I hate this logic. While I admit the tight end landscape in round 1 isn't the prettiest, saying "Graham and Gronk weren't taking in round 1" is irrelevant. Vernon Davis, Jason Witten, Heath Miller and others are all good players and were taken in round 1. What if I said you can't take a receiver in round 1, named a ton of WR busts, and said because Brandon Marshall, Vincent Jackson, Steve Smith, Jordy Nelson, Marques Colston, Greg Jennings, Randall Cobb and Pierre Garcon weren't 1st rounders, we could wait?
I like your picks (in particular would love to see Van Noy still available in the 3rd). Two things: while Abbrederis is a shifty s.o.b and a little more stout than Zack Rogers, I'm wondering if he's got it "build-wise" for the long haul in today's NFL and as for Jimmy Ward, think we could maybe sneak him in as a 4th round pick?
The problem with that plan is based on what I've seen projected (and I know it's still early and just CBS' projection, but Dion Bailey is projected as a 4th round pick. Following the Combine, he could move up to the 3rd or even the 2nd round, stay put or drop. Davante Adams is projected by CBS as a 2nd round pick, and according to the Star Ledger's quotation of several of the "experts", he could rise to a 1st round pick by the time of the draft. In fact, some are projecting him there now. They said as many as 7 WRs could go in the first round. Ironically, only one, McShay, projects Cooks as a 1st round pick, the rest see him as an early 2nd round pick. I don't think Kareem Martin is projecting to OLB, either. I like all the players you mention, but imo we don't really have a need for Martin except as a possible DE backup, and I'm not even sure he projects as a 3-4 DE. I almost forgot. Van Noy is projected by CBS as a first or second round pick and Ward is projected as a 2nd round pick.
I'll be honest here with Niklas....I am absolutely shocked he's gotten 2nd round considerations. I never thought he was that impressive. Now albeit he took over for Eifert this past year after being a backup. He's a pretty good blocker and can surprise you with his pass catching but I question if he can get separation in the pro level enough to work as someone's number one TE. Often games this year he didn't really do much and that TJ Jones was the guy moving the chains along with the freshman Robinson(The Admiral's son). Now the two things Niklas has going for him and I think teams will see this are: 1) He's fresh. Mentioned he backed up Eifert, doesn't have too much wear and tear so he's pretty good in that regard. 2) Tommy Rees really held him back from getting a chance to show anything. I don't want to keep blaming Rees here and there but he was just lousy last season. I really wanted to see Niklas with Golson which is why I wanted him to come back this year. Rees really only threw to Jones consistently. Now whether Niklas was open or Rees just blew it we shall see but I do think the ineptitude at quarterback screwed Niklas over from a stat department. I think he can be the perfect no.2 TE...but a starter, no less a star? I never thought of Niklas as this solid/very good TE, not like I did with Rudolph and Eifert. I think he's more like a higher upside John Carlson.
This offense is so anemic, we'll never know how good Geno can be without some weapons for him to move the ball around too. I'd love to see this draft go offense with the first three picks. Round 1: Eric Ebron - TE Round 2: Landry/Cooks/Robinson - WR Round 3 (First selection): C.J. Fiedorowicz - TE I know certain people will disagree with this, some will say that we could be reaching for players. I think this is going truly going to be a decisive year for the Jets, and as commentators say over and over again, "The Jets have no pro bowl weapons on offense."
