Tight Ends in Draft

[dognipples69]

I think that a tight end completly opens up an offense and may be the must underrated position on offense.. I think Bledose would also benefit...

[Psychosis]

He benefited having Ben Coates. He'll benefit with a good TE unless he finds a way to screw up by himself. The offense could use a good TE and I think Ben Troupe has a chance of falling to the 2nd. If so we snatch him.

[JKJK]

I really agree on both points. Who would you take though? Winslow is small and can't block. (yeah, I know- everybody loves his receiving ability). Winslow will be gone anyway by 13. Troupe needs to gain strength and learn to block. He'll probably be gone by 13 also. How would you feel about Ben Watson?

Originally posted by dognipples69
I think that a tight end completly opens up an offense and may be the must underrated position on offense.. I think Bledose would also benefit...

[TheAnswer74]

It matters what offense we run. If we have an Offense that uses the TE then it will help Bledsoe but if we have an offense that doesnt then it wont.

I think Mularkey will use the TE alot and then alot more, and maybe even alittle bit more after that in nest year. Meaning that our TE will have a major role. If Im right, the Bills will trade down and draft a TE or Trade up and draft Winslow. That might just be their plan.

[Figurita20]

Originally posted by TheAnswer74
It matters what offense we run. If we have an Offense that uses the TE then it will help Bledsoe but if we have an offense that doesnt then it wont.

I think Mularkey will use the TE alot and then alot more, and maybe even alittle bit more after that in nest year. Meaning that our TE will have a major role. If Im right, the Bills will trade down and draft a TE or Trade up and draft Winslow. That might just be their plan.

That is the question, what will be the TE's role in MM's offense?
If I'm not mistaken the system MM run in Pittsburgh never emphasized the use of TE's in the passing game, obviously they had three good WRs but their TEs were OLs first and then receivers.
If that is the case I think we should go after guys like Dugan or Peters if they're available in the 3rd round.

[Dr. Atomic]

I'll betcha the TE is named Ben. Ben Troupe, Ben Watson, Ben Utecht, or Ben Hartsock.

What's with all the Bens at Tight Ends?

[TheAnswer74]

Originally posted by Dr. Atomic
I'll betcha the TE is named Ben. Ben Troupe, Ben Watson, Ben Utecht, or Ben Hartsock.

What's with all the Bens at Tight Ends?

Yeah, If they draft a TE I would put money on his first name being Ben.

[Pablo]

never thought of that "Ben" angle...I agree a TE could be a fairly pick, since there still is a need for TE depth on the Bills roster.

[K-Gun]

Ben Watson!!! He just ran a 4.44 at his pro day workout... He is faster than Mike Williams(4.62) and Larry Fitzgerald(4.63)!!!

just read his profile at: http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/ben_watson

"Has the speed and size to create mismatches vs. smaller defenders on deep routes (not used much on deep routes, though)" maybe he should get used to going deep!

the negatives say he has poor blocking technique... we need a TE who can block, but maybe McNally is just what teh Dr. ordered? his bench press is listed at 550lbs. but they say this strength isn't always translated to teh football field because of poor technique...

[TheAnswer74]

Originally posted by Jim Kelly is God
Ben Watson!!! He just ran a 4.44 at his pro day workout... He is faster than Mike Williams(4.62) and Larry Fitzgerald(4.63)!!!

just read his profile at: http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/ben_watson

"Has the speed and size to create mismatches vs. smaller defenders on deep routes (not used much on deep routes, though)" maybe he should get used to going deep!

the negatives say he has poor blocking technique... we need a TE who can block, but maybe McNally is just what teh Dr. ordered? his bench press is listed at 550lbs. but they say this strength isn't always translated to teh football field because of poor technique...

TE's that can block are easier to find then TE's that can run downfield.

[swami jr]

Our head coach was a tight end...

Watson has freak like workout numbers, I mean it's insane. crazy. However, I don't recall seeing the guy play, or hearing his name durring the season, and his numbers weren't that good. I know, I know, numbers don't tell the whole story with tight ends, but don't you think we should have (maybe we did, feel free to tell me I'm wrong) heard the name of such an athlete uttered by the Gameday crew if he's from a National Championchip contending team? It's just a little weird I think. Again, I know he's a tight end, and it's not a glamor position so they don't get attention anyway, but still.

