After we last discussed Haiku Naruto, I started looking around: he's a legit R1 prospect. (It's not just us who likes him.)
OJ Howard is still considered the top TE. Probably because of his size and projection to the NFL (projection, because his stats are underwhelming due to having a freshman QB who couldn't hit the side of a barn).
Jake Butt was a possible late R1/early R2 pick, but he got injured in his bowl game.
Bucky Hodges... well... I've heard about him from Shoes.
OJ Howard reminds me of Jimmy Graham
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I think the 2017 TE draft class is stacked better than the last few years.
http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2016/1...y-position-te/
I'm taking Bucky Hodges, he's a better Ladarius Green and comes at a much cheaper price. If he's available in R3 I'd take him in a minute.
When it comes to ranking the top pass-catchers in college football, Southern Cal wideout Juju Smith-Schuster and Michigan tight end Jake Butt get plenty of attention and for good reason. In terms of the size, speed and strength package, however, Virginia Tech's Hodges might just be the freakiest pass-catcher in the country -- which is precisely why NFL scouts will be flocking to Blackburg this fall to watch the junior tight end.
More here..
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/n...ky-as-it-gets/
Last edited by Shoes; 01-11-2017 at 11:15 PM.
From what I have read on Howard, he's a good pass catcher that can line block also. Graham doesn't block, or gets a hold penalty when he tries. At least that was the case in N.O. Howard or Leggett are the only 2 TEs I have found in this draft that fit how we use TEs. I really don't think we will go TE in the 1st this draft anyway, but with ALL the other teams desperate for a QB, we may have a very tough choice to make in those early rounds. Many top 10 guys may fall to round 2 even.
Jordan Leggett
Justin Fuente had a walk on TE named Alan Cross when he coached at Memphis. Cross was instrumental in Paxton Lynch's offense, and now plays for the Buccs. VT may be a program to watch closely for TE prospects in the future also. Coach Fuente seems to be able to find good ones.
When I was at, then Memphis State, we had a pretty good rivalry with VT, especially in basketball. Looking back, that old Metro conference could have really been something. VT, Florida State, Louisville, Cincy, Memphis, South Carolina, and GT. How the times have changed.
From CBSSports: Green is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Green has been out since mid-December with a concussion, making his status for Sunday's AFC championship game in New England very cloudy. If Green is unable to pass the league's concussion protocol before then, Jesse James should yet again see a majority of the Steelers' tight end targets, as he recorded five catches for 83 yards against the Chiefs in the divisional round.
There is a good chance Green will be forced into retirement at the end of the season, otherwise he needs to give back his signing bonus.
All Defense!
That could get tricky with regard to recovery of the bonus - Steelers knew he had a concussion history - question is if he lied about any ongoing symptoms during contract negotiations
FWIW Ed Bouchette of the P-G thinks he is done for at least this season
Hi Ed, do you think we've seen the last of Ladarius Green this year? And if he were to play this week, could he fit right back into the offense after not playing since week 15?
Ed Bouchette: Yes and no to your two-part question.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201701170109
Nothing against him personally, but this has to be up there as one of the worst free agent signings in Steelers history.
It could surely happen. I think Green is a big question mark, in fact I'd be shocked if he came back next year. The first TE in last years draft, Henry went in R2. I think Howard will go first (R1) and its possible Njohu and Butt (even with an ACL injury) will go before Hodges. That could put Hodges at R3 or even R4. I snatch him at R3 in heart beat and the added hope here is we know Tomlin is aware of him. Should be interesting.
I just saw David Jeremiah's Top 50 list...
Njoku is #13
That seals it for me. If he's there at 32, I take him.
I hope Green gets back to full health and can come back and be a contributor for us. Seems like a decent guy, just has had the worst of luck with injuries and when they're of the concussion variety, that's never a good thing. I hope we can get him back against the Patriots, if anything he takes pressure off of Antonio Brown because defenses have to account for his presence.
"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player, and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler." Jack Lambert, 1990 HoF Introduction.
Yeah that was a fun game to watch. Showed us exactly what Green can add to an offense. His speed, and pass catching abilities are world class for a TE, I just wish he could stay healthy. Jesse James has held down the fort since Green's injury, but he's not the kind of guy that can run down the field and take the top off of a defense. If we could get Green back for the AFC Championship Game, I think that'd open up things for guys like Brown, Rogers, Hamilton, and DHB.
"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player, and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler." Jack Lambert, 1990 HoF Introduction.
From cbs today. Green limited work at practice
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Steelers' Ladarius Green: Limited at practice Wednesday
By RotoWire Staff 1h ago • 1 min read
Green (concussion) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.
After not practicing at all last week and then missing the Steelers' playoff win over the Chiefs, this is a step in the right direction for Green. It remains to be seen what level of medical clearance the tight end has gained at this stage, but his presence at practice Wednesday, in any capacity, offers hope that he could potentially return to action for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Patriots.
Green needs to shut it down for now. Just my opinion. I know it's been a long while that he's been dealing with this and we all want him to play and contribute, but his health moving forward has to be the most important thing. If he does play Sunday, he could be putting himself in needless danger of real damage. I'm not his doctor so again, just my opinion. See you at training camp.
My guess is that if we beat the Taperiots, he will dress for the SuperBowl.
Otherwise, they would have IR'ed him already.
I feel like he does play he might havr stone hands not being in yhe action for about a month