1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Tight Ends in the 2011 Draft

Discussion in 'NFL Draft Forum' started by FinNasty, Apr 26, 2011.

  1. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

    24,217
    36,005
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    I'd like to make a thread for discussion of the TE's in this class. I admittedly am not very knowlegable of this draft class, so I'm looking for who you guys think might be a TE we would target this week.

    Specifically, I'm thinking we obviously need a TE that has some speed and athleticism to stretch the seam and dictate coverage to the opposing safety. I also think that this regime wants a guy that is a willing blocker. May not be technically sound or incredibly strong, but at least giving the effort, as they believe they can bulk up a guy or improve his technique.

    So, who fits this description in this years draft? I've heard a lot about DJ Williams. How does he fit this description? What are your thoughts on him? I've also seen the name Jordan Cameron thrown around as of late. Sounds like hes got fantastic athleticism... but lacks experience and production?

    Who else is out there that would be a great fit for us?
     
  2. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Julius Thomas and Lance Kendricks. Those guys are prospects I'd zero in on because I think they both fit what this management wants.
     
    finsbuck719, FinNasty and Stitches like this.
  3. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

    24,217
    36,005
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    I can look up some info on them... but what are your thoughts specifically on those 2? What type of ceiling are we talking about with these guys? And what round would these guys be going in?
     
  4. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

    53,148
    31,935
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Katy, TX
    I think there's a good chance we take Rudolph in rd 1. He's a "safe" choice at a position where he can have an impact as a rookie and potentially give us another playmaker. :shifty:
     
    FinNasty likes this.
  5. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

    53,148
    31,935
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Katy, TX
    3-4 for Kendricks, maybe for Thomas too, but I think he's (Thomas) a solid 4-5th rd pick.

    I could definitely see us getting either. We seem to love Big Ten and Big Sky guys. :lol:
     
    FinNasty likes this.
  6. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Stitches is also right on Rudolph IMO.

    Lance Kendricks is a guy that has played some Wing, some inline TE, nasty split end, and some H-Back. He's a good blocker, consistent hands, really does a nice job working the zones underneath and is a smart guy. He's pulled a lot, done some trapping, and he's done well inline. I think he's a 3-4th rounder just because he is not a great prospect.

    As for Julius Thomas, I think he's a good player overall, honestly. He's big, can catch the ball well (doesn't engulf it like you may see from some former basketball players), fluid, he's got some blocking ability but is a work in progress. I think he's got a lot of potential after the catch. Some may disagree on that but I think he moves well and sees the field pretty well. He's probably not going to go higher than fourth round I'd say but a lot of potential IMO.
     
    FinNasty likes this.
  7. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

    38,949
    20,033
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    Pembroke Pines, FL
    I think Ireland has given some special scrutiny to Jordan Cameron. He’s this year’s Jimmy Graham in a way, and we know the Dolphins wanted Jimmy Graham last year.

    Virgil Green might be another guy they’re looking at, if adding speed at TE is a priority.
     
  8. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

    24,217
    36,005
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    Wasnt looking for a "playmaker" Stitches... was just hoping that the "perfect" player would be there for us in round 1... where need (and consequently opportunity to start right away and make an impact) was paired with a fantastic ready-made talent. Wasnt looking for "safe" per se. Its just our biggest needs dont really match the strengths of the first round, other than maybe Guard. But we dont need to go into that in this thread... lol ;)

    As far as Rudolph specifically... wheres he currently projected? Around high-2nd? If so, unfortunately I'm not sure how we would get a 2nd pick that high, unless it was trading out of the first entirely. Is he worth it in your opinion though to make big draft moves to get him?
     
  9. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

    24,217
    36,005
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    What makes Lance not a great prospect? You made him sound pretty good, lol.

    Sounds like Thomas has a higher ceiling.

    What are your thoughts on Jordan Cameron? And how does he compare these 2?
     
