Eagles Draft Profile: South Alabama TE Wes Saxton

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Nov 16, 2013; Annapolis, MD, USA; South Alabama Jaguars tight end Wes Saxton (13) attempts to avoid Navy Midshipmen linebacker Chris Johnson (46) following a catch at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

When you think of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ needs heading into the 2015 NFL Draft, tight end is likely at the bottom of the list. They already have a budding star at the position in Zach Ertz and steady veteran Brent Celek. But remember when they initially signed James Casey to be a “swiss army knife” on offense? Well unless that meant a special teams ace and doing practically nothing on offense, then yeah, he’s a swiss army knife.

Casey is set to make $4 million next season and can be cut by the team without losing any money. That seems like a very possible scenario and the team would only have former undrafted free agent Trey Burton left as their third tight end. So it may not be a bad idea for the team to take a look at a real “do-it-all” tight end later on in the draft.

South Alabama tight end Wes Saxton could be exactly what the team is looking for if they let Casey go. At 6-4, 243 lbs., Saxton has good size for the position. But he isn’t your ordinary tight end, he’s spent time at a multitude of positions throughout his career. In high school, Saxton played both tight end and wide receiver. Then in college, he lined up as a fullback, in-line tight end and in the slot as well. That experience at so many different positions will certainly help Saxton get on the field somehow, some way at the next level.

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College Career

Wes Saxton started his college career at Itawamba Community College in 2011 where he finished his freshman season with 10 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. The following season, Saxton transferred to South Alabama where he would finish out his college career. As a sophmore in 2012, Saxton played in every game including starting six games and finished the season with 26 receptions for 336 yards.

As a junior in 2013, Saxton put his name on draft radars everywhere after finishing the season with 50 receptions for 635 yards while starting all 12 games. He ranked in the top five throughout the nation in both receptions and receiving yards for tight ends while also being named first-team all-Sun Belt Conference. Saxton’s production took a significant dip for his senior year in 2014 due to injuries and a change in offensive scheme. He finished the season with just 20 receptions for 155 yards, but was still invited to East-West Shrine Game, it was the chance Saxton needed to show off his skills to NFL scouts and representatives.

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