Post by MGB01 on Jun 30, 2019 10:46:15 GMT -5
We continue our draft series by looking at tight ends
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Foster Moreau, LSU: More of a traditional in-line tight end who is block-first. Is valuable in both pass and run blocking. Will fit on a team that already has two pass catching tight ends as strictly blocking TE3
Prediction: Orlando. The Rage were the only team in the league to go with just two tight ends, a strategy already risky with the iffy health of 2017 third round pick Jake Butt, but almost entirely blew up with the bizarre Ryan Griffin incident at midseason. Moreau won't be replacing either Griffin or Butt, but merely as the aforementioned TE3 who will often times be an extra blocker.
Irv Smith, Alabama: Could be the best receiving tight end in the draft. Very good at finding open areas and getting deep, also a good blocker. Son of an NFL tight end and coming out of Nick Saban factory, won't need a lot of coaching.
Prediction: Washington. Jordan Leggett comes off of a knee injury which cost him half the season, and the Glory look for a complement/backup plan as Darren Waller failed to make much impact in his absence. Pep Hamilton, who has a history of strong tight ends, would be absolutely thrilled to pair Smith with Leggett.
Josh Oliver, San Jose State. Is on this list cause of his ability to make tough catches in traffic, everything is upside-based. Stood out for weak team, probably not here if he was say TE3 at Stanford.
Prediction: Los Angeles. With Tyler Higbee cemented as the starter and Cole Hikutini the designated redzone/third down specialist, Oliver would compete with Darrell Daniels, who caught two passes this year--one was for 28 yards on a fake punt, for the third tight end spot.
Caleb Wilson. UCLA: Great in redzone and on third down, and also finding open spots in zones, but is definitely a TE3 project. Will fit best on a team with an established starter and a solid backup to sit behind.
Prediction: St. Louis. Whomever drafts Wilson is likely to ticket him for the practice squad. We'll go St. Louis, where the expected return of Ed Dickson, fellow former Bruin TE Thomas Duarte, and a possible veteran addition in free agency will crowd the room. But the potential is there, so he spends 2020 as an extra.
Drew Sample, Washington: Another tight end better known as a blocker and special teams protector than a receiver or route runner--though with Hunter Bryant slowed by knee surgery he was able to show some skills in that area and finished with 25 catches for 252 yards and three scores.
Prediction: San Antonio. Of course the still TBD tight end market is akin to trying to figure out where Kawhi Leonard is taking his talents. The Stampede could make a play to get Ed Dickson back, could steal Kelvin Benjamin last minute to form a lethal combo of Benjamin and Chris Herndon, or sign Greg Olsen for veteran presence. Any way they go they'll still grab Sample, who as described isn't much of a playmaker but can do things when given the opportunity, and definitely plays a role in making them happen.
Foster Moreau, LSU: More of a traditional in-line tight end who is block-first. Is valuable in both pass and run blocking. Will fit on a team that already has two pass catching tight ends as strictly blocking TE3
Prediction: Orlando. The Rage were the only team in the league to go with just two tight ends, a strategy already risky with the iffy health of 2017 third round pick Jake Butt, but almost entirely blew up with the bizarre Ryan Griffin incident at midseason. Moreau won't be replacing either Griffin or Butt, but merely as the aforementioned TE3 who will often times be an extra blocker.
Irv Smith, Alabama: Could be the best receiving tight end in the draft. Very good at finding open areas and getting deep, also a good blocker. Son of an NFL tight end and coming out of Nick Saban factory, won't need a lot of coaching.
Prediction: Washington. Jordan Leggett comes off of a knee injury which cost him half the season, and the Glory look for a complement/backup plan as Darren Waller failed to make much impact in his absence. Pep Hamilton, who has a history of strong tight ends, would be absolutely thrilled to pair Smith with Leggett.
Josh Oliver, San Jose State. Is on this list cause of his ability to make tough catches in traffic, everything is upside-based. Stood out for weak team, probably not here if he was say TE3 at Stanford.
Prediction: Los Angeles. With Tyler Higbee cemented as the starter and Cole Hikutini the designated redzone/third down specialist, Oliver would compete with Darrell Daniels, who caught two passes this year--one was for 28 yards on a fake punt, for the third tight end spot.
Caleb Wilson. UCLA: Great in redzone and on third down, and also finding open spots in zones, but is definitely a TE3 project. Will fit best on a team with an established starter and a solid backup to sit behind.
Prediction: St. Louis. Whomever drafts Wilson is likely to ticket him for the practice squad. We'll go St. Louis, where the expected return of Ed Dickson, fellow former Bruin TE Thomas Duarte, and a possible veteran addition in free agency will crowd the room. But the potential is there, so he spends 2020 as an extra.
Drew Sample, Washington: Another tight end better known as a blocker and special teams protector than a receiver or route runner--though with Hunter Bryant slowed by knee surgery he was able to show some skills in that area and finished with 25 catches for 252 yards and three scores.
Prediction: San Antonio. Of course the still TBD tight end market is akin to trying to figure out where Kawhi Leonard is taking his talents. The Stampede could make a play to get Ed Dickson back, could steal Kelvin Benjamin last minute to form a lethal combo of Benjamin and Chris Herndon, or sign Greg Olsen for veteran presence. Any way they go they'll still grab Sample, who as described isn't much of a playmaker but can do things when given the opportunity, and definitely plays a role in making them happen.