Aaron Hernandez as the big physical WR?

[ivanvamp]

We all saw what Anquan Boldin did in the playoffs, and it suggests that the Pats sure could use a big and physical WR. Instead of spending big $$ getting one, however, perhaps Aaron Hernandez could fill that role. We know he's a gifted receiver and a tremendous athlete. But here are his measurables compared to other big receivers (all data from: http://www.nfldraftscout.com):

Name - Height - Weight - best 40 time
A. Hernandez - 6'3" - 245 lbs - 4.53
A. Boldin - 6'1" - 216 lbs - 4.72
L. Fitzgerald - 6'3" - 225 lbs - 4.42
M. Colston - 6'5" - 224 lbs - 4.50
C. Johnson - 6'5" - 239 lbs - 4.32
V. Jackson - 6'5" - 241 lbs - 4.46
P. Burress - 6'6" - 231 lbs - 4.59
B. Marshall - 6'5" - 229 lbs - 4.52
A. Johnson - 6'2" - 230 lbs - 4.40
AJ Green - 6'4" - 211 lbs - 4.48
D. Bowe - 6'2" - 221 lbs - 4.49
J. Jones - 6'3" - 220 lbs - 4.32
J. Nelson - 6'3" - 217 lbs - 4.45
H. Nicks - 6'1" - 212 lbs - 4.42

He would not have average speed for a big WR, but he wouldn't be the slowest of this group, either. And this is a list of excellent WRs. He's not a great blocker for a TE, but for a WR, he'd immediately jump to the top of this list. A lineup of Amendola and Hernandez wide, and Gronk and Ballard as TEs would give the Pats tremendous blocking with effectively 3 TEs (one blocking on a DB), and it would give the Pats a big outside target in Hernandez.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

I like the possibility of it. Ballard and Gronk would still be the best TE duo in the game and Hernandez could help solidify the WR position.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Hernandez is NOT a boundary player.

He is not particularly fast, nor particularly physical. His extremely quick.

In the middle of the field, where the defender doesn't have "leverage" and he can go either left or right, he is a terror. Give the defender a sideline to work with and he'll be pretty useless.

So no.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Hernandez already splits out wide in some sets so he does act as a big WR some downs

 

[Deus Irae]

 

[Patriot Missile]

I've read articles on this same topic and I'm just not sure. I've seen nothing over 20 yards that can justify this. I can't imagine him running a route 40 yards down field and going up over the top to get it. Only because I haven't seen it I guess. Or maybe i just don't remember him doing this. His YAC is good, he cuts almost impossibly on a dime, big target. Just have to wait and see what happens.

 

[ausbacker]

I don't want to see Hernandez playing as a Wide Receiver. He's best used in his current role.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I don't want to see Hernandez playing as a Wide Receiver. He's best used in his current role.

I like him all over the place ... just like they are using him now.

 

[AzorianPats]

We all saw what Anquan Boldin did in the playoffs, and it suggests that the Pats sure could use a big and physical WR. Instead of spending big $$ getting one, however, perhaps Aaron Hernandez could fill that role. We know he's a gifted receiver and a tremendous athlete. But here are his measurables compared to other big receivers (all data from: 2013 NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com):

Name - Height - Weight - best 40 time
A. Hernandez - 6'3" - 245 lbs - 4.53
A. Boldin - 6'1" - 216 lbs - 4.72
L. Fitzgerald - 6'3" - 225 lbs - 4.42
M. Colston - 6'5" - 224 lbs - 4.50
C. Johnson - 6'5" - 239 lbs - 4.32
V. Jackson - 6'5" - 241 lbs - 4.46
P. Burress - 6'6" - 231 lbs - 4.59
B. Marshall - 6'5" - 229 lbs - 4.52
A. Johnson - 6'2" - 230 lbs - 4.40
AJ Green - 6'4" - 211 lbs - 4.48
D. Bowe - 6'2" - 221 lbs - 4.49
J. Jones - 6'3" - 220 lbs - 4.32
J. Nelson - 6'3" - 217 lbs - 4.45
H. Nicks - 6'1" - 212 lbs - 4.42

He would not have average speed for a big WR, but he wouldn't be the slowest of this group, either. And this is a list of excellent WRs. He's not a great blocker for a TE, but for a WR, he'd immediately jump to the top of this list. A lineup of Amendola and Hernandez wide, and Gronk and Ballard as TEs would give the Pats tremendous blocking with effectively 3 TEs (one blocking on a DB), and it would give the Pats a big outside target in Hernandez.

