My assessment of the TEs so far.

Direckshun · 01-31-2012, 05:59 AM

Dwayne Allen, Clemson (projected: 2nd)
6’4″, 255 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
50 receptions for 600 yards & 8 TDs in 2011

Allen is an NFL-sized tight end who has experience doing just about anything you can ask a tight end to do. He can split out wide (where he clearly prefers to play but doesn’t exhibit the on-field ability to excel there in the NFL), he can play in-line (which his size dictates would be his best spot but his blocking needs a ton of work), and he can even take plays out of the backfield if he’s asked to do so (only occasionally, at best). Allen would have been a first round pick five or six years ago; since then, the standards of the NFL draft demand much more speed than he brings to the table. If you’re going to take a TE with a first round pick, you want someone who can be a critical part of your offensive attack. I don’t think he is that… I think he’s a good complimentary piece that’s reliable enough with his hands and strong enough in his route running that he can help your offense capitalize when the defense sucks too much attention over to your stars. He will need some development as a blocker, but he’s really the only prospect I see in this class who can be exactly the kind of Hernandez/Gronkowski clone most teams are looking for.

Coby Fleener, Stanford (projected: 2nd)
6’6″, 240 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
34 receptions for 650+ yards & 10 TDs in 2011

I don’t think there are any key first-round tight ends in this draft. You typically want a guy who can play the role of a star receiver from the in-line position and tack on some blocking for good measure. You want a difference maker that force defenses into mismatches. Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham. I do not see Fleener, a very tall, decently athletic route-runner, in that class of talent. I do see him as a very reliable second- or third-target. He has a lot of the escapability from coverage and the ability to target any soft spots in a zone defense are what set him apart from this year’s pack (though Orson Charles is not far behind him). There is no tight end route he can’t run; I wouldn’t ask him to streak deep or anything but he presents such a great matchup in the intermediate game for any quarterback looking for the safest possible outlet. His frame allows for him to bulk up, so I think Fleener does have some “boom” potential in the blocking game.

Orson Charles, Georgia (projected: 2nd)
6’3″, 240 lbs; projected 4.6 40 yard dash
45 receptions for 550+ yards & 5 TDs in 2011

In a normal year, Charles would be a bottom 3rd, top 4th type prospect. He is a true boom-or-bust type prospect, with daring speed and great hands that would make him the second coming of Jimmy Graham in the right system. But he also needs a LOT of coaching that I don’t feel like he adequately received at the University of Georgia. But this year, there is no top-end, must-have tight end, so I think a prospect with such ridiculous upside as Charles is going to entice a few more teams. These are the years of the tight end, and every team believes they need more than one dynamic tight end to match what Brady and the Patriots have accomplished. Charles would be a good fit in Kansas City, as Kansas City already has a great workhorse in Tony Moeaki who could use a more dynamic compliment. Charles may never develop into that “true” tight end that can block and receive in equal parts, but he adds some in-line dynamism and can line up out wide on a regular basis.

Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette (projected: 3rd)
6’6″, 235 lbs; projected 4.6 40 yard dash
51 receptions for 600 yards & 8 TDs in 2011

Which brings me to my favorite prospect in this draft at the tight end position. I think Ladarius Green has the ability to be a star in this league. He is blessed with phenomenal length — that slender 6’6″ frame could easily fill out in a year or two, and with his Kevin McHale arms, he plays like he’s closer to 6’9″. He comes from a small school, so he needs to be coached waaaaay up; his route-running is decent and will need work, his blocking is darn near pathetic and will need to be completely re-done. But he is truly a gazelle in the open field, as fast as any TE in this draft class outside of Orson Charles, and has the biggest catching radius in the NFL Draft this year. Paired with Moeaki, the Chiefs would have a comgination of the more athletic tight ends with strong, brilliant hands.

David Paulson, Oregon (projected: 4th)
6’4″, 245 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
31 receptions for 400+ yards & 6 TDs in 2011

I think people bury the lead with Paulson. He is a darn good receiver that simply wasn’t featured in the Ducks’ amazing offense this year. There’s no real holes in his game; you’re getting good hands with fantastic blocking for a guy who doesn’t have elite size. He’s going to be more of a complimentary TE or a backup than he is a guy who can create a ton of noise in the league but the good news is you can put him on the field and expect him to fulfill his role without much trouble. Paulson’s already entering the NFL at his floor, so there’s virtually no chance of him busting — he’s the safest TE pick you can make. He doesn’t have much of a ceiling, however, so you’re getting what you’re getting.

