My pipe dream of moving down and getting OJ Howard between pick #18 and 22 seems to be over after the combine he had. At this point I wouldn't complain if we took Howard at #6. With that being said many of the tight ends ran incredibly fast 40 times and did well in other drills at the combine. What sets Howard apart is that he played for Alabama against the toughest competition, racked up over 200 receiving yards in the championship game and did a lot of blocking as his receiving skills were under-utilized at Alabama. A couple of the other fast tight ends may just be over-sized receivers. My question is which other tight ends in this draft have the ball skills to be a reliable safety net and can block like a truck? Does OJ Howard stand alone or is there another tight end we could get later that has similar upside?
Jordan Leggett might be a consideration: http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=206282003&DB_OEM_ID=28500
As good as this TE class is, I realy think Howard is in a class of his own. Id have no problem taking him at 6
In the mind blowing scenario where we cant trade down at 6 Mr Howard is one of my favorites...improves the Offense and blocks on the line Hes no Amaro just a bright tomorrow AHAHAHA
A ideal scenario is Cleveland doesn't get a FA QB. A realistic trade is for #12,52,142 and +/-maybe late next year. That also fits with a deep db draft, getting a quality player at 142 where we need help. Howard and two picks, I would take.
Jets should stay as far away from taking a TE in the first 3 rounds....far far away...lol Based on the previous draft history of selecting TEs, man Jets bite the big one - Dustin Keller, round 1 - bust Anthony Becht, round 1 - bust Johnny Mitchell, round 1 - bust Kyle Brady, round 1 - bust Jace Amaro , round 2 - bust special mention Chris Baker, round 3 - wouldn't call this a bust but not one that had much impact. and these were all the most recent TE's .....what notoriety ! The last time i can recall a Jets TE being worth their salt as a drafted player....- Mickey Shuler - drafted in 1978
This is the most talented group of tight ends ever. There were at least ten guys this year that score the 15 best 40 times in the last fifteen years. You are comparing apples to rotten lemons.
The problem is that after Howard, I think that several of the other top TE prospects are all basically WRs and can't block (Njoku, Engram, Jonnu Smith, Everett . That's not what we need. We need a true 2-way TE. I don't know a lot of the players among the TEs, but think that Leggett, Butt and Sprinkle are 2-way TEs. I'm not sure about Shaheen and Hodges, but based on their sizes at least, they ought to be able to physically block, but don't know about their mental makeup. Also, playing TE isn't just about having the best 40 time.
Of the ones I listed , Mitchell would have compared very favorably to those in this draft. If he would have stayed in college instead of fleeing after his sophomore year, who knows how good his stats would have been. There were very few , fans and media, that questioned this pick. That being said, Howard would be the only pick I would consider taking , but not at #6 - it's too much of a luxury choice for all the needs this team has to fill. If they can drop down a few spots , maybe with Cleveland, no- brainer there.
Hodges is not an in-line TE. He has the size, but he played WR at Virginia Tech and didn't know how to get in a proper 3 point stance at the combine. The Iowa TE (Kittle?) is an in-line TE, and if you want to wait until really late, Ornoff from Pitt is an in-line TE.
Yeah I deff agree about alot of the tight ends just being big receivers wich is really annoying lol.(even though I have a soft spot for njoku) but the one TE I really like in the later rounds is sprinkle. Really big body, Can block and I'm pretty sure he was a good red zone reciver( Correct me if I'm wrong)
Howard is money in big situations. I'd take him and never look back. Rare scenario where need meets best available. Sent from my KIW-L24 using Tapatalk
George Kittle from Iowa can block VERY good too, he has a nastiness to him. There's Leggett from Clemson and also Jake Butt from Michigan as mentioned. Butt was very good prior to his injury this year. All not as good as Howard because Howard is just ridiculously athletic and is very polished.
I am warming up to the idea of OJ Howard. A legitimate dual-threat TE (blocking, receiving) can do wonders for an offense and makes you harder to predict
Now THIS is what I'm talking about! These are the kinds of TEs I hope the Jets are strongly considering in the draft. Are there any more lower down who are two-way types and possibly considered sleepers? Howard will go in the top 20, maybe the top ten. Butt is projected by CBS Draft Scout to go in the 3rd round, Leggett in the 3rd-4th round range, Sprinkle in the 4th-5th round range, and Kittle in the 5th round. If the Jets don't take Howard, then it looks like they will need to grab their TE in the 3rd round. They'd really be tempting fate to hope that Kittle fell to them in the 5th. It makes sense that Kittle would be a good blocker. Ferentz knows how to develop OL and blockers.
I've said if before and I'll say it again OJ is the best football player in this draft. He's a day 1 starter in the team who gets him. The ONLY knock on him is that he's a TE and TEs are usually not a high drafted position.
Howard is a no brainer...he's already displayed himself to be one of the best of this class..he improves the offense both in the passing game & running game..and we have next to nothing else at the position. Be happy he's still there at #6..hand in the card & get ready for a round 2 trade down.