I def don't think Hernandez is 6'3 245. He looks more 6'1 230. Hernandez is at his best working the middle of the field getting mismatches on LB. Why take that threat away?

 

[ivanvamp]

I like him all over the place ... just like they are using him now.

I do too. I'm not suggesting a full-time move to outside WR. Just that on plays where you might want a big target at WR, he could fill the role on those plays. The thought is that instead of spending $$ on a guy like that, perhaps on those occasions where a player like that is needed, they could simply use him in that role.

 

[BTTA]

I like him all over the place ... just like they are using him now.

Agreed. The best answer to this is probably: sometimes yes, but not as the primary.

 

[Sciz]

I def don't think Hernandez is 6'3 245. He looks more 6'1 230.

6' 2 3/8" without shoes, but yes, definitely less than 245.

 

[Ring 6]

Hernandez already splits out wide in some sets so he does act as a big WR some downs

Only when there are 2 other WRs on the field, and he goes wide to pull a safety out.
Kevin Faulk lined up out wide at times, and he wasn't a WR.

Hernanndez best skill is that FOR A TE he is fast, agile and quick. Put him at WR and he is slow for the position, losing his advantage.
If you can find a team that will play 3 safeties and 1 corner, fine, make Hernandez a WR vs them. Otherwise, no.

 

[cstjohn17]

Hernandez is too soft to play that role

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Only when there are 2 other WRs on the field, and he goes wide to pull a safety out.
Kevin Faulk lined up out wide at times, and he wasn't a WR.

Hernanndez best skill is that FOR A TE he is fast, agile and quick. Put him at WR and he is slow for the position, losing his advantage.
If you can find a team that will play 3 safeties and 1 corner, fine, make Hernandez a WR vs them. Otherwise, no.

We need a sticky FAQ for this. Keeps coming up. One of several "Walking Dead" threads that resurface aperiodically.

 

[Ring 6]

We need a sticky FAQ for this. Keeps coming up. One of several "Walking Dead" threads that resurface aperiodically.

I know. Its the 34 or 43?

 

[cstjohn17]

Only when there are 2 other WRs on the field, and he goes wide to pull a safety out.
Kevin Faulk lined up out wide at times, and he wasn't a WR.

Hernanndez best skill is that FOR A TE he is fast, agile and quick. Put him at WR and he is slow for the position, losing his advantage.
If you can find a team that will play 3 safeties and 1 corner, fine, make Hernandez a WR vs them. Otherwise, no.

Great post

 

[Brady2Moss]

Hernandez physical? This guy drops everything if the threat of contact is there. Dude is charmin soft. He is big though!

 

[Wilfork#75]

I don't like it, Hernandez gets less effective the further away he gets from the middle of the field. I think CB's would handle him pretty easily on the outside because he simply doesn't have the athleticism of a WR. Also his physicality is different to that of a WR. WR's need to be physical to not only get off the line against press coverage (which he can do), but also be strong down the field for contested balls and in one on one situations. I haven't seen that out of Hernandez. If you wan't to play him as a slot WR then I think its a reasonable debate, but as an outside WR I think its a bad idea.

 

[patsfan13]

I def don't think Hernandez is 6'3 245. He looks more 6'1 230. Hernandez is at his best working the middle of the field getting mismatches on LB. Why take that threat away?

Good question, because he could fill the slot role and with Ah, Gronk and Ballard on the field there are a lot of mismatches for the running game. Ballard is an excellent in line blocker Gronk is better and AH blocking a secondary player is a mismatch.