Michael Williams, Alabama (projected: 5th)
6’6″, 270 lbs; projected 4.8 40 yard dash
16 receptions for 200 yards & 2 TDs in 2011

C’mon, who wants a big ugly? Every draft’s gotta have one. And if you’re looking for a pure blocking tight end, they don’t come any purer than big Michael Williams. He is like a sixth offensive lineman on the field, and is about that versatile… You can send him into a route if you want, but he’s about on par with Leonard Pope. But he brings the pain like Jason Dunn. Not much to profile here that you don’t already know from your dreams.

Rhett Ellison, USC (projected: 5th)
6’5″, 245 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
22 receptions for 140 yards & 2 TDs in 2011

Jack of all trades and a master of none. If there is something you ask a tight end to do, Ellison can do it. He won’t do it in ways that will earn highlight films or the praise of anybody but the most attentive of fans, but he’ll do it effectively enough. He is a good (not great) in-line blocker, a good (not great) route-runner who can get open despite his pathetic numbers this season. He is a good (not great) H-back who can plow for running backs out of the backfield. He can line up out wide or serve effectively in underneathe routes for the quarterback and can go to work as a red zone target. That versatility will make him attractive to a large number of teams in the midrounds, as I don’t envision any NFL offense being completely unable to work him in in one way or another unless it’s some kooky Mike Martz offense that hates tight ends.

Michael Egnew, Missouri (projected: 6th)
6’5″, 250 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
50 receptions for 500 yards & 3 TDs in 2011

Egnew proves the fantasy football adage that a receiver is little more than his chemistry with his quarterback. Switch out quarterbacks, and the exact same sets of players will all of a sudden look radically different. Different receivers get the ball, different routes are run, and different talents are utilized. The most extreme example of this in college football is Michael Egnew, who put up All World numbers last year as a junior with future NFL first round pick Blaine Gabbert chucking him well over 100 passes in a single season, 90 of which he was able to haul in. But alas, not all quarterbacks are created equal, and the second an average quarterback is under center, Egnew’s flaws become apparent. He’s not particularly fast, not too athletic, and for all his great size, Mizzou never asked him to block in-line. So you really have no idea what you’re getting here, but the Jaguars may be supremely interested due to his connection with Gabbert.

Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern (projected: 5th)
6’3″, 235 lbs; projected 4.6 40 yard dash
45 receptions for 500+ yards & 6 TDs in 2011

I noticed this guy watching (and loving) Northwestern QB Dan Persa. Persa is a Tim Tebow kinda player at the QB position, doesn’t have the word quit in his vocabulary, and make a bunch of unconventional plays and has some ridiculously weird stat-lines. His safety valve that kept popping up time after time was this guy who’s not that big, and not that great of an athlete, Drake Dunsmore. Surrounded by crappy teammates, Dunsmore was really the lone weapon Persa could rely on all year, and he made Persa look a lot better by continuing his routes and fooling coverage schemes. I think he’s probably a very smart player, I honestly don’t know a lot about him but I love how he’s able to get open despite being the only freaking weapon Northwestern has downfield. He’s a bit undersized, but he’s surprisingly fast. I see a sleeper.

Kevin Koger, Michigan (projected: 6th)
6’3″, 260 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
23 receptions for 250 yards & 4 TDs in 2011

A biiiiig project of a big tight end, it’s not exactly clear what Koger has to offer. Granted, Michigan’s offense has been pretty ugly this past season, but whenever I watched Koger play, I did not see an NFL prospect. So I am not stepping up to the plate to defend this guy for any other reason than he’s mentioned across virtually all draft sites as being a relatively valuable prospect. He’s got good hands, but he runs crap routes. He’s not that fast, and he doesn’t dominate at the point of attack enough to be a blocking tight end. It’s possible some team whats to try to stow him away on a practice squad for a couple years, but like I said. I don’t see it.

