If Watson Isn't Re-signed

[mgteich]

TE would then be a very high priority both in free agency and in the draft. Who are the players ready to start in the NFL?

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

They have more needs than a TE. This offense doesn't even look towards the TE. There is no reason to draft a TE early.

 

[NePatriots]

TE would then be a very high priority both in free agency and in the draft. Who are the players ready to start in the NFL?

Tony Moeaki, Iowa
Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
Aaron Hernandez, Florida
Dennis Pitta, BYU

Just to name a few. I'd much rather grab a Moeaki in the 4th than any other TE in the 1st or 2nd.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Gresham is a top 15 talent to get him with our 1st round pick might be too good to pass up.

 

[The Intimidator]

Gresham is a top 15 talent to get him with our 1st round pick might be too good to pass up.

I dont think it will be. He is coming off an injury, and we have much more dier needs then a tight end right now. I would draft one at the earliest in the 2nd round and address our pass rush and running game in the first two rounds.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Two te's to consider from 4th on I saw quite a bit of this year. Are Andrew Quarless - PSU. He has had off-field issues(dui) and wasn't the most mature kid when he enrolled. But, he really came on this year. I felt he was under utilized in PSU's scheme. Probably, a boom or bust pick. But, i'd be willing to gamble a 4th on him. Garrett Graham - Wisconsin looks like a solid player. May not be the in-line blocker we want. But, he'll play in the NFL. As a receiver, he's probably as good as our guys now.

 

[kas]

I'm probably as big a Jermaine Gresham fan as you will find on this board. The guy, while not quite as fast as Watson, is more athletic and has much better hands. He is also an above average blocker and should get even better with age. He works the middle of the field as well as any TE I can remember. The only reason we'll even get a sniff of him is because he had an injury plagued year but nothing that should linger.

With all the attention on Welker short and Moss deep, a receiving threat who can attack the intermediate zones should thrive. Gresham could be that very guy. Take him in the first and focus on the D the rest of the way (with maybe a guard or RB thown in) - I'll be one happy guy.

 

[Gunnails]

So whats the deal with Chriss Baker, will he be a Pat next season?

I thought he was a very nice pick up by the Pats, good blocker, good hands, but I have not heard much about his play as a Pat. I suppose his lack of speed is his downfall.

 

[carolinatony]

Even is Watson leaves we don't need a TE. We didn't throw to Watson why would we throw to Gresham. Grab one in the late rounds if needed.

Defense and OL are more important than TE in this draft.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

Even is Watson leaves we don't need a TE. We didn't throw to Watson why would we throw to Gresham. Grab one in the late rounds if needed.

Defense and OL are more important than TE in this draft.

Exactly. We'd still have Chris Baker who is an underrated receiver and a great blocker. He could take over as the #1 TE option and we could add another one through free agency, trade, or the draft. Pick up a good blocking TE like we did in Michael Matthews. Pick up a vet like we did with Kyle Brady who came cheap and was a great blocker.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

:bricks: What is it with folks who forget Tight Ends also block? :confused2: Whether Watson is re-signed or not, NE will need at least two TEs on the game day roster - it remains a critical part of the offense and Special Teams.

From the list provided above...

Tony Moeaki, Iowa
Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
Aaron Hernandez, Florida
Dennis Pitta, BYU

...the latter two are receivers, I like both in that role, but not as blockers. Gresham is higher priced than I believe the position (in the current offensive scheme) warrants. I've not seen Moeaki yet, but hope to catch the bowl game.

These three are all projected by NFLDS no higher than the 6th round, they all have decent blocking skills to go with decent receiving skills:

Nate Byham, Pittsburgh
Andrew Quarless, Penn State
Jim Dray, Stanford

These two are a couple UDFA prospects who are decent blockers and receivers:
Steven Pfahler, Montana
Dan Beaudin, Montana

Personally, if NE is unable to reach a deal with Watson, I'd draft Dray and sign one of the Montana lads to compete with Agnone (IR) and Myers (PSquad) for that #2 slot alongside Baker.

 

[mgteich]

The question is what is the TE position opposite Baker worth. Your answer is that it is worth having a couple of practice squad players compete with an UDFA quality player.

Watson has been much more valuable than that. I strongly suspect that Belichick values the TE position more highly than you do.

:bricks: What is it with folks who forget Tight Ends also block? :confused2: Whether Watson is re-signed or not, NE will need at least two TEs on the game day roster - it remains a critical part of the offense and Special Teams.

From the list provided above......the latter two are receivers, I like both in that role, but not as blockers. Gresham is higher priced than I believe the position (in the current offensive scheme) warrants. I've not seen Moeaki yet, but hope to catch the bowl game.

These three are all projected by NFLDS no higher than the 6th round, they all have decent blocking skills to go with decent receiving skills:

Nate Byham, Pittsburgh
Andrew Quarless, Penn State
Jim Dray, Stanford

These two are a couple UDFA prospects who are decent blockers and receivers:
Steven Pfahler, Montana
Dan Beaudin, Montana

Personally, if NE is unable to reach a deal with Watson, I'd draft Dray and sign one of the Montana lads to compete with Agnone (IR) and Myers (PSquad) for that #2 slot alongside Baker.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The question is what is the TE position opposite Baker worth. Your answer is that it is worth having a couple of practice squad players compete with an UDFA quality player.

Watson has been much more valuable than that. I strongly suspect that Belichick values the TE position more highly than you do.

The question is, "is the TE position, as 'currently' used, worth a first or second round pick?"

If Gresham slides to the late second, sure, if you think he can stay healthy and fill the void Watson would leave you draft him, he's a good value. What other TE is there in this draft has similar value as an all-around TE? McCoy? He's reportedly a good blocker, but he "lumbers" into his routes - I can find the same kind of player in the UDFA pool.

BB values TE, no question, but the greatest value from the position is now coming from the blocking they do and their Special Teams contribution. Watson has 26 receptions, Baker 13 - both are well off their highs. That sets the "value" I'm looking for in a TE - good blocker, someone who can pull down 15-30 receptions a season. Look to the later rounds my friend.

 

[NePatriots]

BB values TE, no question, but the greatest value from the position is now coming from the blocking they do and their Special Teams contribution. Watson has 26 receptions, Baker 13 - both are well off their highs. That sets the "value" I'm looking for in a TE - good blocker, someone who can pull down 15-30 receptions a season. Look to the later rounds my friend.

That sums up Tony Moeaki in a nutshell.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

That sums up Tony Moeaki in a nutshell.

Then he's a fit.

 

[Sciz]

Then he's a fit.

His head coach was an OL coach under BB. I hope the TEs know how to block...

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

His head coach was an OL coach under BB. I hope the TEs know how to block...

Hope......

 

[NePatriots]

His head coach was an OL coach under BB. I hope the TEs know how to block...

I've seen about 30 of Moeaki's games... half in person. Blocking is his strong suit, and he can catch the ball just fine.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I've seen about 30 of Moeaki's games... half in person. Blocking is his strong suit, and he can catch the ball just fine.

But what about speed, option route running and the hands?

Also he makes a lot of sense,if he can block as well as Baker did,then Baker can slide over into Watson's old role.

It looks like BB was using Baker and Watson this season to try and recreate what he had with Graham and Watson.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

That sums up Tony Moeaki in a nutshell.

Bingo sir!