Jesper

Horsted

The Raiders also re-signed offensive tackle Brandon Parker. Horsted caught three passes in 2022 while playing a reserve role at tight end. He did, however, make a splash on special teams. Horsted pitched in for 190 special teams snaps and four tackles.

One of the weakest secondaries is getting even thinner mid-game. Averett went down with the toe injury in the first half and was listed as queisotnable. He was then ruled out in the third quarter. The Raiders’ announced backup tight end Jesper Horsted was out with a concussion at the same time.

The Bears also re-signed C Sam Mustipher and OG Lachavious Simmons to one-year deals, as all three were exclusive rights free agents. Both of Horsted’s catches last season went for touchdowns. He’ll be back to compete for one of the jobs behind Cole Kmet.

Horsted and someone named J.P. Holtz were ripping chunk gains in the middle of the Cowboys’ Leighton Vander Esch-less defense. Horsted has a catch in three straight games, including a Week 13 touchdown. That is still not enough to put him on the TE2 radar.

In addition to having as good of name as any prospect in this class, Horsted put up monster numbers with 92 catches for 1,226 yards and 14 scores as a junior and a 72/1047/13 line in 2018. Ledyard notes that Horsted is “big and slow” (6'4/215), but that size helps him box out defenders and make adjustments on the ball. “I think he would be best suited to gain a little more weight and try to make the switch to tight end,” Ledyard writes. “He has clear ball skills and the frame for the position, but his ability to block and run crisp routes will be called into question.”

Horsted has been a very productive player for the Tigers over the last two years; following up a ridiculous 92/1,226/14 junior year with 72 catches for 1,047 yards and 13 scores in his senior year. At 6-foot-4, 225-pounds; Horsted is sure to intrigue scouts with his size and production, and he’s also been timed in the 4.5 second range in the 40-yard dash, so he’s certainly not slow. He’ll have a chance to show he can translate his athleticism and production, and we’re very intrigued to see how he looks during the practices and game.

Horsted was a beast in 2017, with 92 catches and 14 touchdowns while going for 1,226 yards. He’s been excellent in 2018 as well, as Pauline notes, and he made 13 catches and scored twice against Brown on Saturday. “I fully expect to see Horsted at the Shrine Game and possibly the Senior Bowl,” writes Pauline. “If he tests well before April he will undoubtedly land somewhere in day three of the draft.” Pauline notes that he’s been timed in the 4.5 second range in the 40-yard dash, so there’s a real chance that he will test well enough to do just that; especially considering his 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame.