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New Orleans Saints Undrafted Rookie Profile: Jack Tabb, TE, UNC

By Andrew Schuster

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The New Orleans Saints continued their role as a major playmaker in the undrafted free agent market, signing 13 rookies to deals following the 2015 NFL Draft.  Today, we highlight North Carolina Tarheels tight end Jack Tabb, a man with a true shot at the roster.

While Josh Hill is the man for the starting job at the moment, the departure of Jimmy Graham still presents holes at the tight end position, especially after the Saints avoided drafting one.  New Orleans is currently looking at depth consisting of Hill, Benjamin Watson and Orson Charles.

Jack Tabb is one of two undrafted free agent tight ends alongside New Hampshire’s Harold Spears, so both have an opportunity to make the the final 53-man roster when the trimming is completed.

A Red Bank, New Jersey native, Tabb was actually born in Japan and lived in Tennessee, Hawaii, Korea and Indiana before moving to Jersey.  He was ranked the No. 11 tight end in the country by ESPNU out of Red Bank Catholic High School.  He was considered the No. 25 tight end by Scout.com and rated the No. 35 tight end in the country and the No. 17 prospect in New Jersey by Rivals.com.

A communication studies major whose dream job was once to work on Wall Street, Jack Tabb brings an intelligence to the NFL.   However, it’s his skill set the New Orleans Saints are hoping to see out on the field.  Tabb was not the most productive catching tight end in college, but he did excel in the blocking game.

From GoHeels.com:

"2014 – Senior SeasonSenior tight end started all 12 games and caught 21 passes for 206 yards and two scores • Had touchdown receptions against Liberty and East Carolina • Finished with three catches on five occasions – Liberty, East Carolina, Clemson, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech • His 22-yard reception at Virginia was a season long • Finished with a season-best 34 receiving yards in the win over Georgia Tech.2013 – Junior SeasonAppeared in 11 games at tight end and on special teams and started seven on offense • Also played some linebacker and started on defense at Virginia Tech • Finished with seven catches for 119 yards and 11 tackles • Recorded his first touchdown of the season on a 3-yard catch from Marquise Williams in the second quarter • Had two catches for a season-high 55 yards against Old Dominion • Had an 11-yard reception at Pitt • Caught two passes for 39 yards and had three tackles in the win over Middle Tennessee • Started at No. 6 South Carolina in the season opener and caught an 11-yard pass • Started working at middle linebacker during fall camp and will see time on both sides of the ball."

From DraftInsider.net:

"Positive: Marginally productive tight end with average size/speed numbers. Bends his knees, blocks with leverage and strong at the point. Turns defenders off the line and anchors in pass protection. Quickly gets into blocks and explosive at the point. Effective special teams player who gives effort on coverage units. Flashes the ability to make the difficult catch in traffic.Negative: Rarely catches the ball cleanly. Drops a lot of catchable throws. Lacks the ability to stretch the seam.Analysis: Tabb was a solid college tight end who stood out as a blocker but lacks the size and pass catching skill to make it out of camp this summer."

The 6-foot-3, 244 pound Tabb will certainly have his work cut out for him.  His biggest competition will come from Spears and Charles — the fight for the third spot behind Hill and Watson should be a heated battle.  However, Tabb must become more effective in the catching department in order to have a shot.  Rookie minicamp kicks off Friday, May 15.

Next: Saints UDFA Profile: TE Harold Spears

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