When Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden watches film on Ted Bolser, he sees a productive tight end who could potentially contribute as a pass-catching threat in the red zone.
But perhaps what excites Gruden the most about Bolser is the passion with which he plays on special teams, which could be the Indiana product's specialty at the next level as he continues to improve upon other technical aspects of his game.
The Redskins selected Bolser with the 217th-overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
"I like his position flexibility, being able to move around, but really kind of stuck out — he runs down on kickoff like a war daddy," Gruden said Saturday with a smile.
One of the Redskins' major goals for the 2014 season is to improve their special teams unit, and Bolser, Gruden said, is just the type of player who can help with that.
"He is a fun guy to watch running down on kicks and obviously I've mentioned special teams on here a lot," Gruden said. "We were the 32nd-ranked team in every special team category and it was a major item for us in the draft, and Ted is a good special teams player as well as a tight end."
Bolser — who stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 257 pounds — said he came out of high school as a wide receiver before being converted to a tight end with the Hoosiers.
"Throughout my process at Indiana, I got a lot better at blocking, which a lot people like how I block, and they see my effort in every single play," Bolser said. "I play with a chip on my shoulder. I just go out there and try to do my best."
That love of the game is the exact key attribute Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said his staff looks for when evaluating potential draft prospects.
"Everybody (with the Redskins), they're just going to expect my full-out effort on every single play no matter whether it be on offense or on special teams," Bolser said. "I'm there. I'm coming there to compete and I'm ready to play right away, so they're going to get my effort and my heart on every single play."
NOTES ON THE SELECTION OF TED BOLSER:
· Bolser is the seventh selection of the Jay Gruden era and is the 41st selection by the Redskins under Executive Vice President/General Manager Bruce Allen.
· Bolser is the 477th selection made by the Redskins in the Common Draft era (since 1967) and the 57th seventh-round selection in that time frame. He is the 88th seventh-round selection by the Redskins all-time since the institution of the draft in 1936.
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With the No. 217 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected Ted Bolser of Indiana. Here's a gallery of his collegiate career.
NFL.com PROFILE:**
OVERVIEW
John Mackey Award semifinalist in 2013. Set IU TE career records with 117 receptions, 1,337 yards, 15 TDs. 2013: Honorable mention All-Big Ten. Back-to-back 2-plus TD games vs. Indiana State, Navy. 2012: Started all 12 games. Finished fourth on the team with 41 receptions. 2011: Played all 12 games, starting 6. Had 54 yds, 1 TD vs. Penn State. 2010: Played all 12 games, starting 7. Set school records in receptions, yards and TD for freshman TE. 2009: Redshirted. High School: No. 41 TE in nation (Rivals). 63 receptions, 845 yards, 11 TDs as senior in Ohio.
STRENGTHS
Good size and enough strength to fend off the jam. Catches outside his frame and adjusts to the ball. Has a wide catching radius and presents a big target.
BOTTOM LINE
Could battle for a roster spot as a short-area receiving target. Aligns in the backfield, in the slot and on the line, yet offers little as a blocker.
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