* 2012 Draft Tight Ends *

[Off The Grid]

3rd in a Series

Good Evening, Ladies and Gents...

I humbly and quietly offer this Thread ~ the 3rd of many, as I'll be circumnavigating the entire Roster ~ to my Fellow Patriots Fans ~ KoolAid Soaked Homers + Bile Soaked Haters, alike!! ~ as a Gathering Place ~ a common reference ~ for Tight End Prospects.

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I break down Tight Ends into 3 Positions:

Tight Ends ~ Blocking Specialists ~ Alge Crumpler
Wing Backs ~ Receiving Specialists ~ Aaron The Navigator
Flex Ends ~ Hybrids ~ Rob Gronkowski

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I should stress the point that I'm focusing on guys that have been profiled by NFL Draft Scout and National FootBall Post. I believe that both Sites get the "All 22" Film ~ an enormous advantage in evaluation, I think ~ and, as such, have the Opportunity to offer us insight that we're not privy to.

Furthermore, they've got the time and the resources to extensively study this "All 22" Game Tape and confer with other professionals.

All my positions are ultimately my own, obviously, but I consider it wise, indeed, to confer with Professionals who have the time and the access to resources that I do not, and allow them to do the heavy lifting.

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XE Dwayne Allen of Clemson ~ 6.4/256

Dwayne Allen looks like the premier Draft Eligible Flex End of the 2012 Draft.

He gets excellent grades as a Blocker. He has superior Core Strength and sufficient Core Flexibility, and he brings enough Lateral Agility and Range to make an impact DownField.

As a Receiver, his Burst is pretty good, and he gets superior grades for his Navigational Skills, as well. His Hands aren't exceptional, but he gets outstanding marks for his work DownField.

Dwayne Allen is no Zoomer, but that isn't what Moves the Chains, anyway. He projects to be a reliable, sturdy Blocker, and a tough, reliable Receiver, who should make a substantial Impact on his team's fortunes.

Beast!!

***

WB Coby Fleener of Stanford ~ 6.6/245

Caveat Emptor: I'm not entirely sure that I can be described as "objective" about Coby Fleener's prospects.

I've got a Wing Back Jones...And by GOD, does he fit the bill!!

One thing that always gets my attention is Cross Training, and Fleener is not only a former Split End ~ that's Wide Receiver, to you Earthlings!! ~ but a former BasketBall player!! Cross Training with other responsibilities and other perspectives is, in my view, invaluable, and gives the Prospect a profound edge, going forward.

Fleener brings a crispy Burst off the Line, and commands sufficient Core Strength as well as tremendous Core Flexibility as a Blocker. He's not a mauling Beast, you understand, but for a former Split End, he's pretty scrappy.

As a Receiver, he is frightening.

Coby Fleener's Navigational Prowess is second to none: He combines outstanding Lateral Velocity + Fluidity with explosive Verticity ~ that's Turn + Burn Acuity, Earthlings!! ~ and astonishing Instincts.

His Long Speed is not remarkable.

But his Diagnostic Acuity, his Savvy, and his Navigational Prowess...are destructive.

He is, for my money, the deadliest Receiver in the Draft.

And yet he's a Wing Back projected for the 2nd or 3rd Round!!

Super Beast Sleeper!!

***

WB Michael Egnew of Missouri ~ 6.5/245

If Coby Fleener projects half way between Flex End and Wing Back ~ I'm thinking: Jimmy Graham ~ then Michael Egnew is pretty close to a pure Wing Back.

Fleener can be lined up as a Blocking End. Egnew...not so much.

But that is in NO way to imply that he's not a dangerous Weapon.

I'm sure you've heard of Aaron Hernandez.

Michael Egnew isn't much of a Blocker, at this point: Both his Core Strength + Core Flexibility need some work. But, again: Aaron Hernandez fit that description, 18 months ago, and he has come a long way as a Blocker. And as a Motion or Edge Blocker, he does an excellent job.

