Post by MGB01 on Jun 21, 2019 21:39:21 GMT -5
We continue our FA series by taking a look at tight ends
Kelvin Benjamin: The former NFL first round pick came to the XFL after shockingly being cut from his team midseason and taking an equally shocking minimum salary deal with the promise of a big payday on 2020 if he produced. Ten touchdowns, third in the league behind teammate Brice Butler and Brandon Coleman, say he's going to get it. Also, making the switch to tight end, his 713 yards were second to only George Kittle.
Prediction: Kansas City. Tight end has never been the Monarchs' most stable position, as they've had something of a revolving door over the last decade-plus. To be fair, most of it wasn't of their own making (especially in the case of Aaron Hernandez). Nonetheless they rectify it by locking up Benjamin and making good on Matt Nagy's promise as Benjamin, despite being second on the team to Butler in catches, yards, and touchdowns, has a strong argument for the being the team's top target, or at the minimum 1B.
Greg Olsen: ESPN and FOX are fighting over him to have on their broadcast teams, but one problem is that Olsen is committed to another go in 2020. Olsen had respectable numbers (34-391-3) in what is expected to be his only season in Carolina with his struggles staying healthy and that the Colonels were giving equal reps to first-round pick Ian Thomas.
Prediction: San Antonio. Apparently the Cowboys can't be the only team in Texas luring end-of-the-road tight ends away from the broadcast booth (or potentially in Olsen's case), and with the Lonestars minimizing the tight end in the Air Raid, Dallas is out. But the Stampede will be shopping for a veteran to pair with Chris Herndon, as Jeremy Sprinkle caught just 12 passes and the Stampede need veteran leadership after their end-of-season nosedive.
Ed Dickson: Then again, the Stampede had that with Dickson and let him go, as he signed a one-year deal with the Outlaws. Dickson's 59 catches was actually second on the team and should be a lower-tier priority to bring back.
Prediction: Las Vegas. Benjamin will be off the table, and the Outlaws probably wouldn't be too interested in Olsen, an uncertainty past 2020. So Dickson should be able to draw a two or three-year deal to return--he'll be 32 this summer so unlikely for them to do anything beyond that.
Nick O'Leary: O'Leary was continuing to progress as an emerging young tight end before a concussion ended his season in week 16. Minus that he might be right behind ex-Seminole teammate Benjamin on this list. He still finished second on the Ironmen in catches (41) and touchdowns (4).
Prediction: Orlando. After punting on bringing one homestater (Devonta Freeman) back two years ago, the Rage won't be so hesitant again. Three things at play here: the Rage went most of the season with just two tight ends, and with the expected exodus from the wideout room Kris Richard may be inclined to go back to a three-TE set; the continued struggles of Jake Butt to return to health; and the bizarre midseason incident with Ryan Griffin the week they played Kansas City, which displeased Richard greatly. Depending on how confident Richard is in Butt's recovery, O'Leary could be Griffin's replacement.
Darren Waller: Despite off-the-charts speed and athleticism, Waller was never able to put it together in his four seasons in Washington, although he did have a decent 21-198-2 line in 2017. Injuries and a PED suspension didn't help, and the fact that new D.C. boss Pep Hamilton, who would seemingly live for a weapon like Waller, isn't too inclined to bring him back is a bit of a red flag. But Waller also seems the type to thrive in a new surrounding.
Prediction: Las Vegas. Behind Dickson, the Outlaws' current TE2 is a former collegiate wideout (Thomas Duarte), so they double up with Waller, who could have a dual use as a big receiver, as the 6-5 Waller would easily standout in a WR corps where the tallest returnees are 6-2 (Deon Cain, Malachi Dupre
Kelvin Benjamin: The former NFL first round pick came to the XFL after shockingly being cut from his team midseason and taking an equally shocking minimum salary deal with the promise of a big payday on 2020 if he produced. Ten touchdowns, third in the league behind teammate Brice Butler and Brandon Coleman, say he's going to get it. Also, making the switch to tight end, his 713 yards were second to only George Kittle.
Prediction: Kansas City. Tight end has never been the Monarchs' most stable position, as they've had something of a revolving door over the last decade-plus. To be fair, most of it wasn't of their own making (especially in the case of Aaron Hernandez). Nonetheless they rectify it by locking up Benjamin and making good on Matt Nagy's promise as Benjamin, despite being second on the team to Butler in catches, yards, and touchdowns, has a strong argument for the being the team's top target, or at the minimum 1B.
Greg Olsen: ESPN and FOX are fighting over him to have on their broadcast teams, but one problem is that Olsen is committed to another go in 2020. Olsen had respectable numbers (34-391-3) in what is expected to be his only season in Carolina with his struggles staying healthy and that the Colonels were giving equal reps to first-round pick Ian Thomas.
Prediction: San Antonio. Apparently the Cowboys can't be the only team in Texas luring end-of-the-road tight ends away from the broadcast booth (or potentially in Olsen's case), and with the Lonestars minimizing the tight end in the Air Raid, Dallas is out. But the Stampede will be shopping for a veteran to pair with Chris Herndon, as Jeremy Sprinkle caught just 12 passes and the Stampede need veteran leadership after their end-of-season nosedive.
Ed Dickson: Then again, the Stampede had that with Dickson and let him go, as he signed a one-year deal with the Outlaws. Dickson's 59 catches was actually second on the team and should be a lower-tier priority to bring back.
Prediction: Las Vegas. Benjamin will be off the table, and the Outlaws probably wouldn't be too interested in Olsen, an uncertainty past 2020. So Dickson should be able to draw a two or three-year deal to return--he'll be 32 this summer so unlikely for them to do anything beyond that.
Nick O'Leary: O'Leary was continuing to progress as an emerging young tight end before a concussion ended his season in week 16. Minus that he might be right behind ex-Seminole teammate Benjamin on this list. He still finished second on the Ironmen in catches (41) and touchdowns (4).
Prediction: Orlando. After punting on bringing one homestater (Devonta Freeman) back two years ago, the Rage won't be so hesitant again. Three things at play here: the Rage went most of the season with just two tight ends, and with the expected exodus from the wideout room Kris Richard may be inclined to go back to a three-TE set; the continued struggles of Jake Butt to return to health; and the bizarre midseason incident with Ryan Griffin the week they played Kansas City, which displeased Richard greatly. Depending on how confident Richard is in Butt's recovery, O'Leary could be Griffin's replacement.
Darren Waller: Despite off-the-charts speed and athleticism, Waller was never able to put it together in his four seasons in Washington, although he did have a decent 21-198-2 line in 2017. Injuries and a PED suspension didn't help, and the fact that new D.C. boss Pep Hamilton, who would seemingly live for a weapon like Waller, isn't too inclined to bring him back is a bit of a red flag. But Waller also seems the type to thrive in a new surrounding.
Prediction: Las Vegas. Behind Dickson, the Outlaws' current TE2 is a former collegiate wideout (Thomas Duarte), so they double up with Waller, who could have a dual use as a big receiver, as the 6-5 Waller would easily standout in a WR corps where the tallest returnees are 6-2 (Deon Cain, Malachi Dupre