No need for a detailed profile on Gragg. He's a faster Charles Clay with better blocking & receiving ability.
6'3, 245'ish, and ideally fits our offense and how we use Clay.
Impressive natural blocking ability and blocks like a guy much bigger IMO. Not just an on-the-move blocker either as he can hold his own inline against linebackers and some DEs.
Great versatility as he can line up at fullback, inline, or in the slot and be effective at all 3 positions.
Possesses receiver type speed and should run in the 4.5's. Has good hands.
Legitimate seam threat ability here as well as potential for yards after catch/contact.
Kid is tough, highly competitive, and plays with a physical presence. Definitely a pup that bites.

Charles Clay is a good player; I like his versatility and was an advocate of drafting him but Gragg is an upgrade IMO, and because of Gragg's 2012 injury he'll likely come at a bargain price.
Not a lot of tape on him but if you watched him play it's hard to not come away impressed.
This is a solid, consistent player and should be a draft priority IMO. I'd use our 4th on him in a heartbeat but might be able to get him in the 5th.


*Notice the 40 yard catch at the 0:44 mark.
Gragg pulls away from linebacker Xavier Lamb (#25) who ran a 4.66 at his pro day and maintains distance from free safety Jimmie Anderson (#19), 4.47 pro day.
[video=youtube;FA36Cc4tIgs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA36Cc4tIgs[/video]


42 yard TD, runs right by linebacker Joel Kight
[video=youtube;PtMXbeUCEQs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtMXbeUCEQs[/video]

Gragg vs Miss St (2011). Quite an impressive day receiving AND blocking.
[video=youtube;49dhCOLxzDE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49dhCOLxzDE[/video]

 

I didn't say he's a Clay-Clone. I said he's a Clay upgrade. Saying he's a Clay clone is like saying Eifert is an Egnew clone just b/c they'd play a similar position/role in our offense. Talent is talent, and our offense needs more of it, so I don't see any reason to think Clay should be immune to upgrade considering his 17 catch, 222 yard average per season. Gragg is more of a Dwayne Allen type than Charles Clay.

I doubt Philbin & Ireland are giving up on Egnew; plus they'll likely add another player who fits the starting tight end role, so IMO it would make more sense for them to want to either add a second Hback or upgrade the Hback position before they'll spend another 3rd rounder on a guy who is similar to what 3rd round Egnew is at this point after spending 2012 developing.

Besides, we don't "fill holes" with 4th/5th round draft picks do we? Honestly, do you think a 5th rounder being asked to start as a rookie would qualify as "filling a hole"? I'm sorry but I disagree with any notion of drafting for need than BPA, especially with later round picks, as most of the draft should be about building for the future. If you want to fill a need, then do it with a stop gap FA who can temporarily do the job better than a rookie, and thus save the draft to improve the team's talent.

 

That's what I was thinking.

 

That was my only reservation to saying he'd supplant Lane b/c I don't recall Gragg taking any handoffs, although I could see him developing into a solid lead blocker.

 

Is there anyone from the state of Ohio you don't want to give a handy to?

 

Thanks B. If health is an issue then that's quite understandable; I'd be a hypocrite if I felt it didn't warrant attention which is a shame b/c I think he's an outstanding talent. His blocking looks fabulous in the Miss St game above BTW, as well as in the game I watched at the start of the season.

 

I didn't realize the injury history is as extensive as it is so that kinda scares me unfortunately.

 

true true, and it's not like the risk would come at the cost of a high draft pick. I'm guessing with the injury history he slides to the 6th. What do you think?

 

I was thinking an average between 4.52-4.55 so I was off.

 

Oh NOWWW you do. I see how it is.



















:p

 

I like Clay but I wouldn't play favorites b/c of it. If there's a chance to upgrade our primary Hback spot, then count me in. Worst case scenario is we'd have better depth, no.

 

forgot about our lack of a 6th. I'd still use a 5th.

 

the third clip is a full game vs Miss St you numbnuts.

 

I think Clay could make a nice little jump, too, but IMO he doesn't possess the same level of talent Gragg does.

 

yeah I had to rewatch that steamroll display a few times. I like the kid's build.... and how he runs with it.