As a Receiver, on the other hand, Egnew commands an absolutely nightmarish combination of outstanding Navigational Skills, mercurial Fluidity, terrific Instincts, and exceptional Lateral Agility.

He has the Frame to box out Defenders, and yet the Long Speed to disappear.

He is one of the Top 5 deadliest Receivers coming out, yet boasts only a 3rd or 4th Round Market Value!!

Super Beast Sleeper!!

Notes

1 ~ It's no secret that I am OBSESSED with Tight Ends ~ particularly Flex Ends like Rob Gronkowski and Wing Backs like Aaron "The Navigator" Hernandez ~ so you are duly advised that I am FANATICAL about these Roles!!

2 ~ In my opinion, Flex Ends and Wing Backs offer disproportionately IMMENSE Impact on a team's Fire Power, relative to Wide Receivers...and Rapid Deployment to the Front Lines, as illustrated by Brothers Gronkowski and Aaron The Navigator, just last year...

3 ~ I believe the potential impact of HYBRIDS like Gronk, Aaron The Navigator, Jimmy Graham, JerMichael Finley and the like could RUPTURE the Tactical Landscape of the NFL, for the simple reason that these guys are deadly effective in the Running AND the Passing Game, which makes defending two of them NIGHTMARISH, and defending 3 or 4 ~ should some team wake up and realize the Full Potential of this New Breed ~ UNSPEAKABLE.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Hernandez has dropped a ton of balls this year and his blocking has regressed. He looks to be losing brady's confidence.

Depending on how he runs, fleenor could be an ideal 3rd te and eventual replacement for dropnandez.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

I'll take one of the Stanford TE's.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'll take one of the Stanford TE's.

Yes i agree. I also think there is a big te for nc state that fits our offense.

Nc state also has a big lber, audie cole, i think, that projects well in our defense.

 

[Stilla]

I think BB wants to attempt to play the 3 TE formation as it is conceived. I am not sure if this was planned prior to the 2010 draft or if it came to fruit after Gronk and Aaron developed into the players they are today.

This became apparent to me after BB drafted Vereen, Ridley, and Lee Smith (TE in the 5th round.) And even this week BB worked out tight end/receiver Dorin ****erson, who has the size to play fullback or H-back.

The fact that BB likes to play the 3 TE formation with Nate, shows me he wants to work out this system now, and it gives Nate some experience with a system that would be very complex under BB.

I wouldn't be shocked if BB adds some real depth at TE next year. We could carry 4, 5 or even 6 Tight Ends.

I like Dwayne a lot, BB needs to pick him up asap.

Just imagen if NE had depth at tackle next year and Nate could still play some situational TE. You could have Gronk, Nate and Dwayne in with little Vereen and Woodhead running around invisible from the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Stilla]

Its pondering to see if BB coaches up Nate Solder to play as a tackle-eligible receiver. His current experience claims he is capable.

Can be done by having two linemen (including the "catching tackle") on one side of the center and four linemen on the other, and you have to tell the field judges.

It just adds more layers to the confusion that the 3TE formation brings to the game. If Nate goes out for a pass and no one covers him, thats gold to me. I would love to see Nate just run over a DB. :singing:

 

[Off The Grid]

Its pondering to see if BB coaches up Nate Solder to play as a tackle-eligible receiver. His current experience claims he is capable.

Can be done by having two linemen (including the "catching tackle") on one side of the center and four linemen on the other, and you have to tell the field judges.

It just adds more layers to the confusion that the 3TE formation brings to the game. If Nate goes out for a pass and no one covers him, thats gold to me. I would love to see Nate just run over a DB. :singing:

Interesting Stratagem, Bro...

Myself, I favor an extremely radical 1 Flex End ~ 3 Wing Back Set:

XE Rob Gronkowski
WB Coby Fleener
WB Aaron Hernandez
WB Michael Egnew

HB Shane Vereen

The frightening beauty of deploying such a Set is that you have 5 guys, every one of whom are legitimate threats as Run Blockers, as Receivers, and as Receiving Blockers.