George Bryan, North Carolina State (projected: 6th)
6’5″, 265 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
33 receptions for 300+ yards & 4 TDs in 2011

Bryan is your typical NC State prospect: the measurables make you drool, but he’s going to take a lot of development to get where he needs to be. Bryan is a damn big tight end who blocks like a truck. It’s such a blast to watch him work defensive ends in-lne and linebackers at the second level. It’ll be interesting to see if he can take that talent to the NFL; he’s certainly got the size for it, but NC State prospects are always so raw. (I’m not sure how much coaching they do at that school…) He’s got a little of zing to his downfield runs, so he can actually develop as an effective receiver on hot routes and as a safety valve, a 4th read if need be for a desperate QB looking for an outlet. Typically teams don’t like to take blocking tight ends if they have to develop them, so it’s possible Bryan may dart around on a couple of teams before landing somewhere he fits.

Josh Chichester, Louisville (projected: 6th)
6’8″, 240 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
28 receptions for 400 yards & 2 TDs in 2011

Here’s a fun science experiment. Take one of the tallest, lankiest players in this year’s draft and turn him into a full-on tight end. Because Chichester is one tall guy, and he has plenty of room to grow, but I’m not entirely sure what he’s going to be growing into. He needs to put on substantial muslce, he hasn’t performed hardly any substantial blocking work at Louisville, and the Cardinals’ offense rarely targeted him in the red zone despite having such fantastic size. Why? Because he can’t shake coverage in tight areas. He’s more of a strider than he is a juker, and at that point, the only direction he has to go is up to get a football. I don’t know… I’m withholding judgment on how willing I’d be to develop this guy until after the Combine. It’s possible he emerges with some intriguing measurables and athleticism that I haven’t been seeing on the field.

Chris Pantale, Boston College (projected 7th)
6’6″, 250 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
21 receptions for 236 yards & 3 TDs in 2011

I love Boston College prospects because they come from a pro-style offense, incredibly high character, and usually very smart. It saddens me that no Boston College players color the Chiefs’ roster. At this level of the draft, it’s typically your smarts that allow you to instantly find your place in a scheme, and I don’t know much about Pantale because BC’s offense was absolute crap this year, but he can be an effective blocker and he can find some space downfield if your offense is competent enough to give him a chance. You must find these smart late-rounders to be successful, which is what GM Scott Pioli was doing by drafting Yale FB Shane Bannon last year. If he wanted to take another shot at that approach this year, you could find worse prospects than Pantale.

Brian Linthicum, Michigan State (projected: UDFA)
6’4″, 250 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
31 receptions for 350+ yards & 0 TDs in 2011

When you get to the bottom rounds, you’re largely looking to fill out the deepest parts of your roster, your practice squads, and your special teams units. Linthicum then makes sense to me. I think he could find himself a role in the NFL in jumbo packages and any time the offense wants to open the game up a little bit in short yardage. Really I don’t think he’s much of a prospect, but he had a good start to his football career playing in Clemson. Since transferring from Clemson, he’s been in trouble with the law and has struggled all over the field. Some team that doesn’t place an emphasis on character can take a whack at him to see if a change of scenery is what he needs. But I wouldn’t bet on it.

Anthony Miller, California (projected: UDFA)
6’4″, 260 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash
24 receptions for 250+ yards & 3 TDs in 2011

I’ve seen a lot of scouting reports that complain that Miller doesn’t really give full effort, and that might be reason enough to avoid drafting him. But as a UDFA prospect, you literally have to earn your way onto the back end of a team’s roster, and you don’t stay there for long if you can’t keep up the goods. I’d say that’s a decent low-risk, high-reward idea for a tight end with above average speed and size. His numbers aren’t gaudy either, but that’s because the Bears don’t really seem to give a damn about tight ends in their offense. I think he may be a sleeper if some team thinks they can channel his enthusiasm.

Direckshun · 01-31-2012, 06:01 AM

My rundown of QBs: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=255257

My rundown of RBs: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=255546

htismaqe · 01-31-2012, 08:49 AM

I'm a big fan of Ladarius Green but I'm a ULL homer. I'd love to see him here. Alot of other people think it's a dumb idea.

suds79 · 01-31-2012, 01:00 PM

Is it just me or does Fleener simply look a little more athletic or faster than Allen.

I'll be curious to see what they run at the combine.

The Chiefs need to get a another TE. This way you could have two receiving options in two TE looks. (Pope IMO is better as your 3rd TE) Furthermore, its been proven we can't assume Tony will stay healthy.

