FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Stanford TE Sam Roush.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Sam Roush
Sam Roush (TE – Stanford)
6-foot-5 | 260 Pounds
Background
Has been starting for the Cardinals for the past three seasons, with increasing output each year. Caught 28-288-0 (10.3) in 2023, 40-334-2 (8.4) in 2024, and 49-545-2 (11.1) in 2025. Has pro bloodlines: two uncles, Merlin and Orrin Olsen, and grandfather, Phil Olsen, also played in the league.
Positives
Three-year starter with nice size for the position, typically lining up as an H-back, with some inline and slot snaps mixed in. Shows impressive competitiveness and effort through the whistle as a blocker. Able to work across the formation and crack/wall off defenders in backside pursuit. Flashes the ability to block with form, bending at the knees with a nice base and pretty good extension. Has been a pretty important part of his team’s passing attack, with above-average athleticism for the position and a role that, despite typically getting the ball underneath, was a bit more expansive than some of his peers in the class. Smooth accelerator with solid flexibility, good hip sink, clean footwork at the top of the route and a bit of explosiveness at the route stem. Uses his hands well to deal with physicality and defenders sitting in off coverage. Does a nice job of navigating through congestion as a route-runner against zone coverage. Flashes the ability to pluck the ball away from his frame. Shows a bit of creativity as a runner after the catch, and that’s where about half of his yardage comes from.
Negatives
Can struggle to hold the point a bit more than expected, given his solid bulk. Balance is an issue too frequently, and ends up on the ground more often than usual. Has a frequent tendency to lower his head into contact, leading to whiffs. Passing-game usage has volume, but is typically used as a safety valve on delayed releases, etc. Has had some trouble with drops and doesn’t look like the most natural hands-catcher; has thirteen against 119 career catches, and a concerning seven versus 49 catches this past year. Doesn’t do the best job of using his frame to prevent defenders from having a chance to make a play on the ball, and hasn’t been the most effective in contested-catch situations or in the red zone. Cut down on penalties this past year, but was flagged six times in 2024.
Summary
A well-built tight end who’s been a pretty high-volume target in the Cardinal offense, with smooth movement skills, some burst at the route stem, and the ability to catch balls away from his frame. However, there’s a lot of inconsistency here as well; drops were an issue this past year, but perhaps most concerning, he has frequent trouble with balance as a blocker, leading to too many whiffs. There’s pretty nice upside here as long as he continues to hone his craft, especially in the run game, so look for him to be in that third-day mix, even in a deep class.
Projection: Round 6
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