They're fast enough and big enough to prevent Secondaries from clogging the middle: they'd either get pulverized, or beaten Long. And they're tall enough and such skilled Navigators that they're virtually always open!! Clogging the middle simply doesn't work when you're covering 4 or 5 different guys that all need double coverage!!

We can run virtually every play in the Book, with the same 11 guys. The Hurry Up possibilities, alone, would be nightmarish to Defenses!! All Brady would have to do, is read the Defense, diagnose the best match up, and audibilize. We would terrorize people!! :rocker:

I'm not suggesting we run this 4 Tight End Set all the time, mind you...But a 3 Tight End Set with one Split End and one Back like Vereen or Ridley would make one hell of a Meat + Potatoes Set, for much of the same reasons.

There is a tremendous Opportunity to exploit the quicker, smaller Defenses out there.

 

[Stilla]

Interesting Stratagem, Bro...

Myself, I favor an extremely radical 1 Flex End ~ 3 Wing Back Set:

XE Rob Gronkowski
WB Coby Fleener
WB Aaron Hernandez
WB Michael Egnew

HB Shane Vereen

The frightening beauty of deploying such a Set is that you have 5 guys, every one of whom are legitimate threats as Run Blockers, as Receivers, and as Receiving Blockers.

They're fast enough and big enough to prevent Secondaries from clogging the middle: they'd either get pulverized, or beaten Long. And they're tall enough and such skilled Navigators that they're virtually always open!! Clogging the middle simply doesn't work when you're covering 4 or 5 different guys that all need double coverage!!

We can run virtually every play in the Book, with the same 11 guys. The Hurry Up possibilities, alone, would be nightmarish to Defenses!! All Brady would have to do, is read the Defense, diagnose the best match up, and audibilize. We would terrorize people!! :rocker:

I'm not suggesting we run this 4 Tight End Set all the time, mind you...But a 3 Tight End Set with one Split End and one Back like Vereen or Ridley would make one hell of a Meat + Potatoes Set, for much of the same reasons.

There is a tremendous Opportunity to exploit the quicker, smaller Defenses out there.

I would love to see NE play the magic 3, but with it you have to have an o-line that can bring the run game to fruit. Meaning for every TE we bring on to the team, I would love to see the same capability within a tackle or guard. NE has depth on the o-line, and we need to continue that paradigm. The 3 tight end set still needs an effective o-line to bring about a great run game. Only then will defenses buy into the play action, as to where the safety's pull up and leave Welker and or another wide out free deep down field.

I need 50 posts to link a web page so.... not there yet. (had to put link on 2 lines)

www dot.
footballtimes.org/Article.asp?ID=218

 

[Off The Grid]

Its pondering to see if BB coaches up Nate Solder to play as a tackle-eligible receiver. His current experience claims he is capable.

Can be done by having two linemen (including the "catching tackle") on one side of the center and four linemen on the other, and you have to tell the field judges.

It just adds more layers to the confusion that the 3TE formation brings to the game. If Nate goes out for a pass and no one covers him, thats gold to me. I would love to see Nate just run over a DB. :singing:

Interesting Stratagem, Bro...

Myself, I favor an extremely radical 1 Flex End ~ 3 Wing Back Set:

XE Rob Gronkowski
WB Coby Fleener
WB Aaron Hernandez
WB Michael Egnew

HB Shane Vereen

The frightening beauty of deploying such a Set is that you have 5 guys, every one of whom are legitimate threats as Run Blockers, as Receivers, and as Receiving Blockers.

They're fast enough and big enough to prevent Secondaries from clogging the middle: they'd either get pulverized, or beaten Long. And they're tall enough and such skilled Navigators that they're virtually always open!! Clogging the middle simply doesn't work when you're covering 4 or 5 different guys that all need double coverage!!