Chiefnj2 · 01-31-2012, 01:09 PM

IMO if Fleener falls to KC in the 2nd you take him. Otherwise, nobody in this TE class looks very good. Maybe use a 6th or 7th on someone, otherwise best to wait.

Direckshun · 01-31-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

IMO if Fleener falls to KC in the 2nd you take him. Otherwise, nobody in this TE class looks very good. Maybe use a 6th or 7th on someone, otherwise best to wait.

I'd rather take a whack at Green in the 3rd, but that's me.

And htis, apparently.

ChiefsCountry · 01-31-2012, 02:10 PM

I think Fleener is the perfect compliment to Moeaki.

Saccopoo · 02-01-2012, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I think Fleener is the perfect compliment to Moeaki.

I think Fleener sucks.

An undersized TE (weight wise) that was a dump outlet for Luck.

The guy is going to get worked over by NFL linebackers, let alone safeties.

jd1020 · 02-01-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I think Fleener sucks.

An undersized TE (weight wise) that was a dump outlet for Luck.

The guy is going to get worked over by NFL linebackers, let alone safeties.

Good to know that a dependable, best blocking, and pro-set TE "sucks."

suds79 · 02-01-2012, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Good to know that a dependable, best blocking, and pro-set TE "sucks."

Plus it's impossible to add weight.

jd1020 · 02-01-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suds79

Plus it's impossible to add weight.

He's no Nick Provo, thats for sure!

Sfeihc · 02-01-2012, 07:14 PM

Green in the 3rd would be a nice pick. I agree that Pope is a 3rd TE. Moe, Green and Pope would make for a fairly decent TE group.

jspchief · 02-01-2012, 07:27 PM

Is rather see us target someone like Williams. I know everyone has visions of Gronk/AH in their head but this team needs to improve in short yardage and inside the 10, and Pope is getting old.

We have a lot invested in this receiving corps already. I feel like other areas need more attention.

philfree · 02-06-2012, 06:49 PM

Doesn't Pioli have a history of drafting TEs early. After what the Pats did with Gronk and Hernandez this past year I can see him trying to trade down to draft Allen. If he can't make a deal he might take him anyway ala T Jax.

gonefishin53 · 02-06-2012, 10:43 PM

If Jon Baldwin would man up and block to his physical strength (20 bp reps at the combine even with his huge wingspan), he would create monster matchup problems for opposing Ds as a TE/HB. He could go far if he'd lose the diva attitude. Free agent TE Kellen Davis (Bears) was under utilized by Martz in the Bears offense and would be a nice addition at TE. He's bigger, stronger, and more athletic than Moe. Use the draft pick for other needs.