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/marcel-jensen?id=2543713 Marcel Jensen TE Fresno St. Grade 5.26 ? 4.85 SEC 24 REPS 35.0 INCH Top Performer 115.0 INCH 7.38 SEC 4.60 SEC Blue Star = Top Performer 6'6" Height 34 7/8" Arm Length 259LBS. Weight 9 7/8" Hands Overview 2013: Second-team All-MWC selection after playing in all 13 games and making nine starts. Had career bests in receptions (26) and receiving yards (353). 2012: Honorable mention All-MWC pick after playing in all 13 games and making eight starts. Led team with a 17.0 yards-per-catch average. 2011: Played in 10 games, starting in one. 2010: Appeared in two games. 2009: Redshirted. High school: Played defensive end as a senior. Was also a standout basketball player, earning defensive basketball player of the year honors, league most valuable player runner-up, first-team all-league and first team all-city. Analysis Strengths Looks every bit the part with outstanding size, including vines for arms. Big target. Smooth off the line for his size. Surprising speed to stretch the field. Can use physicality and his frame to outmuscle smaller DBs. Can adjust to throws and has good hands. Turns upfield with a head of steam. Gets after it in the run game -- engages with leverage and works to position, sustain and finish. Lines up in-line and flexed. Smart and coachable. Arrow pointing up. Weaknesses Needs to get stronger -- has untapped body power and potential as an in-line blocker. Shows some hip tightness in his route running. Is more advanced with linear routes than sharp-breaking patterns. Ordinary creativity and elusiveness. Relatively raw -- still honing technique and developing positional instincts and nuances. At times looks like he’s thinking instead of reacting. Average production. Bottom Line Strapping, athletic, long-armed, ascending talent who did not play a starring role in a run-and-gun, receiver-dominated spread offense, but has raw physical tools to develop into a balanced “Y” tight end. Should only get better and has potential to become an asset in the running game and a mismatch in the passing game. -Nolan Nawrocki
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/c.j.-fiedorowicz?id=2543721 C.J. Fiedorowicz TE Iowa Grade 5.5 ? 4.76 SEC 25 REPS Top Performer 31.5 INCH 116.0 INCH 7.10 SEC Top Performer 4.26 SEC Top Performer Blue Star = Top Performer 6'5" Height 33" Arm Length 265LBS. Weight 10 1/4" Hands Overview 2013: First-team All-Big Ten. Finished season with career-high six touchdowns. 2012: Honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. Started all 12 games. 2011: Played in all 13 games and made five starts. 2010: Played in all 13 games. Analysis Strengths Has outstanding size and big hands. Has size to widen the hole or seal defensive ends. Good balance and body control for his size. Surprising lower-body flexibility to sink his hips to run sharp-angle routes. Has stature and enough speed to threaten the seam. Understands how to use his frame and physicality to create subtle separation. Makes athletic hands catches off his frame. Sizable catch radius. Shows toughness and concentration in traffic. Lowers his shoulder to deliver a blow after the catch. Can line up in-line or split out. Smart and durable. Weaknesses Builds to average speed. Fairly straight-linish athlete. Not elusive after the catch. Can improve as a move blocker and develop more of a mean streak to finish blocks. Average production. Could stand to adopt a more blue-collar work ethic when people aren’t watching -- is not a self-starter and has been able to cruise on his rare size and natural ability. Bottom Line Big-framed, linear and dependable, Fiedorowicz looks the part and has balanced skills to be a legitimate “Y” tight end in the pros. Is an asset as a competitive blocker and as a sure-handed receiver. Will be in demand in a relatively thin tight ends class. -Nolan Nawrocki
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jace-amaro?id=2543481 Jace Amaro TE Texas Tech Grade 5.4 ? 4.74 SEC Top Performer 28 REPS Top Performer 33.0 INCH Top Performer 118.0 INCH Top Performer 7.42 SEC 4.30 SEC Top Performer 12.26 SEC Top Performer Blue Star = Top Performer 6'5" Height 34" Arm Length 265LBS. Weight 9" Hands More Combine Video Overview 2013: First-team All-American pick and first-team All-Big 12 selection. Was also a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award and Biletnikoff Award. Finished tied for eighth in FBS with 106 receptions. Set FBS all-time record with 1,352 yards for a tight end. 2012: Played in seven games and started six. Missed six games due to lacerated spleen/internal bleeding suffered from a hit against West Virginia. Was ejected from 2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl for throwing a punch. Was arrested in March of 2012 for using a credit card at a bar without his name on it. 2011: Played in 12 games but did not start. Analysis Strengths Excellent size with a well-proportioned frame and room