Here are some alternatives to the guys at the top of the board (blurbs and rankigs from Walter football). Let me know what you think of these prospects: Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland Height: 6-6. Weight: 277. Projected 40 Time: 4.58. Projected Round (2017): 2-4. 2/25/17: Sources say that Shaheen is a freak athlete whose draft stock could explode in the months to come. Shaheen is expected to be a workout warrior, but team sources say that his tape showed serious receiving ability for the next level. Even though he is tall and thick, Shaheen has freaky speed and athleticism for such a big tight end. Teams think that Shaheen could be a versatile tight end to create mismatches in the passing game. Shaheen caught 57 passes for 867 yards with 16 touchdowns in 2016. The previous season, he had 70 receptions for 803 yards and 10 touchdowns. Some team sources even compared Shaheen to Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan Height: 6-6. Weight: 248. Projected 40 Time: 4.71. Projected Round (2017): 3-5. 2/25/17: In 2016, Butt notched 46 receptions for 546 yards and four touchdowns. Some team sources have said that Butt is a solid prospect and still rate him in the top-five tight end prospects despite his knee injury that could impact his rookie season. Some sources think Butt's blocking improved over his final year. He tore some knee ligaments in his bowl game, so he could slide in the 2017 NFL Draft. 7/30/16: Butt contributed as a freshman (20-235-2) and sophomore (21-211-2), but took his game to another level under head coach Jim Harbaugh in 2015. Butt had 51 receptions for 654 yards with three touchdowns in 2015. He is a good receiver down the seam and uses his size to his advantage. Butt looks very good as a receiver in Harbaugh's pro-style offense. As a blocker, Butt has potential, too. He was better in pass protection than run blocking last year. His technique isn't bad, but he could stand to get stronger and pack more of a punch in the ground game. Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson Height: 6-5. Weight: 250. Projected 40 Time: 4.73. Projected Round (2017): 3-4. 2/25/17: On the season, Leggett had 46 catches for 736 yards with seven touchdowns. He is a well-rounded tight end who looks like he has three-down potential for the NFL. Leggett is athletic with quickness and has the ability to make tough contested catches. In double-tight end situations, Leggett could be dangerous. 7/30/16: Leggett was a good contributor for the Tigers' point-machine offense in 2015. He totaled 40 receptions for 525 yards and eight touchdowns. It was a breakout year for the junior as he didn't produce close to that as a sophomore (14-161-1) or freshman (12-176-2). Leggett also chipped in as a blocker. He has the capacity to rise as a senior. Bucky Hodges*, TE, Virginia Tech Height: 6-7. Weight: 245. Projected 40 Time: 4.67. Projected Round (2017): 3-4. 2/25/17: 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. 7/30/16: In 2015, Hodges had 40 receptions for 530 yards and six scores. Sources said that Hodges should go back to school and develop before going pro. That was the same recommendation in the report that the NFL Draft Advisory gave Hodges, and he wisely listened. Hodges was a redshirt freshman sensation for the Hokies in 2014, producing the best season ever for receiving production by a freshman tight end at Virginia Tech. For the year, he hauled in 45 catches for 526 yards and six touchdowns. During his redshirt season in 2013, Hodges split time at tight end and quarterback. Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida International Height: 6-2. Weight: 245. Arm: 31.75. Hand: 9.13. Projected 40 Time: 4.65. Projected Round (2017): 3-5. 2/25/17: At the Senior Bowl, Smith had a decent week and flashed some receiving skills. Scouting sources from across the league have compared Smith to the Bills' Charles Clay. Smith made nationwide news in 2016 by suffering a serious injury off the field. His pregnant girlfriend poured boiling water on him after arguing about him not spending enough time with her. The senior missed a game due to the incident, but returned to the field. Smith totaled 42 receptions for 506 yards with four touchdowns in 2016. He had quality production as a junior (36-397-4), sophomore (61-710-8) and freshman (39-388-2). Smith is a quick, athletic receiving tight end who has the potential to be a mismatch weapon. Some sources have Smith grading out as a third- or fourth-round pick for the 2017 NFL Draft. Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo Height: 6-4. Weight: 261. Arm: 33.25. Hand: 11.63. Projected 40 Time: 4.74. Projected Round (2017): 3-5. 2/25/17: Roberts is a blocking tight end for the NFL, yet has some receiving ability. Scouting sources said that Roberts could be the best pure Y (blocking) tight end in the 2017 NFL Draft. They say he is athletic enough to make some plays as a short option or in the red zone. Roberts had a quality week at the Senior Bowl, minus a few dropped passes. Roberts made 45 receptions for 533 yards with 16 touchdowns in 2016. As a junior, he had 21 catches for 234 yards with four scores. Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas Height: 6-6. Weight: 255. Projected 40 Time: 4.70. Projected Round (2017): 4-6. 2/25/17: 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. He had some issues at the Senior Bowl as he didn't impress on the field or during the team interviews. 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.
Here are the guys that could go later: Cole Hikutini, TE, Louisville Height: 6-5. Weight: 248. Projected 40 Time: 4.67. Projected Round (2017): 4-6. 2/25/17: Hikutini played really well in 2016, notching 49 receptions for 656 yards and eight touchdowns. The senior was a dangerous receiving threat in Louisville's point-machine offense. Hikutini will need to improve his blocking for the NFL. As a junior in 2015, he made 19 catches for 348 yards with three scores. Eric Saubert, TE, Drake Height: 6-5. Weight: 250. Projected 40 Time: 4.74. Projected Round (2017): 4-6. 2/25/17: Saubert showed his receiving skills at the Senior Bowl, continuing to use speed and athleticism to get separation from defenders. He will need to improve his blocking for the NFL, but his size allows him to match up with front seven defenders. Some scouting sources were raving about Saubert's route-running in the seven-on-seven drill. In a talented tight end class, Saubert could turn into a really nice value pick on Day 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft. Tyrone Swoopes, TE, Texas Height: 6-4. Weight: 249. Projected 40 Time: 4.69. Projected Round (2017): 4-6. 2/25/17: Swoopes played quarterback for Texas, but sources with multiple NFL teams are considering him as a future tight end for the NFL. They say that Swoopes has a good skill set for the position. They think he has hands for the position, but they definitely like his size and athletic ability to play tight end. Some teams think Swoopes could go in the early rounds of Day 3 at his new position.
