Former Gopher Matt Spaeth, selected in December as the nation’s best college tight end, will be a third or fourth round pick in next week’s NFL draft, according to a former pro coach. “He’s not going to be a first round pick,” the source said. “He’s not a dynamic (tight end), not a real speed guy. Solid (player) but not great.”
Spaeth, winner of the John Mackey award in December, told Sports Headliners he “has no idea” where he will be drafted. He doesn’t “read any of this Internet stuff, I don’t look at any of the articles in magazines. I don’t listen to anybody because you never know.”
Spaeth said he feels “fortunate” to be a potential early round pick. The first three rounds of the NFL draft are Saturday, April 28, with the additional rounds the next day.
Spaeth is revered at the University. He was a team leader who continued playing last season even with a severe shoulder injury. His blocking and pass catching helped the Gophers make a late season push to the Insight Bowl. Well liked among coaches and players, Spaeth earned a degree in marketing in December and has interest in a sports marketing career.
The shoulder injury is healed after slowing preparations earlier this year for the draft. The 6-foot-7, 265-pound Spaeth has had “visits” or workouts with four NFL teams. One was the Vikings but he declined to name the others. In preparation for the draft he’s been timed at 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash. “I was happy with a 4.8 considering I hadn’t worked out in a long time and I had four weeks to prepare to work out,” he said.
Spaeth said the suggestion hasn’t been made but he wouldn’t be against moving to another position such as offensive tackle. “If I was on a team that wanted me to do it and needed me to do it, yeah, sure,” he said.
With his ability to make difficult catches and block, Spaeth will draw attention in the draft and he’s not particular what team chooses him. “You know what, I will play for anybody that wants me,” he said. “I have no real preference. Obviously the Vikings, being a hometown kid, that would be fun but really any team I will play for.”
Spaeth was all-Big Ten both his junior and senior seasons. He was selected as the Gophers’ Most Valuable Player last season. He is Minnesota’s all-time leader among tight ends in career receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,293), surpassing former Gopher Ben Utecht in both categories. He also ranks ninth all-time in career receiving touchdowns with 12.