We can run virtually every play in the Book, with the same 11 guys. The Hurry Up possibilities, alone, would be nightmarish to Defenses!! All Brady would have to do, is read the Defense, diagnose the best match up, and audibilize. We would terrorize people!! :rocker:

I'm not suggesting we run this 4 Tight End Set all the time, mind you...But a 3 Tight End Set with one Split End and one Back like Vereen or Ridley would make one hell of a Meat + Potatoes Set, for much of the same reasons.

There is a tremendous Opportunity to exploit the quicker, smaller Defenses out there.

I would love to see NE play the magic 3, but with it you have to have an o-line that can bring the run game to fruit. Meaning for every TE we bring on to the team, I would love to see the same capability within a tackle or guard. NE has depth on the o-line, and we need to continue that paradigm. The 3 tight end set still needs an effective o-line to bring about a great run game. Only then will defenses buy into the play action, as to where the safety's pull up and leave Welker and or another wide out free deep down field.

I need 50 posts to link a web page so.... not there yet. (had to put link on 2 lines)

Three Tight End Offensive Formation magic 3

You don't think we already have a strong O Line?

I actually go the other way with that thought: I believe that with the radical 3/4 Tight End Offense that I propose, the Back 7 or 8 would have such a rough time dealing with those guys ~ and deploying accordingly ~ that it would open up the running game's Opportunities to such extent that our grannies could man the down linemen positions, and we'd still manage 4.5 a pop!!

I am intimately familiar with that Article. Well done, sir.

 

[Snake Eyes]

You don't think we already have a strong O Line?

Silly Grid, you can NEVER have too much firepower!

 

[Off The Grid]

Silly Grid, you can NEVER have too much firepower!

As this Board's most fanatical advocate for Dave DeCastro, I heartily agree!!

 

[Snake Eyes]

As this Board's most fanatical advocate for Dave DeCastro, I heartily agree!!

Regarding TEs, I have a feeling that Mike Williams is going to be a steal, if Saban's using him for blocking it's possible that his skills as a receiver are being hidden and because of that he can be gotten for a song, it also shows unselfish character, which rumor has it is popular with the Patriots.

 

[Off The Grid]

Regarding TEs, I have a feeling that Mike Williams is going to be a steal, if Saban's using him for blocking it's possible that his skills as a receiver are being hidden and because of that he can be gotten for a song, it also shows unselfish character, which rumor has it is popular with the Patriots.

Could be!!

You know I love Williams, too...I need more Tape and more Analysis to Triangulate with, before I can say I have a clear picture on the kid's Receiving capabilities...As you probably recall, I'm advocating phasing out the "Tight End" Tight End ~ the classical Lee Smith ~ Steve Maneri Blocking Specialists, much as I love them, in favor of Flex Ends and Wing Backs...and at 270 Pounds and a light diet of Receptions, ere the last few years, Williams weighs in very much like the prototypical Blocking Tight End. Mind you: I'm LIGHT YEARS away from consigning him to that role...I just need more to go on that what I have, right now...

Of course, if he does turn out to be a true Dual Threat Flex End in the Gronkowski mold, his value would be tremendous, indeed...I tend to think he's not too likely to come out this year, though.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Could be!!

You know I love Williams, too...I need more Tape and more Analysis to Triangulate with, before I can say I have a clear picture on the kid's Receiving capabilities...As you probably recall, I'm advocating phasing out the "Tight End" Tight End ~ the classical Lee Smith ~ Steve Maneri Blocking Specialists, much as I love them, in favor of Flex Ends and Wing Backs...and at 270 Pounds and a light diet of Receptions, ere the last few years, Williams weighs in very much like the prototypical Blocking Tight End. Mind you: I'm LIGHT YEARS away from consigning him to that role...I just need more to go on that what I have, right now...

Of course, if he does turn out to be a true Dual Threat Flex End in the Gronkowski mold, his value would be tremendous, indeed...I tend to think he's not too likely to come out this year, though.

I’d be all over some footage of him, perhaps Brother Ninja can help us out there

I get so giddy when I see Gronk tearing up the field, imagine if we had 2 Gronks out there Where’s John Lennon when you need him?

