Caden Prieskorn, TE Ole Miss: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Prieskorn was a recruit from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va. in the class of 2019

Ole Miss tight ends Caden Prieskorn and Michael Trigg will compete for targets this coming season. Prieskorn should win that battle. He’s not on the level of a top 100 selection, but the Memphis transfer projects as an early day three talent in the 2024 NFL Draft.

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Caden Prieskorn, TE Ole Miss: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt senior tight end from Lake Orion, Mich.

Background: Prieskorn was a recruit from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va. in the class of 2019. He didn’t receive a star ranking from any major recruiting service upon leaving high school or his post-graduate stop at Fork Union Military Academy. The former high school quarterback walked on for Memphis in 2019 before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2023 season. Prieskorn played basketball and football in high school.

Injuries & Off-Field: An injury shortened his season at Fork Union Military Academy

Awards: 2019 & 2020 AAC All-Academic Team, 2022 Second Team All-AAC

Pros: Special teams experience on the kick return and field goal units, added more than 30 lbs. since arriving at Memphis, primarily plays in-line, in the slot, and at H-back, arm length should meet thresholds, size makes him a red zone target, large catch radius, natural hands catcher, plays through mid-route contact without being derailed, chops his feet to make sharp breaks in his route, build up speed to cover ground quickly, catches short passes and eats up space quickly, defensive backs struggle to bring him down, maximizes his arm length as a blocker, aggressive blocker who gets into the pads of defenders, easily seals or redirects defensive backs, takes good angles to blocks, climbs to the second level to seal linebackers, body positioning when blocking

Cons: Enters 2023 with one season of production, not a twitchy or dynamic athlete, limited speed and agility, inconsistent release speed, lumbers out of his stance, slow getting into his route, doesn’t threaten defenses vertically, doesn’t generate much natural separation, routes aren’t sudden, still developing a feel for holes in zone, looks lost on extended plays, most production comes on short receptions, doesn’t offer much after the catch, needs to do a better job pairing his footwork, clamp, and arm extension when blocking, needs to replace his hands faster when blocking, room to improve his footwork and base as a run blocker

Overview: Prieskorn added more than 30 lbs. since arriving at Memphis. He primarily lines up in the slot, in-line, and at H-back. Prieskorn has a large upper body with a leaner lower half. His arm length should meet the NFL’s thresholds. The Memphis transfer’s size and large catch radius make him a red zone target. He’s a natural hands catcher who plucks the ball out of the air. Prieskorn uses his size to play through mid-route contact and establish positioning at the catch point. He occasionally executes sharp cuts in his route but generally lacks the agility to generate separation with his route running. Prieskorn’s release speed off the line is inconsistent. Sometimes he rumbles off the line, but there are also positive reps where he times the snap well. The Michigan native builds up speed to cover ground quickly. He frequently caught short passes and ate up space after the reception at Memphis. Defensive backs struggle to bring down Prieskorn, but he is vulnerable to being chopped down at the legs. The redshirt senior is a very experienced blocker with impressive technique. He maximizes his arm length and aggressively digs into the defender’s pads. Prieskorn easily seals or redirects defensive backs and takes good angles to linebackers. He consistently positions himself between the ball and the defender, even if he’s struggling to sustain his position against edge rushers. The All-American Athletic Conference tight end needs to replace his hands faster when blocking and has room to improve his footwork and base. However, he’s still one of the more proficient blocking tight ends in this class. Prieskorn isn’t a twitchy or dynamic athlete, and his mediocre speed and agility limit his ceiling as a prospect. He doesn’t threaten defenses vertically or generate much natural separation. Prieskorn is still developing a feel for finding holes in zone. He becomes lost on extended plays, pulls up, and begins watching the quarterback instead of working to get open. Most of his production at Memphis came on short receptions with easy access to space, but those YAC opportunities won’t present themselves as often at the NFL level.

Overall, Prieskorn is still developing his instincts as a route runner, but his build and contributions as a blocker give him a high floor as a prospect. Prieskorn and 2022 USC transfer Michael Trigg will compete for targets this coming season. The Memphis transfer needs to win that battle and prove he’s capable of contributing on more downfield pass plays.

Role & Scheme Fit: Backup in-line Y tight end

Round Projection: Mid to Late Fourth

Size: 6'5", 255 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 05-22-23