From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Mississippi State TE Seydou Traore.
No. 8 Seydou Traore/TE Mississippi State – 6036, 244 pounds (Redshirt Senior)
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Seydou Traore 6036/244 9 5/8 33 1/8 80 3/8
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.65 1.65 4.38 7.09
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
10’07” 40 25
* Pro Day results
The Good
-Reliable hands
-Can create after the catch
-Lead blocking
-Finds space against zone
-Versatile
-Separates well at top of route
The Bad
-Route running needs improvement
-Needs work playing out of structure
-Doesn’t always sell routes on run
-Pass blocking could improve
-Limited football experience
Stats
Career: 48 games, 131 receptions, 1,482 yards, 10 touchdowns
2025: 13 games, 35 receptions, 369 yards, five touchdowns, 215 yards after catch
Pro Football Focus: 2,102 career snaps, 61.0 overall grade in 2025
High School: 26 receptions, 433 yards, three touchdowns
Injury History
-Left knee surgery following 2024 season
Bio
-DOB: Aug. 22, 2002 (23 years old)
-Born in France, grew up in London
-Was a standout soccer goalie before transitioning to football
-Played 9-on-9 football at NFL Academy in London
-Eligible for roster exemption through International Player Pathway
-Played one season of 11-on-11 football at Clearwater Academy International
-Moved to America for chance to play college football
-Three-star prospect who initially committed to Arkansas State
-Led Arkansas State in receiving with 655 yards in 2022
-All-Sun Belt first-team selection and Honorable Mention All-American in 2022
-Transferred to Colorado but left after spring practice to transfer to Mississippi State
-Sat out 2023 season due to transfer rules
-Converted wide receiver
-2026 East-West Shrine Bowl participant
-2025 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
-Nickname is Ziko
-Graduated in 2024 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies
Tape Breakdown
Traore is still a little raw due to his limited football experience, but he does a lot of things really well. For one, his hands are an asset, as he had just one drop in 2025. It’s rare for a player with his lack of experience to have the ball control he does. His one drop in 2025 came on just a simple concentration lapse.
He made up for it later in the game with an impressive touchdown catch off a tipped pass, showing good concentration to hone in on the ball and make a play.
Traore lined up often as an H-back, and he showed off his blocking chops when he was a lead blocker.
He also has the speed to be a deep threat. He only had three plays of 20+ yards in 2025, though that was more a product of Mississippi State’s offense. Here, he gets separation deep, but the ball is overthrown.
There are a few areas where Traore can improve. For one, he needs to do a better job playing in the scramble drill and out of structure. He’s open enough for a target and a potential touchdown here. But while running his route, he takes his eyes off the quarterback and slows down, leading to a throwaway.
I’d also like to see him do a better job selling his route when he’s lined up wide on a run play. He jogs off the line here to block his man, never truly making the defense think it could be a pass play (in this instance, the play was blown up anyway). It’s a small thing but still an area where he could improve.
He does a good job settling in and finding the soft spots in coverage.
And despite his lack of explosive plays, he’s still a weapon after the catch.
Conclusion
Traore earned a lot of praise from his coaches for his work ethic and leadership, and that leads me to believe he can be coached up at the next level. His raw talent is clear and his versatility is intriguing. He played H-back last season and also lined up as a big slot. His receiver background shows with his strong hands, ability to play through contact and run-after ability. Given that he as an IPP player and eligible for a roster exemption, I think someone is going to draft Traore, and it has the chance to be a really solid selection.
My NFL comparison is Gerald Everett.
NFL Draft Projection: Mid-Late Day 3
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 7.1 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 6.4-7.6Games Watched: at Texas A&M (2025), vs. Texas (2025), vs. Tennessee (2025), at Arkansas (2025), 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl
Recommended for you