Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo is a playmaker to watch

Miami’s Elijah Arroyo isn’t just another tight end prospect. He’s a playmaker. Arroyo turned heads at the Senior Bowl with his route running, body control, and his ability to gain extra yards.

Several NFL teams will look for a tight end to upgrade their offense. This year’s draft class is loaded with talent. At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Arroyo has the ideal weight and size to make it into an NFL roster. 

Arroyo was unstoppable in single coverage, as his PFF grade (99.7) shows. His route running ability made him a standout at the Senior Bowl. The Frisco, Texas., native is known for creating separation and only has a low ball drop rating (2.1%).

In his final season at Miami, he recorded 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Red zone threat

His ability to quickly change direction after a catch allows him to gain extra yards. In Week 9 against Georgia Tech, Arroyo showcased his speed by catching a 74-yard pass from quarterback Cam Ward while reaching a top speed of 21.8 mph.

His ability to win one-on-one matchups against linebackers and corners makes him a red-zone threat due to his large size. 

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“It’s hard not to fall in love with Arroyo getting off the bus, and he backs it up with his play.” wrote Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports. “He’s a long strider who is comfortable inline or in the slot, and can stress defenses between the numbers because of his athleticism. He has an enormous catch radius, soft hands and explodes out of his breaks.”

If teams are willing to overlook his injury history, the speedy route runner could be in high demand. He is currently projected to go in the third round of the draft, but that could change with a solid combine. Teams like the Chargers, Broncos, Bengals and Colts are in need of a tight end to bolster their offenses.