If he doesnt come out this year then I'd be a bit curious about Tony Gonzalez, he's just about done, I wonder how much $ he'd want.

 

[Stilla]

You don't think we already have a strong O Line?

The o-line is great in the passing game, but something about the run game isn't working well with the unit. I might not be aware of the progress the running game has made, but I recall more run plays that go for a loss, short gains and/or no gain at all, than I do about a ground game which sustains drives and often break out into the secondary.

 

[Off The Grid]

Explanation of Colors + Numbers

1 ~ Red = OverRated ~ in my OH so humble opinion!!

2 ~ Purple = Sleeper or Steal or Super Sleeper!!

3 ~ Blue = Bargain ~ Good Value.

4 ~ The first number = Market Value ~ my best guess, based on CBS, Walter, Et Cetera...

5 ~ The second number = FIENDISH Value ~ how I grade them!!

6 ~ These will all be Cut + Pasted from yon Site, so the formats are different.

An Explanation of My Twisted ViewPoint!!

I have no intention or expectation of converting anyone to my view of things, of course. That doesn't happen, anyway: People make up their own minds in their own way...But an explanation is warranted, I think, out of respect to those of you who do me the honor of reading these Works.

***


Tight Ends: Flex Ends + Wing Backs

"Tight End" ~ the modern term for the Offensive Ends that generally play close to the Grizzlies, is an hybrid gig in the first place: Part Offensive Line Grizzly, part Wide Receiver ~ "Split End."

And that position is becoming ever more "hybrid", of late.

And a dramatic divergence in Skill Sets has developed between 2 major types of "Tight End."

For the sake of clarity, I've organized them by Skill Set, employing terms that've always been with us:

Flex Ends

These are the Hybrid's Hybrid: The purest Dual Threat who's job is to Block and Receive with equal effectiveness.

Example: Rob Gronkowski.

I'll be focusing on Core Strength, Lateral Agility, Release ~ getting free off the Line ~ and Navigation ~ Route Running ~ with equal consideration to all these attributes.

And, no, sir: I don't really care too much what their "40" times are.

Wing Backs

These are the Super Hybrids: Tight Ends who line up On Line, Split Out, at the Wing, and in the BackField.

They have an emphasis on Receiving, but Blocking is important, as well, though usually in Motion.

"Wing Back" is a term that goes back to Pop Warner and Knute Rockne, and is far cooler than "H-Back."

Example: Aaron "The Navigator" Hernandez.

I'll be focusing on Core Strength, Lateral Agility, Release ~ getting free off the Line ~ and Navigation ~ Route Running ~ with an heavy emphasis on the last two attributes.

And, no, I don't much care what their "40" times are, either.

Seems to me that the Offenses that are best equipped to win Championships, year after year after year...are the ones that Move The Chains...And their Receivers tend to be far more adept at Route Running through traffic, than tearing down the SideLines and hauling in 60 yard Bombs...just sayin'!!

***

Flex Ends

Cory Harkey ~ 6.4/264 ~ 6th-7th ~ 4th-5th

Potential Starter!! Cory Harkey won't get much Love from most Draftnicks, but I love the guy!!

He commands tremendous Coil, Core Strength, and Core Flexibility. His Diagnostic Acuity is exceptional, and he puts Geometry to great use in his favor.

His Lateral Agility is terrific against Speed. And his Processing Speed ~ picking up Blitzers ~ is excellent.In short, he is the complete Blocking Tight End package.

He needs work as a Receiver, as his Route Running and Hands are mediocre. But he does bring a nice Short Burst off the Line, and some Verticity out'f'is breaks.

He's the kind of guy who won't get many accolades, either during the Draft process or in the NFL, even should he play for an entire decade...

But he's also the kind of guy who is absolutely essential to Moving The Chains and controlling the Ball ~ in other words: the little things that quietly but decisively increase his team's chances for success in the NFL. Deal!!

Kevin Koger ~ 6.3/264 ~ 6th-7th ~ 7th

Project ~ Potential Starter!! Kevin Koger, all seem to agree, is short on Production ~ having made a big mistake in choosing Michigan ~ but long on Potential.