01-31-2012, 05:59 AM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2033447	My assessment of the TEs so far. Dwayne Allen, Clemson (projected: 2nd) 6’4″, 255 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 50 receptions for 600 yards & 8 TDs in 2011 Allen is an NFL-sized tight end who has experience doing just about anything you can ask a tight end to do. He can split out wide (where he clearly prefers to play but doesn’t exhibit the on-field ability to excel there in the NFL), he can play in-line (which his size dictates would be his best spot but his blocking needs a ton of work), and he can even take plays out of the backfield if he’s asked to do so (only occasionally, at best). Allen would have been a first round pick five or six years ago; since then, the standards of the NFL draft demand much more speed than he brings to the table. If you’re going to take a TE with a first round pick, you want someone who can be a critical part of your offensive attack. I don’t think he is that… I think he’s a good complimentary piece that’s reliable enough with his hands and strong enough in his route running that he can help your offense capitalize when the defense sucks too much attention over to your stars. He will need some development as a blocker, but he’s really the only prospect I see in this class who can be exactly the kind of Hernandez/Gronkowski clone most teams are looking for. Coby Fleener, Stanford (projected: 2nd) 6’6″, 240 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 34 receptions for 650+ yards & 10 TDs in 2011 I don’t think there are any key first-round tight ends in this draft. You typically want a guy who can play the role of a star receiver from the in-line position and tack on some blocking for good measure. You want a difference maker that force defenses into mismatches. Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham. I do not see Fleener, a very tall, decently athletic route-runner, in that class of talent. I do see him as a very reliable second- or third-target. He has a lot of the escapability from coverage and the ability to target any soft spots in a zone defense are what set him apart from this year’s pack (though Orson Charles is not far behind him). There is no tight end route he can’t run; I wouldn’t ask him to streak deep or anything but he presents such a great matchup in the intermediate game for any quarterback looking for the safest possible outlet. His frame allows for him to bulk up, so I think Fleener does have some “boom” potential in the blocking game. Orson Charles, Georgia (projected: 2nd) 6’3″, 240 lbs; projected 4.6 40 yard dash 45 receptions for 550+ yards & 5 TDs in 2011 In a normal year, Charles would be a bottom 3rd, top 4th type prospect. He is a true boom-or-bust type prospect, with daring speed and great hands that would make him the second coming of Jimmy Graham in the right system. But he also needs a LOT of coaching that I don’t feel like he adequately received at the University of Georgia. But this year, there is no top-end, must-have tight end, so I think a prospect with such ridiculous upside as Charles is going to entice a few more teams. These are the years of the tight end, and every team believes they need more than one dynamic tight end to match what Brady and the Patriots have accomplished. Charles would be a good fit in Kansas City, as Kansas City already has a great workhorse in Tony Moeaki who could use a more dynamic compliment. Charles may never develop into that “true” tight end that can block and receive in equal parts, but he adds some in-line dynamism and can line up out wide on a regular basis. Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette (projected: 3rd) 6’6″, 235 lbs; projected 4.6 40 yard dash 51 receptions for 600 yards & 8 TDs in 2011 Which brings me to my favorite prospect in this draft at the tight end position. I think Ladarius Green has the ability to be a star in this league. He is blessed with phenomenal length — that slender 6’6″ frame could easily fill out in a year or two, and with his Kevin McHale arms, he plays like he’s closer to 6’9″. He comes from a small school, so he needs to be coached waaaaay up; his route-running is decent and will need work, his blocking is darn near pathetic and will need to be completely re-done. But he is truly a gazelle in the open field, as fast as any TE in this draft class outside of Orson Charles, and has the biggest catching radius in the NFL Draft this year. Paired with Moeaki, the Chiefs would have a comgination of the more athletic tight ends with strong, brilliant hands. David Paulson, Oregon (projected: 4th) 6’4″, 245 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 31 receptions for 400+ yards & 6 TDs in 2011 I think people bury the lead with Paulson. He is a darn good receiver that simply wasn’t featured in the Ducks’ amazing offense this year. There’s no real holes in his game; you’re getting good hands with fantastic blocking for a guy who doesn’t have elite size. He’s going to be more of a complimentary TE or a backup than he is a guy who can create a ton of noise in the league but the good news is you can put him on the field and expect him to fulfill his role without much trouble. Paulson’s already entering the NFL at his floor, so there’s virtually no chance of him busting — he’s the safest TE pick you can make. He doesn’t have much of a ceiling, however, so you’re getting what you’re getting. Michael Williams, Alabama (projected: 5th) 6’6″, 270 lbs; projected 4.8 40 yard dash 16 receptions for 200 yards & 2 TDs in 2011 C’mon, who wants a big ugly? Every draft’s gotta have one. And if you’re looking for a pure blocking tight end, they don’t come any purer than big Michael Williams. He is like a sixth offensive lineman on the field, and is about that versatile… You can send him into a route if you want, but he’s about on par with Leonard Pope. But he brings the pain like Jason Dunn. Not much to profile here that you don’t