NFL Draft
3/31/25
4 min read
CJ Dippre 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Alabama Crimson Tide TE
Height: 6047 (verified)
Weight: 256lbs (verified)
Year: Senior
Pro Comparison: Coby Fleener
Scouting Overview
Alabama Crimson Tide tight end CJ Dippre projects as a depth tight end at the NFL level. Dippre is a functional blocker in the run game and in pass protection while offering modest upside as a singles hitter in the passing game against zone coverage.
Dippre lacks a great deal of appeal to defeat man coverage as a route runner and has some lapses of ball skills when targeted, but should offer the right floor to be a TE2 or TE3 as a team’s backup Y-tight end.
2025 NFL Combine Results
TBD
Positives
- Dense, sturdy build offers good functional strength as an in-line run blocker and pass protector
- Big-bodied, catch-point presence makes him difficult to play around to dislodge the football
- Surprisingly effective burst in linear foot races
Negatives
- Struggled to secure passes that came in hot off his numbers at times
- Lacks wiggle and deception as a route runner
- Shows some soft edges as a blocker and lets defenders catch his hip too easily at times
Background
Dippre is from Scranton, PA, and played high school football at Lakeland HS. There, he played quarterback and tight end while also throwing discus. He was a 3-star recruit (247 Sports) at the prep level and enrolled at Maryland as one of the top 25 recruits from the state of Pennsylvania.
At Maryland, Dippre played in 13 games as a true freshman, earning one start. He claimed a full-time starting role for the Terps in 2022, posting 30 receptions for over 300 yards and three scores. He entered the transfer portal after the 2022 season and, as a 4-star transfer (247 Sports), landed with the Crimson Tide.
Dippre started 24 of his 27 games played with Alabama as the primary in-line player and, upon completion of his college eligibility, accepted an invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Tale Of The Tape
Dippre is a traditional in-line tight end who will offer positive contributions as a blocker and add-on player to the run game. He is athletic enough to warrant some opportunities as a basic outlet and checkdown in the passing game, but his skill set does not appear to make him a featured option.
Dippre has sufficient hands but lacks the ideal ball skills to be a big-bodied target. Playing outside of his frame has created some frustrating misplays on the football. He lacks wiggle and explosiveness at the top of his breaks. With his explosiveness and ability to gain steam, Dippre is much more of a linear athlete.
He is a bit of a downhill locomotive after the catch. Dippre runs hard behind his pads and creates business decisions for smaller defenders in the open field. When defenders decide to try to cut him low, he’s shown a consistent ability to go up and over the top with a surprising hurdle.
As a blocker, Dippre is strong and controlled at the point of attack. He shows sufficient reach and punch power to create first-contact wins, but his sustainability on blocks is less dynamic. Dippre doesn’t consistently drive and create wash or space. His ability to stay attached can be compromised by framing, and defenders can press off of his blocks due to his modest grip strength and foot activity.
Dippre serves as a sufficient add-on to protection schemes and should be fine if given extra help in 7-man schemes. He has some nice moments on play-action and boot action on the edges before uncovering as an underneath outlet.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Dippre projects as a backup Y-tight end at the NFL level. He’ll take space that’s made available against zone coverage and is a capable in-line player as a blocker.
His ability to claim a more prominent role in the NFL will come from either finding a more dominant impact on the passing game or playing with more stickiness at the point of attack.
Grade: 68.50/100.00, Seventh Round Value
Big Board Rank: 256
Position Rank: TE16
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