Indeed, he does possess the Frame to become an effective Blocker and Possession Receiver, neither of which he is, at this point. Fair Value!!

George Bryan ~ 6.5/265 ~ 7th ~ 5th-6th

Potential Starter!! George Bryan is a very effective Run Blocker and a decent Pass Blocker, and while his "40" Time is awful, he commands a remarkable Short Burst, coupled with enough Savvy to consistently get free from Coverage and Move The Chains. Deal!!

Rhett Ellison ~ 6.5/250 ~ 7th ~ 5th-6th

Potential Starter!! Rhett Ellison is raw, both as a Blocker and as a Receiver, but has skills in both aspects.

As a Blocker, he commands mediocre Core Strength, but has the Frame and sufficient Core Flexibility to improve on that, and he's a skilled Technician who works Geometry effectively in his favor, and also brings respectable Lateral Agility to the table.

As a Receiver, his lack of Core Strength hampers his Release, but he brings excellent Dexterity and Fluidity to the table, owns an effective Short Burst, and wins his share of Battles, even with his current lack of Power.

And he's a pretty efficient Navigator, running crispy Routes and displaying sharp Verticity off his breaks.

All in all, a raw Prospect, but nice upside. Deal!!

Chase Ford ~ 6.6/260 ~ 7th ~ 7th

Project!! Chase Ford is hindered as a Blocker by his dubious Core Strength, and as a Receiver by a lack of Short Burst, Verticity out'f'is breaks, or Navigational Precision.

Other than that, he's terrific. Haw.

All he offers at this point, in fact, are some Instincts and Savvy in the Passing Game...and a great Frame to work with. Fair Value!!

 

[Off The Grid]

Wing Backs

Coby Fleener ~ 6.6/245 ~ 1st/2nd ~ 1st

Beast!! Coby Fleener's Core Strength needs a lot of work, but he possesses the Frame, the Coil, and the Core Flexibility to develop it.

And that's a good thing, because his Blocking has a ways to go, not only In Line, but on the move: He's got the Lateral Agility, but the Dexterity isn't there.

In the Receiving Game, on the other hand...the lad brings an intensely impressive Skill Set to the table.

His Release is excellent: He doesn't command much of a Short Burst, but his Core Flexibility, remarkable Fluidity, and tremendous Dexterity make for a formidable adversary to any prospective Jammers.

It's his Navigation, though, that sets Coby Fleener apart from this entire Draft Class.

He carves out his Routes with outstanding precision, and his Acceleration up and down the Gears,his Fluidity and explosive Verticity, bursting out of breaks...and above all his Instincts, Savvy, and sweet Tenacity in boldly challenging the middle of the field all together make for a dangerous constellation of Skills!!

Perhaps most importantly, he displayed all of that at Stanford. What that means: He is already extensively trained in the complicated Diagnostics of a Pro level Offense...and has displayed remarkable expertise.

Orson Charles has been compared, by virtually everyone, to Aaron "The Navigator" Hernandez, due to their virtually identical measurables...And in a few years, that may well become accurate.

But it terms of being ready to make an immediate impact in 2012 ~ as Aaron The Navigator did, in 2010 ~ Charles has a long way to go.

Fleener, on the other hand, could make a tremendous impact in his very first year. In fact, I'd take him against every last Wide Receiver in this entire Draft Class!! His Stock has skyrocketed, but for my money it's still a damned good Value!! Deal!!

Dwayne Allen ~ 6.4/256 ~ 1st-2nd ~ 2nd-3rd

Starter!! Dwayne Allen has spent most of the last year as the nation's top-rated Tight End ~ of either kind. But I don't think that his Skill Set quite justifies that.

As a Blocker, his Core Strength is highly suspect. He'll have a lot of trouble going nose to nose at the next level. However, his Lateral Agility is pretty good, and he should be effective on the move, which is what really counts at Wing Back.

