Talking TEs - 2014 Draft

manxman2601 said:

That 4.4 speed makes him very interesting as a late round flyer.

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Then Bill will probably draft him in the 3rd round.

mayoclinic said:

One guy who hasn't really been discussed as a possible UFA option is Dustin Keller. He's coming off an ACL injury from August, and the idea of having 2 TEs coming off ACL injuries might be scary. But he'll have been almost a full year out from his injury once training camp starts.

Keller didn't miss a game for 4 years with the Jets, then had his contract year cut to 5 games due to a high ankle sprain and groin injury. The Dolphins signed him to a 1 year deal worth just over $4M last year, and then he blew out his ACL in training camp after being hit by DJ Swearinger in a similar play to Rob Gronkowski's hit by TJ Ward.

Keller had terrific explosiveness and movement skills coming out of college (41" VJ + 10'11" BJ + 26 BP = 77-78; 4.53 40 + 1.62 10-split + 4.14 SS + 6.88 3C = 17.17) and was extremely productive for the Jets for his first 4 years.

Any interest if he's willing to take a cheap deal?

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My first thought was "no thanks" when I was remembering him the lit up by Ray Lewis the end of the game in 2010. But after more thought, he makes a lot of sense as a poor man's Aaron Hernandez replacement. If his knee checks out and he still has the fire he could be a very good move TE for the patriots. He probably could fill that role better than anyone else available on the market. I think he is a much better player if he is a complementary part of the offense as opposed to the main guy. With reasonable expectations, something he hasn't always had, I think he could be a very nice piece to the offensive puzzle- especially if Brady finds a recommitment to, as Grid would say, sharing the whole pig.

Thanks to Manx for the the Blake clip. First I have seen of the guy, but I liked what I saw. I NEVER watch Bearcat games so he definitely would've gone unnoticed by me.

manxman2601 said:

Cincinnati Bearcat TE Blake Annen

Blake Annen vs Purdue (2013) | Draft Breakdown

Had a workout with the Pats at his pro day. He's 6-4, 247lbs but more importantly ran an unofficial 4.41. Also had a 34" VJ which was only bettered by Marcel Jensen and Colt Lyerla. Had a 10' BJ (only bettered by two), a 4.30 SS (3rd) and a 7.19 3cone (4th).

Eye-catching numbers posted at Cincinnati pro day - NFL.com

That 4.4 speed makes him very interesting as a late round flyer.

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Watched the Perdue tape on draft breakdown. Pretty interesting. He reminds me of David Thomas a bit. I'd definitely take that in the late rounds.

everlong said:

Watched the Perdue tape on draft breakdown.

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He was a pretty good blocker in that clip too.

sircole said:

He was a pretty good blocker in that clip too.

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Yes. The blocking stood out to me too.

manxman2601 said:

Cincinnati Bearcat TE Blake Annen

Blake Annen vs Purdue (2013) | Draft Breakdown

Had a workout with the Pats at his pro day. He's 6-4, 247lbs but more importantly ran an unofficial 4.41. Also had a 34" VJ which was only bettered by Marcel Jensen and Colt Lyerla. Had a 10' BJ (only bettered by two), a 4.30 SS (3rd) and a 7.19 3cone (4th).

Eye-catching numbers posted at Cincinnati pro day - NFL.com

That 4.4 speed makes him very interesting as a late round flyer.

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I don't know if i believe he ran a 4.41 40.

Ebron ran a 4.6.. A.C. Leonard the fastest pure speed TE in this draft ran a 4.5. I don't really believe some no-name guy who did almost nothing at his school blew them away. However I would believe he is probably in the 4.5 and just got a beneficial clocked speed.

That makes him interesting too though.

BobDigital said:

I don't know if i believe he ran a 4.41 40.

Ebron ran a 4.6.. A.C. Leonard the fastest pure speed TE in this draft ran a 4.5. I don't really believe some no-name guy who did almost nothing at his school blew them away. However I would believe he is probably in the 4.5 and just got a beneficial clocked speed.

That makes him interesting too though.

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I always take pro day times with a grain of salt. Because usually they are hand timed instead of electronic timed. Hand timed tends to be just a hair faster. But still the guy put up hand times of 4.41 and 4.42 so that suggests to me that his speed is consistent and real. The thing to consider is the 'whole' package. When comparing tight ends, can they get down the field, can they block, can they run routes intelligently, can they catch, are they elusive in the open field or do they have the core strength to run over people, are they versatile in where they can line up? Etc. etc.

Certainly when considering a later round TE, I'd be interested to see how this Blake Annen stacks up to say an AC Leonard.

I have personally soured on tight ends in the 2014 NFL Draft, aside from Eric Ebron that is. I would look at late round steals at the tight end position:

NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Jake Murphy
Blake Annen
Ted Bolser

as well as potential H-backs:

NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Trey Millard
Gator Hoskins

ATippett56 said:

I have personally soured on tight ends in the 2014 NFL Draft, aside from Eric Ebron that is. I would look at late round steals at the tight end position:

NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Jake Murphy
Blake Annen
Ted Bolser

as well as potential H-backs:

NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Trey Millard
Gator Hoskins

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Well I'm still high on ASJ but I can see where you're coming from. I still like 2nd round value of Niklas and 3rd-4th for Fiedorowicz but that's about it until late day three.

manxman2601 said:

Well I'm still high on ASJ but I can see where you're coming from. I still like 2nd round value of Niklas and 3rd-4th for Fiedorowicz but that's about it until late day three.