Surprise! The OSU student thinks Hartsock will be a good TE. One concern is his likely jouney to medical school. When he does it is the question. Ithink he is a solid overall TE. Hartsock is similar to Chris Perry (though I don't really like him as a prospect) in the respect that he is sort of the can-do-everything guy that isn't exactly the one to give defensive coordinators nightmares BEFORE the game. He has secure hands, and can block in-line and second level. He isn't a huge mismatch or anything but is good at finding soft spots in zones in the passing game.

Troupe is a guy that I heard about, but never really watched him play, eventhough I saw Florida a couple times. I also think he is a difficult player to evaluat through scouting reports. They say he's a finesse player, but that he'll be able to compensate for it with his athleticism. Then they say he needs more awarness in his route running against zones, and he's a TE that has been good at YAC, but doesn't break tackles. I'm not saying they're contradicting themselves, I'm just saying it's hard to say how that translates to the NFL. Therefore, I don't want to pass definitive judgement on him.

Ben Utecht I don't want. He's not a good blocker, and doesn't scare anyone as a reciever. He's like Bobby Collins, but not as fast.

Winslow I like. Everyone knows about Winslow (like him or not), no need to go further.

Kris Wilson seems like a Alge Crumpler style player. However, I don't think he's quite as good of an athlete. I don't think he will compete well in the NFL, as he will simply be physically overmatched in every offensive aspect.

Jeff Dugan from Maryland is essentially Mark Bruener. His feel for the passing game isn't exaclty there, but he is a tough son of a gun. He will fight and bruise his way after the catch. Though he can't sepparate or find soft spots he has good hands (though I don't know how much that matters if he can't get open). He is a nasty blocker and will work untill he is done. He is a little small, 6-4, 260, for a nasty blocker, but he can get the job done.

Another blocking type is Jason Peters, he has been well documented at 315+ (318) with a sub 5 (4.9) 40. At Arkansas he opened up holes for Cedric Cobbs, and has tremendous strength/size. He is worth a look if nothing else.

Two recieving types are Chris Cooley from Utah State and Casey Cramer from Dartmouth. They both performed well catching the ball in post-season all star games. Neither is much to speak of as a blocker and neither are phenominal athletes. They both are natural recievers however and have enough size/athleticism to get by in the recieving game.

[dognipples69]

I love the idea of taking a tight end with the first pick, even if we have to move up, mularkey was a tight end, he could do wonders probably even for a guy like KWJ, it would be a good addition,

[JKJK]

I forgot that Mularkey was a tight end. You'd think he would really know how to get the most out of that position.

Originally posted by dognipples69
I love the idea of taking a tight end with the first pick, even if we have to move up, mularkey was a tight end, he could do wonders probably even for a guy like KWJ, it would be a good addition,

[finsrclowns]

If Winslow slipped obviously you'd take him. He may be in the HOF some day like his dad.

But I would rate the need for a TE 4th on my list of priorities behind OG, WR and DE. Therefore I would trade down to get more picks and take "half a loaf" on the DE and TE fronts.

Assume we trade down to around 26 and take Smiley, Carey or Grove. Assuming it's done in 2 trades, that should net a late 2nd and a late 3rd. Use our 4th to trade up 5 spots to snag Jenkins or Henderson at WR. Trade the other 2nd down into the early third for a 4th. That gives us 3 3rds. Use the first third on DE Jason Babin, the 2nd on TE Ben Utecht and the 3rd on QB Matt Schaub.

Babin and Utecht could fill immediate needs: situational pass rusher and 3rd down receiver at TE. Both have the potential to be starters down the road. Utecht has size and is one of those guys that just gets open, which is what we need. But TD likes Campbell quite a bit so I really doubt TE is in the cards in the first 2 rounds.

[K-Gun]

Originally posted by swami jr
Our head coach was a tight end...

