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Looking at draft prospects and FA TEs, there are some very interesting moves we could make at this position. I wanted to make a thread separate from the main draft thread to really take a serious look at possible moves on the TE front this offseason.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/tight-end/
Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
Height: 6-4. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
12/3/16: Everett recorded 43 receptions for 648 yards and four touchdowns on the year. In 2015, he had 41 catches for 575 yards and eight touchdowns. Sources have said there is a nice buzz about Everett in the scouting community. They think he is a real receiving weapon for the NFL. Some team sources believe that Everett won't get out of the second round.
Everett is a legitimate receiving tight end prospect for the NFL. He started out his career at UAB and played one season where he caught 17 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown. After UAB ended its football program, Everett transferred to South Alabama.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2017T...4z7fMIurByw.99
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Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas
Height: 6-6. Weight: 255.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2017): 3-5.
12/31/16: In 2016, Sprinkle notched 33 receptions for 380 yards with four touchdowns. He is a good blocker and a functional receiver. Sprinkle is a sleeper tight end who could be a quality value pick.
7/30/16: Hunter Henry received the attention in 2015, but Sprinkle had a very underrated season, catching 27 passes for 389 yards with six touchdowns while also contributing to the Razorbacks' potent rushing offense. Sprinkle played a lot in two-tight end sets for Arkansas. He could rise with more opportunities as a senior.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2017TE.php#SoAU5SG7efS1OJLr.99
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O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Height: 6-6. Weight: 251.
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
12/31/16: In 2016, Howard has 37 catches for 445 yards and two touchdowns. He has improved as a blocker and route-runner during his time at Alabama while continuing to be under-utilized in the passing game. Team sources have said that Howard is grading out as a late first-round pick. He could be a mismatch weapon in the NFL in the passing game while also being a quality blocker to be a three-down starter. Howard has upside and could be a dynamic NFL tight end.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2017TE.php#SoAU5SG7efS1OJLr.99
What about the TE from Virginia Tech?
@Shoes might know about him. :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertSteel
My guy is David Njoku, Miami. Track star turned football player. Freakish athlete who also produced early (and will only get better).
David Njoku**, TE, Miami
Height: 6-4. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
12/31/16: Njoku was excellent for Miami this season. The redshirt sophomore is a dangerous receiver who uses speed to get open and size to make contested catches downfield. He totaled 43 receptions for 698 yards with eight touchdowns and would have put up more production if quarterback Brad Kaaya had been more consistent. Miami also split the tight end targets between Njoku and Chris Herdon IV. As a freshman in 2015, Njoku had 21 catches for 362 yards and a score. He has upside to develop into a receiving threat in the NFL.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2017T...VG62iuSSFfj.99
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Bucky Hodges*, TE, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-7. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
12/31/16: On the season, Hodges totaled 48 catches for 691 yards with seven touchdowns. He is a dangerous receiver who can hurt defenses in the red zone. Hodges needs to improve his blocking for the NFL, but he could be an impactful receiving tight end.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2017TE.php#QxcqXVG62iuSSFfj.99
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All these guys could come in and contribute. I'm more interested in the less 'project' guys. The first 3 I listed from WalterFootball because they are described as already having that NFL play to their game, and are considered good blockers as well. Many of the TEs I've read about it says they need to work on blocking to be a good NFL TE. I haven't looked too closely at those type players yet.
I doubt the Steelers draft a TE on the early rounds, if they draft one at all. A lot depends on Green's health. I feel they are content with James as the starter.
Agreed, Green is the catalyst. If he's done, or damaged goods, due to the concussions, we may take a TE early. I was very high on James at the beginning of the season. I was not as impressed with him at the end. He became on of those guys that catches the ball and immediately falls down. I think Grimble had an injury bug as well. Definitely a position we're thin at right now. Until we know Green's status.
I wouldn't mind getting a TE in round 3 or later due to Green's status being uncertain (Jesse James is good enough that it is not a pressing round 1 or 2 need). No one on the FA list though impresses me. They are all either old or have had unimpressive careers
Green is gone?Quote:
Originally Posted by st33lersguy
I did not mean to say gone, fixed my original postQuote:
Originally Posted by Steeldude
Jesse James stats
RECEIVING STATS SEASON TEAM GP REC TGTS YDS AVG LNG TD FD FUM LST 2015 8 8 11 56 7.0 20 1 2 0 0 2016 16 39 59 338 8.7 24 3 20 0 0 Career 24 47 70 394 8.4 24 4 22 0 0
Xavier Grimble stats
RECEIVING STATS SEASON TEAM GP REC TGTS YDS AVG LNG TD FD FUM LST 2016 12 11 21 118 10.7 20 2 8 0 0 Career 12 11 21 118 10.7 20 2 8 0 0
Ladarius Green stats
Rk Player Team Pos Rec Yds Avg Yds/G Lng TD 20+ 40+ 1st 1st% FUM 1 Travis Kelce KC TE 85 1,125 13.2 70.3 80T 4 14 3 55 64.7 0 2 Rob Gronkowski NE TE 25 540 21.6 67.5 53T 3 12 1 19 76.0 0 3 Greg Olsen CAR TE 80 1,073 13.4 67.1 78T 3 14 1 54 67.5 0 4 Zach Ertz PHI TE 78 816 10.5 58.3 30 4 9 0 42 53.8 0 5 Jimmy Graham SEA TE 65 923 14.2 57.7 42 6 10 2 45 69.2 2 6 Jordan Reed WAS TE 66 686 10.4 57.2 33 6 9 0 41 62.1 1 7 Eric Ebron DET TE 61 711 11.7 54.7 61 1 9 1 37 60.7 0 8 Delanie Walker TEN TE 65 800 12.3 53.3 47 7 13 2 35 53.8 1 9 Kyle Rudolph MIN TE 83 840 10.1 52.5 44 7 11 1 50 60.2 0 10 Ladarius Green PIT TE 18 304 16.9 50.7 37 1 7 0 12 66.7 0
We really need to know if we can count on Ladarius Green.