And as a Receiver, his Release off the Line is pretty dubious ~ his Launch Velocity is slow, his Fluidity is poor, his Dexterity ~ Hand Play ~ is raw, and of course his Core Strength is deficient. He commands a pretty explosive Short Burst, though.

Navigation is his Saving Grace: His brings excellent Fluidity to his Route Running, and he commands exceptional Verticity, bursting out of his Breaks.

His Frame indicates "Flex End", but his deficiencies, both in In Line Blocking and in Release, suggest to me that his best bet for success would be as a Wing Back, where he'd be given more space to work with, both in the Blocking Game and in the Receiving Game.

I place an emphatic Premium on both Flex Ends and Wing Backs, as I believe they command tremendous disruptive potential to this Great Game.

But I don't think Dwayne Allen's late 1st Round / early 2nd Round projection is fully warranted. Considering his limitations as a Blocker and in Releasing out of the Blocks, I believe he can only be expected to play effectively as a Wing Back ~ not as a Flex End.

I think he'll be a very effective Possession Receiver, and some help as a Blocker, which are roles I place far more value on than most...but not a 1st Round Value.

As such, I can only justify a 2nd to 3rd Round Value on him, and that, of course, makes him ~ only in my own view, mind you ~ OverRated!!

Orson Charles ~ 6.3/243 ~ 2nd-3rd ~ 2nd

Starter!! Orson Charles is getting a lot of Love as a potential Aaron The Navigator II...The only problem with that popular prognosis is that Charles commands a miniscule fraction of the refinement that Hernandez commanded when he came out two years ago.

Even so: his future offers tremendous upside, should he manage to take command of his considerable Gifts.

As a Blocker, he's definitely not going to blow you away with Core Strength: He should only go nose to nose as a last resort. And he's not exactly a ball of fire as a Blocker in Motion.

But he does possess excellent Core Flexibility, even if his Core Strength is lacking: A Wing Back can't be expected to develop too much beef, of course, as their greatest impact is in the Receiving Game.

His Release is the strongest part of his Receiving Game, as he offers exceptional Launch Velocity, remarkable Fluidity, and dynamic Short Burst.

While much of his Receiving Game is unrefined at this point, this does offer the potential of his making some noise out'f the Slot at an early stage.

As a Navigator, he has a long, long way to go: He carves out sloppy Routes.

Until he learns to master his Routes, he'll probably only draw spot duty, which will greatly disappoint the legions who're expecting him to replicate the rookie year of Aaron The Navigator.

Even so, he brings tremendous Fluidity to the table, and the upside is definitely there.

All in all, we're looking at a gifted athlete with undeniably tremendous upside, but one who is very raw.

I'm not thrilled about his weak Route Tree Diagnostics and what they might suggest about his Tenacity, nor am I delighted with his often FootBall-******ant Hands, which echo the same concern...

But there's no question he's got as much upside as any Wing Back in this Draft Class, and Wing Backs have the 99% untapped capacity to revolutionize this Great Game, when somebody in a position to do something about that realizes this fact.

As such, I give this Boom or Bust High Ceiling/Low Floor Prospect a 2nd Round grade, and call him a Deal!!

Caveat Emptor!!

 

[Off The Grid]

LaDarius Green ~ 6.6/238 ~ 3rd-4th ~ 5th-7th

Reserve!! LaDarius Green offers intoxicating Size + Speed, but I have grave doubts about his being able to convert them to good effect as either a Blocker or a Receiver at the next level.

As a Blocker, his Core Strength is awful, his Core Flexibility is highly suspect, and at 6.6 and about 240 pounds, he should never be asked to block on the Line. Still, he does a solid job blocking in Motion.

As a Receiver, his Release isn't too bad, and he's got an explosive Short Burst, but his Navigation is awful: His Route Running is poor, his Verticity when changing directions is lousy, and his Fluidity is horrible.

There's a very strong chance that this is a guy who's only going to be able to run like Hell and catch the ball, and there's limited need for such a narrow skill set.