Watson has freak like workout numbers, I mean it's insane. crazy. However, I don't recall seeing the guy play, or hearing his name durring the season, and his numbers weren't that good.

thats not true, his numbers are almost identical to Troupe's...

Watson:37 games (26 starts) 65 catches for 852 yards (13.6 avg.) 7 TD's

Troupe: 39 games (20 starts)64 receptions for 958 yards (14.9 avg.) 7 Td's

[kdhammond]

I question whether a fast "receiving" TE that is a poor blocker is any more valuable that a decent #3 WR.

There are very few TEs that are even as good a receiver as Bobby Shaw. If the TE can't block, is it any better than taking out your blocking TE and putting in a third WR?

I only mention this because #3 WRs are in general less expensive than starting "pass catching" TEs. And the combo of a blocking TE with a #3 WR will not cost as much in high draft choices to acquire.

Just a different perspective...

[K-Gun]

Originally posted by kdhammond
I question whether a fast "receiving" TE that is a poor blocker is any more valuable that a decent #3 WR.

There are very few TEs that are even as good a receiver as Bobby Shaw. If the TE can't block, is it any better than taking out your blocking TE and putting in a third WR?

I only mention this because #3 WRs are in general less expensive than starting "pass catching" TEs. And the combo of a blocking TE with a #3 WR will not cost as much in high draft choices to acquire.

Just a different perspective...

true, but it doesn't say anywhere that the top TE prospects are poor blockers. They all need to work on thier technique at the next level.

i have a feeling though that a TE with wr speed is going to be more productive in the recieving game being covered by a LB than the #3 wr by the nickel back... And if the TE requires a saftey to cover him that would be really disruptive to the defense.

[kdhammond]

Originally posted by Jim Kelly is God
true, but it doesn't say anywhere that the top TE prospects are poor blockers. They all need to work on thier technique at the next level.

i have a feeling though that a TE with wr speed is going to be more productive in the recieving game being covered by a LB than the #3 wr by the nickel back... And if the TE requires a saftey to cover him that would be really disruptive to the defense.

Good points and I agree to some extent. I wasn't specifically talking about guys like Winslow, Troupe and Watson.

I was more referring to all-catch no-block guys like Ben Utecht and Kris Wilson. Both were highly productive receiving TEs in college, but were not good blockers in college and project to be worse in the pros. With guys like those, I'd take Shaw as my 3rd receiver over them. There isn't anything to say that a defense wouldn't cover those guys with a nickel DB instead of a LB anyway, since the defensive trade off of removing a LB is about even with the offense getting no blocking out of the TE.

[Psychosis]

If Troupe and Watson are gone, then i'd consider Keith Willis out of Virginia Tech in the 6th round.

[RyDorf]

The question is, will Bledsoe use Campbell the way he used Coates? Campbell has serious talent that needs to be used more. He is WAY underrated and under-used.

[mykiljonz]

I do not think it will be Bledsoe's call on if he uses a TE or not anyway. I think MM will be calling all or almost all of the plays. I cannot see MM letting Drew call plays like Kelly was able to. This will be MM's offense first, and Drew's second, make no mistake about that. He was brought in because of this.

So it is all up in the air on and fully dependant on MM's offense. I think if we see a TE drafted high, we can all be pretty sure the TE will be a decent part of the offense this year. If NO TE is drafted, or drafted very low, than blocking is what the TE will be used for mostly.

If the O-line does not do a lot better job, a blocking TE is needed more. I do not care if Sharpe or Gonzalez is the TE, with Bledsoe on his BUTT, the TE will not get a chance for a play anyway.

[Buffalobro22]

Originally posted by JKJK
I really agree on both points. Who would you take though? Winslow is small and can't block. (yeah, I know- everybody loves his receiving ability). Winslow will be gone anyway by 13. Troupe needs to gain strength and learn to block. He'll probably be gone by 13 also. How would you feel about Ben Watson?

I don't see anybody taking Ben Troupe in the top 12 of the draft at all. Where do you think he would go.

[mykiljonz]

No way does someone take Troupe in the top 12. There are just way too many players much better.

You could just trade down and get him in the MUCH lower first, maybe top of the 2nd.