Seydou Traore — Scouting Report

Position: TE | School: Mississippi State | Class: Senior (SR) | Draft: 2026

The Short Version

Seydou Traore is a long-strider with a legitimate receiving profile — a 6'4", 230-lb tight end who Mississippi State deployed almost exclusively in detached, wide receiver-type alignments, creating size-speed mismatches against defensive backs throughout the 2024 season. The case for him is straightforward: elite frame for a move TE, smooth athlete, and a coaching staff willing to get him into open space where his size advantage is maximized. The case against is just as clear: 230 pounds is light for an every-down tight end, blocking reps against SEC defensive ends were nearly invisible in the film reviewed, and 34 catches in a full season against SEC competition leaves real questions about target volume and whether he can command consistent looks at the next level.

Measurables & Background

| Attribute | Value |

|-----------|-------|

| Height | 6'4" |

| Weight | 230 lbs |

| Class | Senior (SR) |

| School | Mississippi State |

| Conference | SEC |

| 2024 Stats | 34 rec / 361 yds / 1 TD |

| YPR | 10.6 |

Film Sources Reviewed

| Source | Frames | Key Content |

|--------|--------|-------------|

| 0 For The Season (Jason McGensy) — Seydou Traore - TE Mississippi State | 2026 NFL Draft Names to Know | 55 frames | Title card intro, Mississippi State vs. #5 Georgia (2024) game film — multiple drives from 2nd quarter through 4th quarter |

What The Film Shows

Route Running — **B / 6.8**

The most encouraging part of this tape. Against a top-5 Georgia defense, Mississippi State consistently aligned Traore in detached wide and slot positions, and the film shows why — he can win off the line. His release is clean and upright, his stride is long and fluid, and he doesn't telegraph his routes with obvious footwork telegraphing direction changes. In multiple frames across the 2nd and 4th quarter sequences (highlights_010, highlights_015, highlights_037, highlights_050), Traore is identifiable running intermediate-depth patterns with enough separation to be a viable throw. He shows comfort in a split-end/slot hybrid role, which is the most valuable usage for this body type in modern NFL offenses. The concern is route tree depth — all the routes shown are shorter-to-intermediate breaks, verticals, or sideline-oriented patterns. No evidence of inside crossing routes or option routes from the film reviewed. For a player this size to reach his ceiling, he'll need a full NFL route tree.

Frame citations: highlights_010, highlights_015, highlights_016, highlights_037, highlights_047, highlights_048, highlights_049, highlights_050

Athleticism & Speed — **B+ / 7.2**

The athleticism jumps off the tape even from wide broadcast angles, which is a good sign. Traore covers ground with long, efficient strides that belie his size. On the 4th-and-2 sequence late in the game (highlights_047–050), he releases cleanly from a wide alignment and gets vertical quickly — his acceleration phase is smooth, not labored. He doesn't look like a guy working against his own weight. The 10.6 yards-per-reception average in 2024 suggests he's not just being used underneath as a dump-off check — he's getting into intermediate and secondary zones. For a 6'4", 230-lb player, the body movement is impressive. He needs to add functional weight without losing quickness; right now he runs more like a large slot receiver than a traditional TE, which at 230 lbs makes sense. Combine numbers will be critical — if he runs a 4.55 or better, this grade climbs significantly.

Frame citations: highlights_010, highlights_013, highlights_014, highlights_037, highlights_049, highlights_050

Hands & Catching — **B- / 6.5**

Limited direct evidence of catch mechanics from the film, largely because the broadcast angles are wide and the frames don't freeze on clean isolated catch moments. What is visible: Traore is consistently a viable target when the ball goes in his direction, and there are no obvious drop sequences visible in the clips reviewed. The 34/361/1 stat line doesn't suggest a chronic drop problem. From a pure mechanics standpoint, his wide alignment creates situations where he catches away from his frame with space — the type of catches that transition well to the NFL. The concern here is volume: 34 receptions in an SEC season is thin, and Mississippi State's offense struggled (they were 1-4 when this Georgia film was shot). Without more volume, it's hard to confidently grade his hands. He gets a moderate grade with a wide confidence interval.

Frame citations: highlights_016, highlights_049, highlights_051

YAC & After Contact — **B- / 6.3**

Hard to fully evaluate from this film package, but there are encouraging signs. On the 4th-quarter drive sequences (highlights_048–051), after the catch there's movement downfield consistent with a player willing to fight for yards and not going down easy at first contact. His size at 6'4" means he should be a physical presence in the open field. However, the 10.6 YPR suggests the offense isn't getting him many chunk plays after the catch — if he were consistently breaking tackles and adding yards, that number would be higher. At 230 lbs, he may not yet have the mass to regularly drive defenders backward. This is an area where functional strength gains could change the projection significantly. The athletic profile suggests the potential is there for strong YAC numbers in the NFL; it's just not yet fully on display in these clips.