  10. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

    53,148
    31,935
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Katy, TX
    Just for reference when I made my post (smiley and all) I wasn't alluding to any of our previous discussions. :lol: I was speaking honestly in relation to how I believe the FO perceives things. The smiley was because I can only imagine the blow up if we took him in rd 1 (especially at or near 15).

    Rudolph is currently projected a borderline 1st (those last 7 picks in rd 1, first 7 in rd 2), however I could see him go higher depending on the team and their thinking (like a team without a 2nd round pick for example, and someone who needs to hit on their 1st rd pick). He's not worth making big draft moves to get with what we have to work with (unless we're talking moving down from #15). If we took him at #15, I think he'd be "worth it" given how good I think he can be, but I think there would be better players available.
     
  11. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Well he's not a satellite player or whatever you want to refer to a guy who you can move around and have him bust the pipe/seam. He's not great at any one thing but he's good at multiple things.

    Yeah, Thomas I would say has a higher ceiling but Kendricks floor is better.

    I like Cameron. He runs well, is fluid and has good hands. Can get the ball at its highest point. I think he needs a lot of work inline though and is more of a flex player right now. You gotta remember that he was a big wide receiver before officially becoming a TE. He's still in that way though IMO. He has a lot of upside though. I think he's more of a flex player and a seam threat than the two I listed but I also think he has more to work on.
     
    FinNasty and Stitches like this.
  12. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

    53,148
    31,935
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Katy, TX
    Man of many talents, master of none.
     
    FinNasty likes this.
  13. FinNasty

    FinNasty Alabama don’t want this... Staff Member Club Member

    24,217
    36,005
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    Thanks guys for the info, I'll check into these guys...
     
  14. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    No problem man. Just one opinion though. Someone else will surely feel different than me about those players and they could end up being right.
     
  15. ToddsPhins

    ToddsPhins Banned

    29,125
    7,721
    0
    Mar 15, 2009
    IMO we need a TE and a playmaking RB in the first 2 picks (if we're not trading back). It shouldn't matter in what order we do it as long as we do it and get impact players with both picks.

    I don't see a problem with taking the stud TE first and the RB second. Kyle Rudolph & Daniel Thomas would challenge Mark Ingram and any 3rd round TE as far as I'm concerned. It might not necessarily be the way I'd do it, but it's one way I'd consider, and I'd definitely be happy if that's how our 1st two picks turned out. It makes our offense better, and that's what counts.

    ..... and it still leaves FA to bring in Mike Sims Walker & Harvey Dahl.

    The one thing I really like about Rudolph is he allows us to have an elite #1 TE a few years from now which I think would be huge for this offense. Then a playmaking #2 TE can be added next year or the one after.

    TE Rudolph
    RB Daniel Thomas
    RB Dion Lewis, Quizz Rodgers, Taiwan Jones, or Nic Grigsby
    WR Mike Sims Walker
    LG Harvey Dahl

    That leaves last year's offense in the dust IMO.
     
  16. ToddsPhins

    ToddsPhins Banned

    29,125
    7,721
    0
    Mar 15, 2009
    you're describing Virgil Green all the way.

    Kid also put on a showing at the combine which is an added bonus because you don't get a chance to see his 42 inch vertical. That along with his 10'10 broad jump tells me he has tremendous explosion to him which should help him be a satisfactory blocker who can get the job done with a little coaching. IMO you can see that potential on a few of these blocks where his lower body explosion really jolts the defender while having the quickness and feet to turn his man or seal him off (at the 1:28 and 1:59 mark).

    [video=youtube;K84KLokZGIM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K84KLokZGIM[/video]
     
    MrClean likes this.
  17. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    I like DJ Williams the best for a compliment to Fasano. Rudolph hasn't been the most durable of prospects so I would be really surprised to see us take him in the late 1st after a trade down.

    BTW, it would be fun if we took Cameron Jordan and also Jordan Cameron, just listening to the announcers getting their names mixed up. :)
     
    ToddsPhins likes this.

Share This Page