Watching highlights and game footage of Hodges. Anybody else notice he usually falls immediately after the catch? It's pretty monotonous watching him.
I'm sold on Kittle, the kid blocks like an OT and has good hands. I don't know the extent of his foot injury early in the season.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/col...tight-end-cfb/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZmnwZwnWSc
TE, Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
Strengths
Combination tight end who doesn't have to leave the field. Has arm length and base to help in pass protection. Effective blocker willing to do the physical work. Snaps into down blocks and secures. Strong hands lead to sustained blocks. Able to engage and sustain against safeties in space. Long frame with room to carry more weight. Has arm length and hand size of an NFL offensive tackle. Big, presentable target over the middle. Plus red-zone worker. Sells blocks on delayed-release play-action. Burrows into holes of zone and protects passes with his frame. Goes down to pick low throws off top of grass. Sneaky build-up of speed in routes. Long strides eat up ground as route progresses. Can pull away from linebackers on intermediate routes. Uses height, arm length, and high-point technique to go way up the ladder and over top of defenders. Nasty stiff-arm after catch. Above-average body control for size. Weaknesses
Needs more work on arm day in the gym. Upper-body thickness hasn't caught up with frame yet. Feet a bit heavy out of release and into routes. Legs and arms flail away into some of his breaks. Below-average at utilizing route leverage to create additional throwing room for quarterbacks. Needs to adjust crossing routes to keep defenders on his hip. Lacks short-area quickness to make defenders miss after catch. Needs to work back to ball more often. If block assignment vacates, he doesn't find new work. Instincts as blocker need work as he appears lost at times. Hand placement is average. Ankle injury limited his effectiveness for about a month. Sources Tell Us
"I think Sprinkle is a much better blocker (than Michigan's Jake Butt) and he's got more of an NFL body type." -- NFC South regional scout NFL Comparison
Larry Donnell Bottom Line
True "Y" tight end with outstanding length and a frame that can handle more weight. Has the toughness to be an NFL blocker, but might need to add more upper- and lower-body strength before he's ready. He's a big, reliable target in the red zone and underneath against zone, but needs a longer runway to create separation in his routes. Sprinkle isn't great in any one area, but he's good in most and should be a safe pick and quality starter in the league. -Lance Zierlein
This is still my favorite of the TE class. Ready to start day 1.
Kittles is the TE to pick, IMO. He is probably the most sound and most ready for the NFL.
George Kittle
STRENGTHS
Has broad shoulders and waist with a durable frame. Plays in pro-style attack and approaches blocking like an offensive lineman. Comes off the ball with good pad level and strikes with leverage and hands inside opponent's frame. Blocks with good technique and has footwork to get to reach blocks and combos. Hands are confident and sure with just one drop against 48 catches. Able to make sudden body adjustments to poorly thrown balls. Flashes vertical speed to become a seam worker. Physical runner after the catch with more wiggle than you would expect.
WEAKNESSES
Patterns are inconsistent and he rarely tilts defenders at the top of his routes. Could generate better separation with improved route leverage. Route breaks can be too easy to decipher. Plays fast but seems to be missing separation burst coming out of his breaks. Needs to work back to the ball harder in space. Allows defenders a pathway to the throw rather than sealing them out of the passing lane. Has tendency to keep weight too far forward as run blocker creating opportunity for defender to pull him off-balance.NFL COMPARISONCharles Clay
BOTTOM LINE
H-back type who lacks the desired size for in-line blocking but certainly has the technique and willingness to do it. He has good hands and flashes an ability to challenge as a pass catcher on all three levels. Kittle has the athleticism and blocking ability to become an effective move tight end if paired in the right system.
Evan Engram Ole Miss. I can you imagine him with Ben, Brown, Bell, and Eli. Bring back Bryant and Oh My!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN1GDwfKN-g
He might be more of a large WR than a TE, due to his thin frame and inability to block.Quote:
Originally Posted by BurghBoy412
Even if they get him I wouldn't say the offense will excel. So many thought that last season. I will wait to see.