Draft OJ Howard or is there another Skywalker?

If the value & fit are there I honestly wouldn't be opposed to nabbing a second TE at some point in the draft to pair w. Howard. Depth is of utmost important in today's NFL..and the TE position is absolutely cutting edge...if you have 2 guys you can pair on the field to drive up the seams and really put pressure on the safeties...you can do alot of damage. Perhaps such a notion would begin to give the Jets some sort of identity on offense.

 

Thanks, James Hasty for these TE reviews.

At this point, I hope that the Jets take either Howard or Legett, but if they miss out on those two, then Butt, Sprinkle, Kittle, or Roberts might be pretty good consolation prizes. The thing that concerns me about Butt is the knee injury. If he misses a lot of time early, he may not be able to contribute much if any in 2017, and we need players who can contribute now, especially at TE.

I'd rule out Swoopes because the Jets already have a former collegiate QB who is trying to make the switch to TE (I forget his name).

Shaheen is a big intriguing. He obviously has the size to be an effective blocker, and must be a freakish athlete with his speed at his size. The question for me with him would be is he a willing blocker? Is he willing to work hard and commit himself to being a good blocker and playing as an inline TE? If not, then I'd move on, as the Jets already have Enunwa as an H-back.

I have the same questions about Hodges. If he is willing to commit himself to being a good blocker, then I might roll the dice on him, but otherwise,no.

I've seen Hikutini play and he looked good, but again, his blocking (or lack thereof) is an issue for the Jets. Again, if he's willing to commit himself to being a great blocker and work hard, I might roll the dice on him; otherwise, I'd pass unless all the other good 2-way TEs are gone.

Jonnu Smith in something else I read is pretty much just a receiver. He can't block and doesn't seem to have much interest in it. If that is correct, then I wouldn't even consider him unless the Jets were planning to either sign a 2-way TEand draft another, or take two TEs in the draft. If Morton plans to use a two TE offense, then someone like Smith could be useful and effective. If not, I see no point in taking him. We need to keep opposing Ds off balance and not be predictable. Since we're rebuilding, we need 2-way TEs not one-dimensional TEs.

If the write-up about Saubert is accurate, I'm not sure I'd have any interest in him. He's middle ground in terms of weight, yet I think has the slowest projected 40 time of any of the TEs listed above. I wonder what his actual time was at the Combine? I'm not sure how effective he will be in the NFL.

 

Yeah, I like Leggett and Kittle as the next options at TE as they are the 2 way TEs, Jets need. If the Jets believe in ASJ being a solid receiving option, then getting a player like Kittle in the 3rd [comp pick] would be really good. Heck, if the Jets select Howard and in the 5th Kittle is still there, I would still look to take him. The run game will be in really good shape.

 

Yes, the Jets need 2 more TEs. I think that ASJ is not only good enough to stay, but will have to because I don't think any of those other 3-4 young TEs on the roster will work out. They will need 3 on the roster. If they don't sign one in FA, then they'll probably need to draft 2, unless they hope they can get one following the roster cut downs at the end of TC.

 

I think Leggett is a good alternative. Obviously nowhere near what Howard would be, but certainly a big upgrade for the Jets.

Shaheen could be a real find if that write up is accurate. At 277 pounds, he'd be essentially another OL, but one who could catch, and then mow down whoever is stupid enough to try and tackle him. I'd like to know more about him.