already know from your dreams. Rhett Ellison, USC (projected: 5th) 6’5″, 245 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 22 receptions for 140 yards & 2 TDs in 2011 Jack of all trades and a master of none. If there is something you ask a tight end to do, Ellison can do it. He won’t do it in ways that will earn highlight films or the praise of anybody but the most attentive of fans, but he’ll do it effectively enough. He is a good (not great) in-line blocker, a good (not great) route-runner who can get open despite his pathetic numbers this season. He is a good (not great) H-back who can plow for running backs out of the backfield. He can line up out wide or serve effectively in underneathe routes for the quarterback and can go to work as a red zone target. That versatility will make him attractive to a large number of teams in the midrounds, as I don’t envision any NFL offense being completely unable to work him in in one way or another unless it’s some kooky Mike Martz offense that hates tight ends. Michael Egnew, Missouri (projected: 6th) 6’5″, 250 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 50 receptions for 500 yards & 3 TDs in 2011 Egnew proves the fantasy football adage that a receiver is little more than his chemistry with his quarterback. Switch out quarterbacks, and the exact same sets of players will all of a sudden look radically different. Different receivers get the ball, different routes are run, and different talents are utilized. The most extreme example of this in college football is Michael Egnew, who put up All World numbers last year as a junior with future NFL first round pick Blaine Gabbert chucking him well over 100 passes in a single season, 90 of which he was able to haul in. But alas, not all quarterbacks are created equal, and the second an average quarterback is under center, Egnew’s flaws become apparent. He’s not particularly fast, not too athletic, and for all his great size, Mizzou never asked him to block in-line. So you really have no idea what you’re getting here, but the Jaguars may be supremely interested due to his connection with Gabbert. Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern (projected: 5th) 6’3″, 235 lbs; projected 4.6 40 yard dash 45 receptions for 500+ yards & 6 TDs in 2011 I noticed this guy watching (and loving) Northwestern QB Dan Persa. Persa is a Tim Tebow kinda player at the QB position, doesn’t have the word quit in his vocabulary, and make a bunch of unconventional plays and has some ridiculously weird stat-lines. His safety valve that kept popping up time after time was this guy who’s not that big, and not that great of an athlete, Drake Dunsmore. Surrounded by crappy teammates, Dunsmore was really the lone weapon Persa could rely on all year, and he made Persa look a lot better by continuing his routes and fooling coverage schemes. I think he’s probably a very smart player, I honestly don’t know a lot about him but I love how he’s able to get open despite being the only freaking weapon Northwestern has downfield. He’s a bit undersized, but he’s surprisingly fast. I see a sleeper. Kevin Koger, Michigan (projected: 6th) 6’3″, 260 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 23 receptions for 250 yards & 4 TDs in 2011 A biiiiig project of a big tight end, it’s not exactly clear what Koger has to offer. Granted, Michigan’s offense has been pretty ugly this past season, but whenever I watched Koger play, I did not see an NFL prospect. So I am not stepping up to the plate to defend this guy for any other reason than he’s mentioned across virtually all draft sites as being a relatively valuable prospect. He’s got good hands, but he runs crap routes. He’s not that fast, and he doesn’t dominate at the point of attack enough to be a blocking tight end. It’s possible some team whats to try to stow him away on a practice squad for a couple years, but like I said. I don’t see it. George Bryan, North Carolina State (projected: 6th) 6’5″, 265 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 33 receptions for 300+ yards & 4 TDs in 2011 Bryan is your typical NC State prospect: the measurables make you drool, but he’s going to take a lot of development to get where he needs to be. Bryan is a damn big tight end who blocks like a truck. It’s such a blast to watch him work defensive ends in-lne and linebackers at the second level. It’ll be interesting to see if he can take that talent to the NFL; he’s certainly got the size for it, but NC State prospects are always so raw. (I’m not sure how much coaching they do at that school…) He’s got a little of zing to his downfield runs, so he can actually develop as an effective receiver on hot routes and as a safety valve, a 4th read if need be for a desperate QB looking for an outlet. Typically teams don’t like to take blocking tight ends if they have to develop them, so it’s possible Bryan may dart around on a couple of teams before landing somewhere he fits. Josh Chichester, Louisville (projected: 6th) 6’8″, 240 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 28 receptions for 400 yards & 2 TDs in 2011 Here’s a fun science experiment. Take one of the tallest, lankiest players in this year’s draft and turn him into a full-on tight end. Because Chichester is one tall guy, and he has plenty of room to grow, but I’m not entirely sure what he’s going to be growing into. He needs to put on substantial muslce, he hasn’t performed hardly any substantial blocking work at Louisville, and the Cardinals’ offense rarely targeted him in the red zone despite having such fantastic size. Why? Because he can’t shake coverage in tight areas. He’s more of a strider than he is a juker, and at that point, the only direction he has to go is up to get a football. I don’t know… I’m withholding judgment on how willing I’d be to develop this guy until after the Combine. It’s possible he emerges with some intriguing measurables and athleticism that I haven’t been seeing on the field. Chris