As such, I have to give him a 5th-7th Round grade, which makes him, in my view, OverRated!!

Michael Egnew ~ 6.5/250 ~ 4th-5th ~ 4th-5th

Potential Starter!! Michael Egnew is a mystery to me.

The way he played on Tape in 2010, with Blaine Gabbert under Center, on the one hand, and the way he played this year with Gabbert gone, and at the Senior Bowl, last month, are night and day.

In 2010, with Gabbert ~ a Quarter Back for whom I don't hold a very lofty opinion ~ his Navigation was extremely impressive, as he displayed remarkable Fluidity, sharp Verticity out'f'is breaks, and tremendous Acceleration up and down the Gears...

This year, however, including at the Senior Bowl, he looked like FrankenStein, lumbering around out there.

Also: Mizzou ran a Spread, which is certainly not a point in his favor, as he'll be probably be expected to work in much more complicated Offenses at the next level.

He didn't get any work as an In Line Blocker at Missouri, and certainly doesn't command the Core Strength to inspire much confidence that he'll become adept at it at the next level. However, he does have the Frame to build out, should that be asked of him.

But that's not important: As a Wing Back, the vast majority of the blocking he'd be expected to do would be either in Motion or from either the Slot or split out wide, and he was very effective, there.

His Release off the Line is pretty strong.

Egnew paints one of the murkier pictures I've seen, this season.

To sum up: Last year, he commanded exceptional Short Burst, Fluidity, and Verticity out of his breaks. Yet none of that was evident, this year.

I'm going to call him a Potential Starter for now. Fair Value!!

DeAngelo Peterson ~ 6.3/231 ~ 4th-5th ~ 6th-7th

Reserve!! DeAngelo Peterson brings terrific Short Burst to the Game, but not much else.

He's a pretty weak Blocker In Line, and not much better in Motion.

His Navigation is deficient, to say the least: He runs sloppy Routes, and runs them with without conviction.

Even his Hands are in question.

He's got potential to make plays, as long as you don't expect much precision from him. If he were a Split End, I'd give him a UFA grade. OverRated!!

Brian Linthincum ~ 6.4/250 ~ 6th-7th ~ 4th-5th

Potential Starter!! Brian Linthicum is an unremarkable Blocker, but offers substantial value in the Passing Game.

He's not dynamic, by any means, but that isn't what wins Championships. What he is, is a reliably precise Route Runner who Navigates the field effectively and plays with a demonstrably high level of Instincts and Savvy.

He Moves The Chains.

There're health questions, but if he continues to develop as a Motion Blocker and as a Receiver, he could carve out a very important role for himself at the next level. Deal!!

Evan Rodriguez ~ 6.2/243 ~ 6th-7th ~ 1st!!

Beast!! Wow. I absolutely love this guy.

Evan Rodriguez is the best Blocking Wing Back in this Class, and it isn't even close.

He commands terrific Core Strength, he explodes off the Snap, and he's especially deadly on the move, diagnosing his target, quickly engaging, and consistently hitting hard and effectively.

He's a former Safety and a former Quarter Back. Mind you: I admit that I'm a sucker for a Cross Training Resume ~ especially if "Quarter Back" or "Point Guard" is on there!! ~ but the cerebral and athletic development that these suggest can be absolutely invaluable.

As a Receiver, he commands remarkable Navigational prowess, Fluidity, and Instincts.

Rodriguez offers a particular blend of attributes that no other player in this Class offers: a powerfull, slashing Motion Blocker and a smooth, dangerous Receiver. If somebody is smart enough to make full use of all elements of his Game, he could have an enormous impact. Super Sleeper!!

 

[manxman2601]

Coby Fleener just ran a 4.45 at his pro-day. Puts him in Kendall Wright range for a 6'6" TE. First round lock?

 

[patsderoer]

Damn this guy is crazy good. 37" vert to go with his legit 6'6"", and 4.45 40, Fleener can outjump everybody. Had also 27 reps at the bench press combine, showing that he has power and strength.

Absolute steal at 27.
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