After the first preseason game, we are no more clear on a starter in the TE room than we were in January, and this is a problem. The TE position has been a security blanket for a lot of great QBs over the years and we have a bunch of also-rans competing for the 1 spot. Judging by the way they are trying to stack the deck for Wilson (preemptively announcing 3 experienced veterans as the starting 3 receivers) I would expect Joe to address this position again soon. Zach Ertz could be a temp solution, but there's a lot of monetary risk for both sides in a trade and he was injured last year, and wants to test FA after this final year of his deal. How has the Philly connection, although he really hasn't done much in terms of transactions with them. They could stick with what they have in the name of youth and take a mulligan on the TE position until next draft like they are doing at FB with Wesco. And then there's Aug 31 cut downs, but that doesn't give Zach much time to develop chemistry with whoever they bring in. There will probably be a few keepers released that teams want to stash on PS. I'm expecting the last scenario to happen, it doesn't seem like they are interested in bringing in older players and they are obviously not high on the current crew.
Ahhh, the ever-elusive TE that we can never seem to find. Yeah, I'm sure JD will be all over the waiver wire come cut down time. Oh, and we already took a "Mulligan".....Matt.
It just feels like Ertz is done. He had a huge bug up his ass last year about everything related to his pal Carson Wentz and he looked slow as shit last year. Maybe one year we'll properly address the position. I see Jared Cook and guys like that (granted he doesn't block so no thanks) on a different team every year and we never grab a fill in like that. I do like how Kroft supposedly blocks well. We've been drafting and adding blocking specialist or receiver specialists at the position for a decade and they're usually not good at their speciality.
If we wait until 2022, we could arrange a reunion of sorts.. I give you Zach's favorite TE.. Issac Rex. I think he'll be eligible for the draft. Not sure though if he'll declare. https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4569951/isaac-rex
This is a good point. He'd be a good blocking TE but we'd have to scheme him open as he cannot beat a LB/S on his own. I was watching Wesco the other night--he plays with 100% grit but his talent level is just not high enough for NFL IMO--even his blocks don't move people. This is a secondary but related issue at the FB position.
I like what I've seen out of Kroft so far. I think the TE position will be addressed in next year's draft.
Kroft has all the tools. He's just unreliable. Maybe he could put it all together and stay on the field for once. If he did he would be a steal
I don’t think he would be anything other than a blocker(fant that is) . I guess you would have to send him out once in a while to keep that in the defense’s head but I think mostly he would block and you’d flare the rb out on pass calls. Now imagine fant becton avt all on the left . There’s going to be a gaping hole somewhere.
Good post. In addition to your comment about the TE position being a security blanket for a lot of great QBs, supposedly, in this offense, if they run it at all like Shanahan does, TE is a key position, and plays a big part in both the rushing and passing attacks. I don't think they'll trade for Ertz, due to the factors you mentioned, that he's already 30, and has only started and played in all 16 games once in his career. I do think they'll look to sign a TE who is a camp cut. Whether they will or not, is another matter. I hope you're right that there will be some young keepers to choose from and the Jets will sign one of them. Yeboah certainly didn't help his cause coughing up the ball on his only reception. I was hoping they'd take a TE in this year's draft. I think they'll definitely take at least one and possibly 2 in next year's draft or draft one and sign one in FA. I will be shocked if any of Griffin, Kroft or Herndon are very effective in our offense this year for long.
Kroft has definitely looked better than Herndon, but he drops too many passes himself. He'll probably start because of his blocking ability, but if we have to depend upon the TE position this season to win games, we aren't going to win very many.
I think Kroft is a better catcher than given credit for and obviously he blocks so I'd say he is the number one TE right now.
Kroft was an ascending player back in 2018. Three ankle/foot injuries really slowed his progress. Plus the Bills ran mostly 4/5 wide last year, hardly running any 11 sets. Remember, this system puts the TE in great position to be a playmaker. Some mediocre TEs have flourished over the years in this scheme. I think Kroft plays well this year but JD should definitely be focusing on TE for next year, and I'm sure Lafleur has let his feelings be known.
I think Tyler Eifert is still available. Should come relatively cheap and could be a decent fill in until next draft.
I know he doesn't fit the current "prototype" build of TE, but maybe they could use Mims in that role? With the effort he showed on ST, and his physical skills, he might be a real mismatch. Before you call me crazy, consider that every innovation begins life as crazy.