Frame citations: highlights_049, highlights_050, highlights_051

Blocking — **C / 5.0**

This is the defining question mark and the biggest risk in this evaluation. In 55 frames of game film from a Mississippi State vs. Georgia game — including multiple short-yardage situations including 3rd-and-1 and 4th-and-2 — Traore was never deployed as an in-line blocking tight end. Not once. Mississippi State put him in wide receiver alignments in their short-yardage packages, which tells you one of two things: either he's not trusted as a blocker yet, or the scheme simply doesn't ask TEs to block in-line. Either interpretation is concerning for NFL teams who want a dual-threat TE at the second and third tight end spots. There are brief glimpses on running plays where Traore appears to contribute as a downfield blocker or seal man (highlights_033, highlights_034), but the in-line stuff against SEC defensive ends is simply not there in this sample. At 230 lbs, the blocking profile needs significant development and added weight to project as NFL-viable. He'll be a liability as a blocker unless he adds 10-15 pounds of functional strength.

Frame citations: highlights_033, highlights_034 (limited)

Scheme Fit — **B / 6.7**

This is actually one of the more interesting parts of the profile. Traore projects beautifully into the modern NFL's preferred usage of tight ends as movable pieces — think the slot role, the detached Y, the "chess piece" alignment that forces defensive coordinators to declare their coverage structure. The way Mississippi State deployed him tells you the NFL story: he's a guy you flex wide against linebackers, put in the slot against safeties, and route off the formation to create pre-snap mismatches. He fits schemes that emphasize 11 and 10 personnel, motion, and concept-based offense. The Kyle Shanahan tree, Sean McVay-influenced offenses, and any team that runs a lot of 2x2 sets with a movable TE could maximally deploy him. He does NOT fit as a traditional 2-TE heavy formation blocker — he's simply not built or deployed that way. Dynasty owners should target him in offenses that run spread/RPO concepts.

Strengths Summary

Concerns & Risks

NFL Comp

Primary Comp: Noah Gray, Kansas City Chiefs (Year 3-4 upside)

Gray was a developmental TE who came out of Duke with a receiving-first profile, similar weight (230ish), and found his role as a complementary flex TE in the Kelce era. Traore has more athletic upside than Gray but a similarly thin blocking profile. The Traore ceiling is Gray as a quality #2 TE who earns a role in the passing game, with the floor being an exclusive practice squad/TE3 role if blocking doesn't develop.

Secondary Comp (upside): Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears

Kmet came out of Notre Dame with a big frame (6'4", 262 lbs) and a receiving-first college profile. He took time to develop but has become a productive NFL starter with 65+ catch upside. Traore has similar size and movement quality but needs to add the weight Kmet brought to the table. If Traore can reach 245-250 lbs with his current athleticism intact, the Kmet comp becomes more realistic. This is the bull case.

Bottom Line

Seydou Traore is a legitimate 2026 draft prospect with a real NFL receiving archetype — a big, smooth athlete who can be used as a chess piece against smaller defensive backs in the modern NFL passing game. The athleticism is there, the frame is there, and the schematic fit in the right offense is obvious. The legitimate concerns — blocking deficiency, weight, thin production — keep him out of early-round conversation for now, but a strong combine showing (sub-4.55 with good explosion numbers) and improvement in 2025 could move him into Day 2 territory quickly. Dynasty managers should monitor his weight at the combine and watch which NFL team selects him — scheme fit will determine whether this is a career starter or a roster-bubble TE.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 63/100

Projected Pick: R4, Pick 120-145

Film Score: 63 / 100

Seydou Traore Scouting Report - Scout 2

The Short Version

Traore's a big-bodied inline bruiser masquerading as a receiving threat—stats scream checkdown merchant, film confirms he's a willing blocker who telegraphs routes from space. Contrarian take: Forget the "seam-stretcher" hype; he's a Day 3 special teamer who sticks as TE2 blocker in run-heavy schemes, not a fantasy darling.

Measurables & Background

| Height | 6'4" |

| Weight | 230 lbs |

| Class | Senior |

| Age | 23 |

| 2024 Stats | 34 rec, 361 yds, 1 TD (10.6 YPC) |

| Background | French-born transfer to Mississippi State, raw athlete with SEC blocking tape but pedestrian production in pass game. No combine/pro day data yet; projects average tester.

Film Sources

| Source | Description | Frames |

|--------|-------------|--------|

| 0 For The Season (Jason McGensy) — Seydou Traore - TE Mississippi State \| 2026 NFL Draft Names to Know (1:02) | Highlight reel focusing on blocks and limited routes vs Liberty, Georgia, others | 55 (highlights_001-055) |

Film Analysis

Limited snaps show Traore (#6 maroon) mostly inline/edge blocking in run-heavy sets. Receiving reps are basic outs/seams with no separation flash. Frames capture static moments—good pad level in blocks, stiff hips on breaks.

Strengths

Concerns

Dynasty Outlook

Year 1: ST/backup blocker (20-30% snaps). Year 2: TE2 in run-first offenses (Chiefs/Bills type). Year 3: Flex TE3 if develops hands/YAC. Avoid in drafts pre-RD4; stash in devy only.

NFL Comp

Bottom Line

Traore's a plug-and-play blocker for physical teams, but don't buy the "move" TE smoke—mid-round reach at best. Pass unless you need trenches depth.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 72/100

Projected Pick: R4, Pick 100-130

Film Score: 72 / 100