From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II.
#24 THOMAS FIDONE II, TE, NEBRASKA (rJR) – 6050, 243 lbs.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Thomas Fidone II | 6050/243 | 10 5/8 | 34 | 82 5/8 |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.70 | 1.57 | 4.29 | 7.01 | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 10’6” | 35.5 | N/A |
The Good
— Very good height, length, and hand size
— Played inline, on the wing and out wide
— Mostly targeted on short and intermediate levels
— Good route runner and solid creating space
— Very good hands and ability to adjust all around his frame
— Good hand strength and positioning in pass pro
— Good snap quickness, pad level and leg drive as a run blocker
— Agility to block on the move
— Blocks to the whistle, looks to pancake
The Bad
— Multiple knee injuries cost him two seasons
— Physical defenders can disrupt his routes
— Looked heavy-footed out of a 3-point stance
— Speed is not going to allow him to be consistently effective on deep level
— Ducks his head into his blocks
— Leans and lunges when blocking on the move
— Core strength is adequate and he can get twisted when blocking
— Hands get wide on the second level
Bio
— Career: 61 receptions, 633 yards, 4 TD
— 2024: 36 receptions, 373 yards
— Academic All-Big Ten (2022, 2023, 2024)
— Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2021, 2024) – student-athletes who demonstrate a passion for service and involvement
— Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2021) – players who demonstrate zeal and dedication for volunteering in the community
— 30 games/17 starts
— Knee injuries in 2021 (left ACL), 2022 (knee) caused missed seasons
— Countries top tight end recruit in 2021
— High school All-American and 2020 Sports Illustrated All-America first team.
— Represented Team Jack Foundation in a race to raise money for pediatric brain cancer
— Participated in MLK Day of Serving for the Lincoln Food Bank
— Birthday 9/20/2002 (22)
Tape Breakdown
Thomas Fidone II is a tight end with solid height, great arm length, and hand size. For the Cornhuskers, he lined up inline, in the slot, and on the wing. He was used primarily as a receiver on the short and intermediate levels.
As a receiver, he showed solid quickness in his release from a 3-point stance and good acceleration from a 2-point stance. He is a good route runner and can gain separation with manipulation and solid physicality out of his break. He has a solid hip drop on comeback routes and turns quickly to present a target for the quarterback. His hands and ability to adjust are very good, and he can take a hit and hold on. Just get it in his zip code, and he will make the catch.
After the catch, he is solid, adding yards.
In pass protection, he was good in his positioning and displayed strong hand strength to engage and latch on to rushers. His effort was very good, and he blocks to the whistle.
As a run blocker, he has good snap quickness, pad level, and leg drive. He was good at executing down and wham blocks, can seal off the backside edge, and showed good push on double teams. He has good agility to climb to the second level and was solid versus linebackers. Again, he blocks to the whistle, seems to enjoy the physical part of the position, and looks for pancakes.
On the move, he was solid on slide blocks, gap runs, and leading inside. On screens, he used good play strength and played under control versus defensive backs.
Here are some good examples of blocking on the move.
Physical defenders were able to slow him and even knock him down within routes. From a 3-point stance, there were times when he looked like he was very heavily footed. Didn’t really see him in contested catch situations with accurate throws. His speed will limit him to the deep level. He ducks his head and leans forward at the waist into the defender on all his blocks. His core strength is adequate, and he can get rag-dolled by some defenders. When blocking on the move, he will lunge and miss the block.
He is a little aggressive on the second level, and his hands will get outside the defender.
Conclusion
Overall, Fidone II has very good height, length, and hand size with solid weight. He was used primarily on the short and intermediate level and aligned inline, on the wing, and split out. He has very good hands, is solid after the catch, and is a good route runner. In pass protection, he displays good hand strength and effort. As a run blocker, he uses good pad level and leg drive to move defenders and plays to the whistle.
Areas to improve include adding core strength to help him as a blocker and within his routes. Keeping his head up, limiting the lunging on move blocks, and better hand placement on the second level will improve his game.
Fidone was highly touted coming out of high school, but two knee injuries took his first two seasons. His relative athletic score (RAS) was 9.49, tops among tight-end players. With his receiving ability and current skills as a blocker, he has the makings of a future number one tight end, but his knee stability will be a major question. He can be a number two initially, and with added strength and staying healthy, he can be a starter down the road.
For a player comp, I couldn’t find a player I really liked as a fit. I’ll say Tucker Kraft because their testing numbers were very similar. Both are plus when it comes to catching and adjusting to the ball, and they displayed good effort as blockers.
Projection: Day Three
Depot Draft Grade: 7.5 MED – Fourth Round (Potential Starter/Good Backup)
Games Watched: 2024 – Vs Colorado, Vs Illinois, At Indiana, At Ohio State, Vs Boston College