for added bulk. Releases cleanly into routes. Moves like an oversized receiver. Good balance. Enough foot speed to stretch the seam. Good hands to extend and catch. Gives effort as a move blocker and can block out defensive backs. Flashes nastiness. Historic one-year production. Weaknesses Was used as an inside receiver and lacks the bulk, base strength and body power to match up with NFL defensive ends. Is unsudden (average acceleration) and lacks elite top-end speed. Upright, unrefined route runner -- shows hip and ankle stiffness in and out of breaks. Struggles to consistently separate. Fairly straight-linish after the catch. Ordinary run strength. Production was inflated by scheme and poor pass defenses. Bottom Line Highly productive, finesse, detached tight end who racked up 106 receptions for 1,352 yards (12.8) and seven TDs as a junior when he was essentially an inside receiver for the Red Raiders. Will have to play a similar role in the pros, as he is not equipped to survive in-line. -Nolan Nawrocki
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/austin-seferian-jenkins?id=2543683 TE21 Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE Washington Grade 5.5 ? 20 REPS 6'5" Height 33 3/4" Arm Length 262LBS. Weight 9 3/4" Hands More Combine Video Overview 2013: Was a John Mackey Award winner (nation's top tight end), third-team All-American and a second-team All-Pac-12 pick. Set career school records for most receptions (146), receiving yards (1,840) and touchdown receptions (21) by a tight end. Was suspended for 2013 season opener vs. Boise State following a DUI in March. 2012: Second-team All-Pac-12 pick and a John Mackey Award semifinalist. Started in all 13 games. 2011: Honorable mention All-Pac-12 pick after playing in all 13 games and making 10 starts. Misc.: Also played basketball at Washington, becoming the first Washington Huskie to play both basketball and football since Nate Robinson (football in 2002, basketball from 2003-05) and 19th Huskie overall to play both sports. Analysis Strengths Looks the part. Has outstanding size and stature -- presents a big target and dwarfs defensive backs. Uses physicality to create separation and can post up in the red zone. Athletic -- spent time on the UW basketball team. Terrific movement skills and receiving ability for a big man. Surprising foot speed and agility -- stretches the seam. Adjusts to throws and has soft hands. Has potential to be an effective in-line blocker -- has size and core strength to seal defensive ends. Weaknesses Could stand to sculpt his physique and get functionally stronger. Work in progress as an in-line blocker. Not an explosive athlete. Ordinary release. Builds to speed. Tight hips. Does not pop out of breaks. Limited elusiveness after the catch. Receptions and yards fell off by nearly 50 percent as a junior. Character and stability need to be looked into. Bottom Line An intriguing height-weight-speed prospect, Seferian-Jenkins has all the tools to be a legitimate No. 1 tight end in the NFL, though he has to maintain focus and consistency and continue improving as a blocker. -Nolan Nawrocki
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jake -murphy?id=2543674 Jake Murphy TE Utah Grade 5.1 ? 4.79 SEC 24 REPS 33.0 INCH 114.0 INCH 7.18 SEC Top Performer 4.27 SEC Top Performer Blue Star = Top Performer 6'4" Height 31 3/4" Arm Length 249LBS. Weight 10" Hands Overview Son of two-time National League MVP (1982-83) Dale Murphy. 2013: Played in eight games and started seven. Missed four games after breaking wrist vs. UCLA. 2012: An honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection. Played in all 12 games and started five. 2011: Played in 10 games and started two. 2010: Redshirted. Analysis Strengths Dependable short-to-intermediate receiver. Adjusts to throws and has good, quick hands for a tight end -- catches off his body. Functional as a back-side hinge blocker or move blocker. Has athletic bloodlines -- father is 1982-83 National League MVP Dale Murphy. Weaknesses Lethargic release. Can be jammed up and rerouted off the line of scrimmage. Average speed. Stiff movement. Unrefined route runner -- tends to drift. In-line blocking needs work. Gets overpowered at the point of attack. Could stand to play with more intensity. Ordinary production. Is not especially strong for an overaged prospect. Will be a 25-year-old rookie (served a two-year LDS mission). Bottom Line Overaged, fairly athletic tight end/H-back who grew out of the receiver position. Missed four games as a junior because of a broken wrist and made a premature decision to leave school early in order to support his wife and daughter. Sure hands are his only standout trait. -Nolan Nawrocki
