Oronde Gadsden II TE Syracuse | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Oronde Gadsden II TE Syracuse
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/20/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (85%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | |
| Last Updated: 03/20/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (85%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 79.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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72% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 114.4 | |
| Hands: |
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81% |
| Short Receiving: |
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82% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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90% |
| Deep Threat: |
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91% |
| Blocking: |
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63% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#195
Position rank:
#10
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| College Games: 33 College Snaps: 1623 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 84/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tanner McLachlan - Arizona |
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83% |
| Jared Wiley - TCU |
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81% |
| Jake Ferguson - Wisconsin |
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81% |
Drafted: ROUND: 5 - Pick Number: 165 (LAC)
Draft Profile: Bio
Oronde Gadsden II arrived at Syracuse as a three-star recruit with football bloodlines, the son of former Dolphins receiver Oronde Gadsden. After a quiet freshman year at wide receiver, a position switch to tight end unlocked his true potential. The transformation was immediate - in 2022, he shattered Syracuse tight end records with 61 catches for 969 yards, leading all collegiate tight ends in receiving yardage while earning First Team All-ACC honors.A Lisfranc injury robbed him of virtually his entire 2023 campaign, but Gadsden responded with vengeance in 2024. The 6'5", 243-pounder further cemented his legacy by breaking his own Syracuse tight end records with 73 receptions for 934 yards and seven touchdowns, earning Third-Team All-American recognition. His four 100-yard receiving games as a sophomore and five more as a redshirt junior highlighted his big-play ability. Throughout his career at Syracuse, Gadsden rewrote the record books, finishing with 143 catches for 1,994 yards and 14 touchdowns despite the lost season.
Gadsden's track background and wide receiver foundation are evident in his play style. He routinely tormented ACC defenses as a matchup nightmare, whether aligned in-line, flexed out, or in the slot. With his impressive 33⅝" arms and 81¾" wingspan stretching from his 6'5" frame, Gadsden gave Syracuse quarterbacks a target radius that forgave inaccuracy while punishing defenses foolish enough to assign traditional coverage.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Natural hands catcher who snatches the ball with authority and confidence, showing remarkable consistency in traffic situations.
- Explosive straight-line speed for his size translates to immediate vertical threat capabilities, especially against linebackers in coverage.
- Displays advanced route-running nuance on intermediate patterns, creating separation through precise footwork and sudden breaks.
- Excels in contested catch situations with strong hands and impressive body control, showing some real dog in those battles.
- Medium and deep receiving skills show up on tape consistently, particularly when working the seams and outside breaking routes.
- Brings receiver-caliber ball tracking abilities, adjusting to throws with fluid body control whether working back to the ball or extending.
- Shows willingness to absorb contact after the catch, running through arm tackles and maximizing yards after contact.
- Positional flexibility allows him to align across the formation, creating favorable matchups against various defenders.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Blocking technique remains underdeveloped with inconsistent hand placement and pad level against edge defenders.
- Lacks ideal play strength when asked to anchor against defensive ends or linebackers in traditional inline assignments.
- Change-of-direction limitations make him more of a build-up runner than a sharp, elusive athlete after the catch.
- Medical evaluation requires thorough investigation after missing nearly an entire season with a Lisfranc injury.
- Lower-body strength needs development to improve blocking and enhance his ability to break tackles consistently.
Scouting Report: Summary
Gadsden projects as a flex tight end who brings immediate value as a passing game mismatch while requiring significant development as a blocker. His film shows a player with legitimate vertical field-stretching ability, soft hands in traffic, and size to bully smaller defenders. The Syracuse product plays like the converted wide receiver he is – smooth in space, dangerous down the seam, and comfortable working against various coverage looks.The stark contrast between his receiving prowess and blocking limitations defines his early NFL trajectory. When attacking downfield on medium and deep routes, Gadsden displays the body control and ball skills of a boundary receiver. Yet when tasked with traditional inline assignments, he lacks the functional strength and technical proficiency to consistently win at the point of attack. This disparity creates both an immediate role and a clear development path.
What makes Gadsden intriguing is the foundational athleticism to build upon. His outstanding physical tools – elite speed, 33⅝" arms, and natural hands – provide a framework for growth. While he'll never be confused with a sixth offensive lineman, dedicated coaching could transform him from liability to adequate in the blocking game. For offenses that prioritize 12 personnel and creating matchup advantages, Gadsden offers day-one contributions in the passing attack with the athletic ceiling to develop into a more complete player with time and technical refinement.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
Oronde Gadsden II percentiles vs other Tight Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Oronde Gadsden II (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
182.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.