Pros: This Boilermaker definitely provided the “wow” factor at the Scouting Combine with one of the most impressive showings of any player in attendance. Keller led all tight ends with his forty-yard dash, twenty-yard shuttle, vertical jump, broad jump and bench press. An offensive threat, he proved that there are no doubts about his strength, speed, acceleration and athleticism. Keller has the ability to find the open seam and make the catch, looking every bit the part of a converted wide receiver. He has exquisite field vision and is tough to cover in man coverage. The agile Keller also has a knack for finding the end zone and could be a great asset inside the red zone. A physical player who is not afraid to mix it up, Keller is fit, with defined muscle tone and has solid fundamentals.

Cons: The compact tight end can get tied up at the line of scrimmage and needs to learn how to make better use of his hands when shedding larger defenders. At his size, Keller will not be a dominant blocker at the point of attack. Durability is an issue, as he missed one game as a sophomore due to a left ankle injury and he tore his right AC joint during his junior season.

Overall: Keller was one of the most productive tight ends in the country the past two seasons. He lacks great size but answered all other question in Indianapolis. His ability to get downfield works very well for today’s NFL game. While he has been nicked up throughout his career with various ailments, Keller has missed just one game due to injury. He managed to play thru the AC injury and has shown no ill effects of surgery since, which is an understatement.

Our View: Many scouts have cautioned that Keller may be undersized, but he certainly has shown the toughness and intensity to compete. He will likely be most effective when utilized in motion prior to the snap, which in turn could lead to Keller developing into a stellar pass-catching H-back.