NFL Draft
1/26/25
6 min read
Luke Lachey 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Iowa Hawkeyes TE
Height: 6053 (verified)
Weight: 245lbs (verified)
Year: Fifth-Year Senior
Pro Comparison: Tommy Sweeney
Scouting Overview
Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey projects as a depth player at the NFL level. Lachey saw no favors by playing in the Hawkeyes' run-centric offense throughout the course of his career, and he likely would be a more accomplished pass catcher in any other offense.
However, his traits have been successfully implemented as a zone buster and slide flat target on Iowa’s boot action play-action passing game. He’s illustrated some modest alignment flexibility as an in-line blocker, an H-back offset alignment, or flexed into a tight alignment in the slot. He’s got enough athleticism to win with angles, but his consistency of sustained blocks is going to be a blockade he’ll need to navigate in the pros if he’s to warrant consistent playing time.
2025 NFL Combine Results
TBD
Positives
- Illustrates soft hands and good concentration at the catch point
- Groomed for the NFL responsibilities as a tight end while playing in a pro-style offense at Iowa
- Has a large catch radius to secure passes that test his general vicinity
Negatives
- Does not illustrate the punch power or latch ability to sustain blocks consistently
- Lacks a dynamic athletic profile to stand out in any phase of the position
- Shows a lack of creativity both with the top of routes and with the ball in his hands as an athlete
Background
Lachey is from Columbus, OH, and played high school football for Grandview HS. Lachey’s father, Jim, played college football as an offensive tackle at Ohio State and was the No. 12 overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Jim went on to make three Pro Bowls and was a three-time First Team All-Pro during a stint with Washington in the early 1990s. Luke looks to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Lachey was a 4-year letterman and two-way talent for Grandview HS, playing basketball and participating in track. On the gridiron, he was a highly accomplished prep recruit who played wide receiver, tight end, and defensive back. He was rated as a 4-star tight end recruit (247 Sports) and accepted an offer from Iowa over programs such as Kentucky, LSU, Minnesota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Lachey redshirted in 2020 before seeing time in 13 contests in 2021 while posting three starts. He started another six games in 2022 across another 13 contests and appeared primed for a breakout in 2023. Lachey started all three games he played in that season before suffering a season-ending leg injury against Western Michigan. He returned in 2024 and was named a permanent Team Captain for the second consecutive season.
Lachey was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten for his play in 2024 and participated in the 2025 East/West Shrine Bowl.
Tale Of The Tape
Lachey’s background as a former wide receiver is evident in his playing profile. He’s got the hands of a natural pass catcher and illustrates a reliable catch radius for his quarterback, even on errant throws that will make him work extra hard for the football.
He doesn’t win with a lot of explosiveness downfield or at the top of breaks. His added mass is evident in his movement skills, and as such, he does not profile as a mismatch talent for the pro game. Instead, he’s a reliable underneath player who wins on stick routes, sit routes over the ball, hitches, and slide routes out of the backfield to build off of run action with bootlegs.
Lachey shows comfort through contact at the catch point and can be a chain mover underneath in the passing game if he’s afforded opportunities to touch the field, but he’s not likely to be a featured piece of any passing offense and teams that decide to focus on taking him away will likely be able to neutralize his production. However, he should have been a more prolific pass catcher at Iowa. The quarterback play left much to be desired, and Lachey saw some big plays left out of the field on designed tight end throwbacks and short-yardage heavy play-action due to underthrows.
This is not a creative player with the ball in his hands. He’ll gear down and try to cut back inside after the catch when working along the perimeter. He can successfully tug, pull, or fall forward for a few added hard yards with the ball in his hands. That said, he won't win a lot of foot races and lacks the ideal wiggle to be someone who breaks down head-up tackle challenges. He’s generally a one-speed talent, and his agility to sell routes at the top of the stem before working out of the break doesn’t create a lot of strain against man coverage.
As a blocker, Lachey would benefit greatly from finding better power through his hands at first contact. Too many of his punches don’t dictate terms, and he’s often jolted by catching a heavy set of hands from opposing players. He can be bubbled backward and disrupt the point of attack or otherwise spin off the frame of his defender and allow continued penetration to the football.
He lacks the raw power to uproot and displace against A-level defenders in the run game but is more consistent in mirroring and sealing defensive backs and corners on the edge. This should not be considered a consistently reliable element of his game without developing more control of the block.
Lachey was not often charged with taking reps in pass protection. His receiving profile was often called upon as an eligible, but he did not showcase anticipation for twists, stunts, games, and delayed pressures from depth. With such a limited resume here, he should be considered a blank-slate player in protection.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Lachey projects into a wide zone system as a developmental tight end. He’ll need to find his teeth as a run blocker and a pass protector throughout his rookie contract window to justify getting opportunities.
His passing game profile should be expected to be predominantly a check-down target underneath to bust up zone coverage.
Grade: 69.50/100.00, Sixth Round Value
Big Board Rank: TBD
Position Rank: TBD
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