Carolina Panthers: 5 tight end draft prospects that could replace Olsen

Dalton Keene – (Virginia Tech)

Dalton Keene is an ultra-competitive individual who is gained a lot of buzz heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. The tight end possesses a tremendous amount of versatility and his skill set is almost guaranteed to make a strong transition to the pros.

The Virginia Tech standout has plenty going for him and is coming off a strong 2019 campaign. Keene’s final year in the college system saw the player secure 21 receptions, 241 yards and five touchdowns on an 11.5 yards-per-catch average.

While those statistics do not jump out, Keene is much more than just a pass-catching tight end and is a very good blocker. He thrives in a lead role at the second level and is equally adept at pass protecting when the occasion fits.

This is seen as a dying characteristic in NFL tight ends. But Keene’s character and high engine are sure to make him an enticing proposition for any team after the third round.

There are some areas of his game that need improvement. Keene is a very limited route runner at the present time and will need to increase his repertoire to become a prominent passing threat at the next level.

He fits well into the Carolina Panthers’ run-first offense that goes through All-Pro Christian McCaffrey. Keene is a dominant blocking force on the run, and this could aid the running back considerably.