Dan Vitale NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Buccaneers Rookie

POSITIVES

One of the most enjoyable players in all of college football to scout, Dan Vitale is an athletic freak. He wowed at the combine with 4.6 speed and 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press but then had everyone going crazy with a 38 ½-inch vertical jump. His 4.12-second short shuttle was also an eye-opener.

That type of athleticism opens doors for what Vitale can be in the NFL. He's athletic enough to run the ball in short-yardage and goal-line situations and smart enough to handle blocking assignments in the backfield or as a lead blocker in the run game.

With 135 receptions during his career at Northwestern, Vitale is a natural to be used in the passing game. He can take swing passes and turn them into big plays with the footwork, quickness and power to run over cornerbacks on the edge. He'll sell a play-action fake and make himself a big target in front of linebackers over the middle of the field.

Positional versatility will be a huge sell for Vitale, who can play in a single-back offense, at fullback and at H-back and be a star on special teams.

NEGATIVES

Vitale may be a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none. He was moved around often enough at Northwestern that he never developed a go-to skill set at any one area. As a lead blocker, he has to get stronger and add bulk to secure blocks against linebackers with strength and not just force.

With the size of a big running back but the foot speed of a fullback, Vitale may be too much of a tweener to have an active role in the pros.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 239 lbs.

40 Time: 4.60s

3-Cone: 7.12s

Short Shuttle: 4.12s

PRO COMPARISON: Kyle Juszczyk, Baltimore Ravens
FINAL GRADE: 5.40/9.00 (Round 7—Backup Caliber)