE | 2 | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 | |
| 2020 | Oregon State | Pac-12 | SO | TE | 6 | 12 | 142 | 11.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 142 | 11.8 | 0 | |
| *2021 | Oregon State | Pac-12 | SO | TE | 10 | 22 | 304 | 13.8 | 1 | 1 | -1 | -1.0 | 0 | 23 | 303 | 13.2 | 1 |
| *2022 | Oregon State | Pac-12 | JR | TE | 2 | 11 | 169 | 15.4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 169 | 15.4 | 1 | |
| Career | Oregon State | 47 | 633 | 13.5 | 2 | 1 | -1 | -1.0 | 0 | 48 | 632 | 13.2 | 2 | ||||
Player Overview
Watching Luke Musgrave play, the athleticism is evident. He not only played multiple sports in high school but played multiple positions – wide receiver, defensive end, and tight end – on the football field. Musgrave also has bloodlines as a former quarterback and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is his uncle. Musgrave started his career slowly, not making much of an impact until the 2021 season when he put up 304 yards and a touchdown on 22 catches. There were high expectations for Musgrave as he was named to Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List before the season started. He began the 2022 season on a tear with 11 receptions, 169 yards and a touchdown in the first two games. A knee injury ended his season early, but he has recovered and had a great week at the Senior Bowl.
Strengths
- Excellent size, speed, and athleticism for the position
- One of the best route-runners at the position, constantly getting open
- Tracks the ball downfield and snags catches with reliable hands
Weaknesses
- While a willing blocker that can be effective, could improve in this area
- Not particularly elusive as a runner and often goes down on first contact
- Small sample size in last season
- Undisclosed knee injury
Let’s see his work
At 6’5 255 Luke Musgrave is an athletic move TE with good hands ball tracking and can stress a defense vertically
Clocked 20.05 MPH down in Mobile which is the highest by any TE since the Senior Bowl started tracking in 2018
Getting legit top 50 buzz
pic.twitter.com/Tx1NMRY3lY— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) February 2, 2023
Luke Musgrave @BeaverFootball washes the DE to create a crease for the RB pic.twitter.com/ly2JFJjNDV
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 4, 2023
Auburn’s Derick Hall sets the edge and then discards Luke Musgrave for the run stuff. Not sure that there’s been a more physical edge setter at the #SeniorBowl than Hall. pic.twitter.com/9I9nPaawqW
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 3, 2023
How he fits on the Commanders
The Commanders had a very disappointing year at the tight end position. Logan Thomas never looked like himself as he worked his way back from an ACL injury. No other tight ends on the roster stepped up to fill the void. Given that John Bates, Cole Turner, and Armani Rogers are all young, and have time to improve, but made little impact this past season. A player like Musgraves could come in and immediately be the best receiving option at the position. Though he could do damage flexed out, he can play inline and help in the run game. The Commanders would have to use an early pick to draft him, but he would be a reliable target for Sam Howell as he develops.