Is Tommy Tremble a tight end prospect the Steelers need in the 2021 NFL Draft?

For teams who are looking for a mid-round TE in the 2021 NFL Draft, Tommy Tremble might be a prospect to keep an eye on.

By Jeff.Hartman@BnGBlitz Apr 28, 2021, 3:15pm EDT

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 05 Bowling Green at Notre Dame

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of many NFL organizations who could be looking at a tight end in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. However, unlike the other franchises who are looking to add to their current secondary depth chart, the Steelers possess the 24th overall pick.

Not really conducive to getting a top tier prospect, and although there are big name prospects like Kyle Pitts, what about the mid-round options? There are a lot of talented players who could be available to the Steelers in the mid-to-later rounds, and Tommy Tremble certainly is a tough player to peg in regards to where he is expected to be taken in the upcoming draft.

There is the chance the Steelers choose to take a tight end to bolster their lackluster depth in 2021, and if Notre Dame’s Tremble is available when the Steelers pick on Day 2 or early Day 3, is he an option?

I did some digging on Tremble, and put together a brief synopsis of the kind of player he is, and will be when becoming a professional. Below you’ll see draft profile breakdowns, film room breakdowns and game film for you to enjoy.

Don’t listen to me, or anyone else, form your own opinion on Tremble. I plan on doing this for other prospects as the draft approaches. If there is a specific player you’d like to see covered, simply let me know and I’ll be glad to put it together!

Let us know your thoughts on Tremble in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the new league year, NFL Free Agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.

Draft Profiles

NFL.com

Overview

Highly intriguing early entry tight end who appears to be scratching the surface of his future impact. He’s not the same level of player, but Tremble’s blocking toughness and athletic profile are reminiscent of Kellen Winslow Jr.’s when he entered the league. Tremble is a gritty, capable blocker at the point of attack and will really move the needle as a lead and move blocker in space. However, he lacks development as a route runner and has hands that fail to inspire confidence as a pass catcher. His versatility as a run blocker will allow offensive coordinators to shift him around formations and create favorable matchups in the passing game. If he’s able to simply improve his hands status to average, his speed and athleticism should create chunk play opportunities. He has Day 2 value with Day 1 upside.

Strengths

Feisty play demeanor suits his love of contact.
Activated as blocker from a variety of formations.
Uses athletic talent to gain positioning after initial strike.
Accelerates and crashes into targets as lead blocker.
Smooth block-to-block transition to open the edge for outside run.
Blocking talent opens up play-action opportunities.
Athletic ability and speed stand out as pass catcher.
Bursts off the snap and races into route.
Basketball movement for easy route adjustments in traffic.
Can separate on second- and third-level routes.
Vast improvement from 2019 with contested catches.
Talent and athleticism for some pass protection asks.

Weaknesses

Just 35 career catches for 401 yards.
Gives away short routes with altered initial speed.
Needs quicker sink and open versus short zone.
Double catches and drops are a concern.
Had more drops than touchdowns at Notre Dame.
Still learning to fit up block with proper platform and pad level.
Needs quiet, efficient hands at the point of attack.

The Draft Network

Tommy Tremble projects as an F-tight end in the NFL—a flex weapon that will be best served in an offense that doesn’t charge him with playing with his hand in the dirt. Tremble is a plus athlete who offers the long speed and agility to be dynamic as a pass-catcher, but his production to this point has yet to make the leap that you’d want to see to feel confident that he’s going to develop into an upper-level tight end at some point. Tremble has spent his career at Notre Dame caught behind the likes of Cole Kmet and 2020 freshman star Michael Mayer; he’s been the TE2 who is charged with moving around the set or blocking on the perimeter to set up runs and screens to the outside. Tremble’s potential is significant and his effort as a role player has been admirable, so you’ll feel fairly good that Tremble has the right makeup to stick as a developmental player while working himself into a more prominent role as he continues to mature.

Ideal Role: F-alignment tight end.

Scheme Fit: High motion, high volume perimeter concepts, high play-action passing ratio.

Pro Football Network

Position: Tight End
School: Notre Dame
Current Year: Junior
Height: 6’3 3/8″
Weight: 241 pounds

Positives: Athletic tight end who flashed dominance as both a blocker and a pass catcher. Sets with a wide base, bends his knees, and possesses terrific blocking vision. Explosive at the point and knocks defenders back from the action, working through the whistle. Runs well laterally, follows the quarterback across the field, and adjusts and swipes the ball out of the air on crossing patterns.

Extends to make the reception away from his frame and displays strong hands with the ability to pull the fastball out of the air. Works to make himself an available target and uses his frame to shield away defenders.

Negatives: Used more as a rotational tight end for Notre Dame rather than a consistent starter. Must improve his route running.

Analysis: Tremble displayed flashes of being a complete tight end last season, dominating as a blocker and coming up with big plays as a pass catcher. He’s a tough, athletic, and grind-it-out tight end, with a large upside, but he may need time before he’s truly ready to be a starter at the next level.