Breaking down everything you need to know about Patriots third round pick Dalton Keene.
Dalton Keene, TE: Third Round,101st overall
Height: 6-4
Weight: 251 lbs
Born: 4/14/1999
College: Virginia Tech
Hometown: Littleton, Colo.
Strengths: Athletic and versatile, lined up all over Virginia Tech's offense, including inline, split out wide and in the backfield. …Surprising speed and fluidity with the ball in his hands. …Hands-catcher who looks comfortable catching the ball. …Toughness shows up on film and off the field. …Good NFL size and determination in blocking game. …Consistent smart play, no penalties in 2019. …Durable, started 38-straight games. …Plays with infectious energy, a team favorite. …Plus special teams ability.
Weaknesses: Will need to improve technique for blocking at the NFL level. …Route running will need refinement to create NFL separation. …Under-productive in college, just 1.9 targets-per-game, 77.6 percent of receiver yards came after the catch. …Frame might be already maxxed out. … Could struggle against NFL power at the point of attack.
Personal: Had 11 rushing attempts for 33 yards as a junior at Virginia Tech. …2018 Honorable Mention All-ACC. … Grew up in Littleton Colorado where he was named All-State as a running back, rushing for 1,175 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior. …Father Wes was a Division 1 standout at Murray State. …Brother Trey played football and baseball for Northern Colorado. …Twitter handle is @DaltonKeene18.
Comparable NFL player: Jacob Hollister: Keene possesses better size to become a fully rounded tight end, but has the movement skills of an H-back like Hollister who can be moved around the interior of the formation.
By the Numbers
| Year | G | REC. | YARDS | PER/REC. | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 13 | 10 | 167 | 16.7 | 0 |
| 2018 | 13 | 28 | 341 | 12.2 | 3 |
| 2019 | 13 | 21 | 240 | 11.4 | 5 |
| TOTALS | 39 | 59 | 748 | 12.7 | 8 |
Workout Numbers
| Column 1 | Keene | Combine avg. for pos. |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6-4 | 6-4 |
| Weight | 253 | 251 |
| 40 Yards | 4.71 | 4.78 |
| Bench (225) | 21 | 19 |
| Vertical Jump | 34.0 | 36.2 |
| Long Jump | 125.0 | 117.1 |
| Shuttle | 4.19 | 4.40 |
| Cone | 7.07 | 7.20 |
What They're Saying...
NFL.com: Swiss Army Knife versatility performing in-line, as a wingback, from the slot, as a fullback, and even as a personal protector in pass protection. He's lean but well-defined and his play speed and competitiveness are both a plus.
Dane Brugler/The Athletic: Overall, Keene doesn't have a difference-making trait, but his athletic ability, competitive nature and roster flexibility are appealing traits, projecting as a versatile H-Back option.