Pantale, Boston College (projected 7th) 6’6″, 250 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 21 receptions for 236 yards & 3 TDs in 2011 I love Boston College prospects because they come from a pro-style offense, incredibly high character, and usually very smart. It saddens me that no Boston College players color the Chiefs’ roster. At this level of the draft, it’s typically your smarts that allow you to instantly find your place in a scheme, and I don’t know much about Pantale because BC’s offense was absolute crap this year, but he can be an effective blocker and he can find some space downfield if your offense is competent enough to give him a chance. You must find these smart late-rounders to be successful, which is what GM Scott Pioli was doing by drafting Yale FB Shane Bannon last year. If he wanted to take another shot at that approach this year, you could find worse prospects than Pantale. Brian Linthicum, Michigan State (projected: UDFA) 6’4″, 250 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 31 receptions for 350+ yards & 0 TDs in 2011 When you get to the bottom rounds, you’re largely looking to fill out the deepest parts of your roster, your practice squads, and your special teams units. Linthicum then makes sense to me. I think he could find himself a role in the NFL in jumbo packages and any time the offense wants to open the game up a little bit in short yardage. Really I don’t think he’s much of a prospect, but he had a good start to his football career playing in Clemson. Since transferring from Clemson, he’s been in trouble with the law and has struggled all over the field. Some team that doesn’t place an emphasis on character can take a whack at him to see if a change of scenery is what he needs. But I wouldn’t bet on it. Anthony Miller, California (projected: UDFA) 6’4″, 260 lbs; projected 4.7 40 yard dash 24 receptions for 250+ yards & 3 TDs in 2011 I’ve seen a lot of scouting reports that complain that Miller doesn’t really give full effort, and that might be reason enough to avoid drafting him. But as a UDFA prospect, you literally have to earn your way onto the back end of a team’s roster, and you don’t stay there for long if you can’t keep up the goods. I’d say that’s a decent low-risk, high-reward idea for a tight end with above average speed and size. His numbers aren’t gaudy either, but that’s because the Bears don’t really seem to give a damn about tight ends in their offense. I think he may be a sleeper if some team thinks they can channel his enthusiasm.
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01-31-2012, 06:01 AM	#2
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2033447	My rundown of QBs: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=255257 My rundown of RBs: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=255546
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01-31-2012, 08:49 AM	#3
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $8099900	I'm a big fan of Ladarius Green but I'm a ULL homer. I'd love to see him here. Alot of other people think it's a dumb idea.
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01-31-2012, 01:00 PM	#4
suds79 MVP Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $10005036	Is it just me or does Fleener simply look a little more athletic or faster than Allen. I'll be curious to see what they run at the combine. The Chiefs need to get a another TE. This way you could have two receiving options in two TE looks. (Pope IMO is better as your 3rd TE) Furthermore, its been proven we can't assume Tony will stay healthy.
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01-31-2012, 01:09 PM	#5
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $6654388	IMO if Fleener falls to KC in the 2nd you take him. Otherwise, nobody in this TE class looks very good. Maybe use a 6th or 7th on someone, otherwise best to wait. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
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01-31-2012, 02:10 PM	#7
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1601248	I think Fleener is the perfect compliment to Moeaki.
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02-01-2012, 07:14 PM	#12
Sfeihc It's All Good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $10010133	Green in the 3rd would be a nice pick. I agree that Pope is a 3rd TE. Moe, Green and Pope would make for a fairly decent TE group.
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02-01-2012, 07:27 PM	#13
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Is rather see us target someone like Williams. I know everyone has visions of Gronk/AH in their head but this team needs to improve in short yardage and inside the 10, and Pope is getting old. We have a lot invested in this receiving corps already. I feel like other areas need more attention. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
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02-06-2012, 06:49 PM	#14
philfree Indian Twitter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Free Agency Casino cash: $-2223802	Doesn't Pioli have a history of drafting TEs early. After what the Pats did with Gronk and Hernandez this past year I can see him trying to trade down to draft Allen. If he can't make a deal he might take him anyway ala T Jax. __________________ [/SIGPIC]
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02-06-2012, 10:43 PM	#15
gonefishin53 Starter Join Date: Dec 2010 Casino cash: $10011999	If Jon Baldwin would man up and block to his physical strength (20 bp reps at the combine even with his huge wingspan), he would create monster matchup problems for opposing Ds as a TE/HB. He could go far if he'd lose the diva attitude. Free agent TE Kellen Davis (Bears) was under utilized by Martz in the Bears offense and would be a nice addition at TE. He's bigger, stronger, and more athletic than Moe. Use the draft pick for other needs.
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