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/a.c.-leonard?id=2543659 A.C. Leonard TE Tennessee St. Grade 5.03 ? 4.50 SEC Top Performer 20 REPS 34.0 INCH Top Performer 128.0 INCH Top Performer Blue Star = Top Performer 6'2" Height 33" Arm Length 252LBS. Weight 9 1/4" Hands Overview 2013: Second-team FCS All-American selection and second-team All-OVC pick after playing in 12 games and making six starts. 2012: Second-team FCS All-American pick and first-team All-OVC selection after playing in 10 games and starting eight. Was arrested in February of 2012 for misdemeanor battery after altercation with live-in girlfriend. Was also cited in May of 2012 for driving with a suspended license. 2011: Played in nine games and started four at Florida. Analysis Strengths Releases quickly into routes. Relatively loose athlete with nice balance. Good speed to stretch the seam and separate on crossers. Soft hands -- can extend to catch off his frame. Shakes tacklers and creates yards after the catch. Flashes mismatch and playmaking ability. Lined up all over. Weaknesses Marginal size, bulk and strength to block in-line. Will be overpowered by NFL defensive ends -- struggles to sustain, lets defenders cross his face and is not a finisher. Could stand to sharpen his route running and field awareness. Swings the ball loosely away from his body and fumbled three times in 2013. Marginal competition. Character, maturity and stability need to be investigated. Bottom Line A highly touted recruit who began his college career at Florida, Leonard is an athletic, one-dimensional, "move" tight end with good hands and run-after-catch ability. Will have to convince decision-makers of his trustworthiness, and will go as far as his receiving ability takes him. -Nolan Nawrocki
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/troy-niklas?id=2543628 Troy Niklas TE Notre Dame Grade 5.65 ? 27 REPS Top Performer 32.0 INCH 114.0 INCH 7.57 SEC 4.55 SEC 12.19 SEC Top Performer Blue Star = Top Performer 6'6" Height 34 1/8" Arm Length 270LBS. Weight 10" Hands More Combine Video Overview 2013: Started all 13 games and was a first-team All-Independent pick and a John Mackey Award semifinalist. 2012: Transitioned from outside linebacker to tight end during spring practice. Played in 13 games and started seven at tight end. 2011: Played in 12 games and started one at outside linebacker. Misc.: His uncle is Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews. His nickname is Hercules. Analysis Strengths Outstanding size with a well-proportioned, muscular build. Big target over the middle and in the red zone. Athletic with flexible hips and knees to run the full tight end route tree. Bursts into routes and stretches the seam. Good hands. Has playmaking ability. Lined up flexed and in-line. Good potential as a blocker. Bends his knees, shuffles and fans rushers wide. Works well in tandem and can combo block effectively. Takes care of his body and maintains low body fat. Has NFL bloodlines. Weaknesses Work in progress as an in-line blocker -- lacks ideal base strength, grip strength and overall body power. Bends at the waist and falls off some blocks. Route running needs refinement. Is still learning to use his frame advantageously -- inconsistent traffic player. Lacks elite top-end speed. Average elusiveness and creativity after the catch. Could stand to play with more physicality and become a better finisher. Bottom Line A converted DE/OLB who emerged from the shadow of Bengals 2013 first-rounder Tyler Eifert, Niklas is the latest in a line of NFL tight ends produced by Notre Dame. He boasts an intriguing combination of size, athleticism, receiving ability and blocking ability to develop into a bona fide, balanced, No. 1 tight end. Has played tight end for just two years and arrow is pointing up. -Nolan Nawrocki
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/arthur-lynch?id=2543714 Arthur Lynch TE Georgia Grade 5.1 ? 4.82 SEC 28 REPS Top Performer 29.5 INCH 116.0 INCH 7.38 SEC 4.35 SEC Blue Star = Top Performer 6'5" Height 32 1/2" Arm Length 258LBS. Weight 10 1/8" Hands Overview 2013: First-team All-SEC selection after playing in 12 games and making 11 starts. 2012: Played in all 14 games and made 13 starts. Earned the team's Most Improved Player award. 2011: Played in all 14 games with one start. 2010: Redshirted. 2009: Played in 11 games with one start. Analysis Strengths Good size. Functional short-to-intermediate target. Can adjust to throws and extend to catch. Strong and competitive after the catch. Willing to engage and compete as an in-line blocker. Has special-teams experience. Hardworking and football smart. Tough and durable. Team captain. Weaknesses Needs to develop more finishing strength -- not yet ready to match physically 1-on-1 with NFL defensive ends. Can improve his base and leverage. Average quickness off the line. Pedestrian foot speed. Tight hips. Unsudden -- cannot separate. Shaky hands (too many drops). Needs to improve his route running. Straight-linish after the catch. Thinks he’s better than he is. Bottom Line Big, competitive, inconsistent tight end lacking special traits for the NFL game. Will have to dedicate himself as a blocker to have a chance to stick as a No. 3. -Nolan Nawrocki
