Luke Musgrave Draft Profile

Luke Musgrave, a 3-star recruit from Bend Senior High School, decided to join the football team at Oregon State University.

As a freshman in 2019, Musgrave entered the field for the Beavers in 8 games, making just 2 receptions for 18 yards. During this time, he played on just 59 snaps, which indicated a relatively small role on the team.

The following year, as a sophomore in 2020, Musgrave experienced a COVID-shortened season, playing only 7 games. However, he managed to increase his role on the team, making 12 catches for a total of 142 yards, with an average of 11.8 yards per catch.

By the time he became a junior in 2021, Musgrave played in all 13 games, showing a significant improvement in performance. Throughout the season, he had 22 receptions, totaling 304 yards with an average of 13.8 yards per catch. In addition, he scored one touchdown and had a QB rating of 61.1 when targeted.

Unfortunately, during Musgrave’s senior year in 2022, he suffered from injuries that limited his playtime to just 2 games. However, within this brief time, he made an impact, catching 11 passes for a total of 169 yards, averaging 15.4 yards per catch, and earning one touchdown. Impressively, his QB rating when targeted improved significantly to 132.4, showcasing his ability to work well with his team’s quarterback. Furthermore, Musgrave proved an asset in pass protection, giving up just one pressure.

Luke Musgrave Scouting Report Introduction

Luke Musgrave is a promising prospect for NFL teams in search of a versatile and athletic tight end. Musgrave was a multi-sport athlete, participating in lacrosse, ski racing, track, and playing football at defensive end, wide receiver, and tight end positions. This athletic background forms the foundation for Musgrave’s impressive athleticism, which is further bolstered by his NFL football pedigree- his uncle, Bill Musgrave, played quarterback in the NFL from 1991-1998 for multiple teams.

In terms of his skills as a tight end, Musgrave brings a lot of versatility to the table. He can operate in-line as a traditional Y-tight end or split into the slot, making him alignment-fluid and difficult to defend against. He is a reliable pass-catcher with secure hands, and he is adept at tracking the ball and attacking it at the highest point. His route-running is adequate, and he is best suited to vertically threatening up the seams or across the field on benders (over route).

Musgrave’s athleticism is again apparent when he runs unimpeded, and his speed can be a problem for linebackers. However, he struggles to create separation against physical coverage and resistance, and he can be impeded early in routes. His average play strength also shows up in blocking sequences, where he is a competitive blocker that gives maximum effort but is not an uber-physical blocker.

Despite these limitations, Musgrave’s versatility and potential make him a valuable addition to an NFL team. As a TE2 early in his career, he has the potential to develop into a starter. His value in the red zone is especially noteworthy, and he can operate effectively out of 12-personnel packages with two tight ends that can either use the pass or run game to move the football. Musgrave will need to improve his play strength and defeat physical coverage quicker, but with his impressive athleticism and athletic background, he has the potential for a successful NFL career.

Strengths

Luke Musgrave is a highly talented football player who has caught the attention of many scouts and analysts due to his impressive physical attributes and skill set. Standing at 6-6 and weighing 255lbs, Musgrave has a prototypical size for his position as a tight end in the NFL.

In addition to his size, Musgrave also boasts impressive athleticism which has earned him a spot on Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List, where he was ranked #27. His NFL bloodlines come through his uncle who was a professional quarterback in the 1990s. Musgrave has also excelled in other sports, specifically lacrosse and alpine skiing.

During the offseason, Musgrave tested exceptionally well with a 36 1/2 inch vertical jump, 10-1 3/4 broad jump, 4.51 40-yard dash, and 4.21 in the pro agility drill. These numbers are all exceptional for a player of his size and position.

Musgrave’s athleticism is evident on the field, as he has great short-area quickness which allows him to create separation from defenders. He is also a legitimate vertical threat with straight-line speed that can threaten defenders down the seam.

Despite his impressive abilities, Musgrave’s college production has been limited due to bad luck rather than poor play. He faced a limited 2020 season due to COVID-19 and also suffered a serious knee injury in 2022 which caused him to miss all but two games. Additionally, he played in an inconsistent offense and was misused resulting in underwhelming production.

Musgrave is not just a one-dimensional player as he has value as a catch-and-run threat, running hard and consistently picking up yards after the catch. He excels in contested catch situations, using his elite height to shield the ball and dominate defenders at the catch point.

Musgrave is also a precise route runner with mostly crisp cuts. He is difficult to cover and consistently creates separation from defenders. His combination of size and speed allows him to accelerate off the line better than most big receivers, and he demonstrates smoothness and balance in his movements.

Finally, Musgrave has soft, reliable hands, and he can center himself to become the big target for quarterbacks. He shields the defense and protects the ball when about to absorb a big hit over the middle. Musgrave shows a natural knack for setting up defensive backs and possesses the potential to develop into a dominant force at the next level.

Weaknesses

When evaluating Luke Musgrave’s skills as a tight end, there is no denying that he is a work in progress. This is particularly evident in his blocking technique, where Musgrave often plays too high and can get overpowered at the point of attack. This weakness in his game is likely due to his inexperience as a player, having only played for a single season where he was on the field for more than 350 snaps (in 2021).

In addition to his struggles as a blocker, Musgrave also falls short in creating separation on the field. Despite possessing elite timed speed, he does not create the kind of separation that one would hope for. Moreover, he has only managed to make 304 yards through the air in his best season, indicating that he still has a long way to go in developing his offensive capabilities as well.

Another area where Musgrave needs to work on is his ability to get his head around and locate the ball on shorter routes over the middle. This will be crucial for him to become a reliable target for his team, especially in situations where he is being heavily pressured by the opposing defense.

Luke Musgrave is our 71st prospect on our draft big board.