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ASJ has a litany of issues: DUI arrest, past weight problems, foot surgery.

As for Niklas, those concussions .... those concussions. Remember former Texas A&M wide receiver Ryan Swope?

I would rather draft an offensive guard in the third round than Fiedorowicz:

Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

ATippett56 said:

ASJ has a litany of issues: DUI arrest, past weight problems, foot surgery.

As for Niklas, those concussions .... those concussions. Remember former Texas A&M wide receiver Ryan Swope?

I would rather draft an offensive guard in the third round than Fiedorowicz:

Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

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One DUI arrest on it's own isn't too worrisome. As for Niklas' concussions, that'll be up to the teams doctors to assess - it's not something we're qualified to judge him on.

doesntmatter1 said:

Thanks to Manx for the the Blake clip. First I have seen of the guy, but I liked what I saw. I NEVER watch Bearcat games so he definitely would've gone unnoticed by me.

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I really like Travis Kelce in last year's draft as well, he was taken high 3rd by the Chiefs but missed the season to injury. Somebody in Cincinnati is coaching up the tight ends!

manxman2601 said:

One DUI arrest on it's own isn't too worrisome. As for Niklas' concussions, that'll be up to the teams doctors to assess - it's not something we're qualified to judge him on.

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The concussions ate a problem depending on how serious they were. Team doctors won't be able to examine him and tell how likely further concussions are or how much brain damage he already has. It's a gray area but I don't think it makes sense to deduct no points for it draft wise just because you can't know with precision just how bad it is.

Hercules Rockefeller said:

I really like Travis Kelce in last year's draft as well, he was taken high 3rd by the Chiefs but missed the season to injury. Somebody in Cincinnati is coaching up the tight ends!

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Don't forget Connor Barwin (who could?) and Brent Celek.

I have watched ASJ for his entire career. He is with out a doubt the best TE in this draft. He has been hampered by a QB that has no field vision and rarely looked to the middle of the field. He was never a big YAC guy based on his style of play. If you are looking for a comparison, he is a poor man's Tony Gonzalez. As far as injuries and his off the field transgression, take both with a grain of salt. ASJ made one mistake and owned up to it. He is a great person so nothing to worry about there. As far as the injuries go, it is a slight concern.

Gronkipotomus said:

I have watched ASJ for his entire career. He is with out a doubt the best TE in this draft. He has been hampered by a QB that has no field vision and rarely looked to the middle of the field. He was never a big YAC guy based on his style of play. If you are looking for a comparison, he is a poor man's Tony Gonzalez. As far as injuries and his off the field transgression, take both with a grain of salt. ASJ made one mistake and owned up to it. He is a great person so nothing to worry about there. As far as the injuries go, it is a slight concern.

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:welcome:.

ATippett56 said:

I have personally soured on tight ends in the 2014 NFL Draft, aside from Eric Ebron that is. I would look at late round steals at the tight end position:

NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Jake Murphy
Blake Annen
Ted Bolser

as well as potential H-backs:

NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Trey Millard
Gator Hoskins

Click to expand...

I feel the same way.

I spent the last hour or so looking at these guys and they all have holes, including Ebron.

Ebron is a bit slight but could be an unguaradable weapon in the NFL.

ASJ has everything I like in a TE, size, great hands, and despite critiques of his lack of athleticism, I actually see him having some burst. Maybe not great straightline speed, but he looks quick. I like him. I am really concerned though that he has a bit of dog in him. I saw the entire clip of his Cal game and he doesn't play to the whistle on blocks or when he is covered. You could see him standing there as his QB is just scrambling. Hands are good. But... Also concerned by his stress fracture, as I am with Dobson.

After watching tapes of Niklas I am not a huge fan. He is not especially fleet of foot and I thought he didn't have the best hands.

Jace Amaro looks like the best bet as he has better size than Ebron, and he's dynamic, but he plays in the B12 and I never feel great about offensive players coming out of that conference because they simply don't play defense there. He passes the eye test over both ASJ and Niklas, but then there's the thing that concerns me most about him: at the combine, he looked discombobulated. He had difficulty tracking long throws. Could be his Texas Tech offense emphasized short darts and outs, few long passes. He has the potential to bust big time.

I would be looking at either Ebron, a CB/S, or a top WR in the first. Maybe a DT/DE if a good one drops. I don't want them to reach for a Tuitt there.

I'd be good with ASJ in the late second round.

Ebron really is a better prospect than vernon davis. Watching him play and thinking about him in this offense WITH Gronk? Then I just get sad again knowing how many teams need TE's ahead of us.

With the jets signing pettigrew that's one less TE needy team in front of us