*****The Noah Gray Thread*****

[Dante84]

Surprise! More to come!

Spoiler!

The former all-state pick from Massachusetts played quarterback his junior year at Leominster High School. He started once in 12 appearances as a sophomore (20 receptions, 234 yards, 11.7 average, one touchdown) and also contributed in 13 games as a reserve (five receptions, 37 yards, two touchdowns) his first year in Durham. Gray stepped into the NFL draft spotlight as a junior, garnering second-team All-ACC honors by leading the Blue Devils in receptions and finishing among the top FBS tight ends with 51 catches for 392 yards (7.7 per) and three scores. The 2020 team captain played in 10 games with nine starts as a senior (29 receptions, 285 yards, 9.8 average, two touchdowns), becoming the school's all-time leading receiver at tight end. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter

Overview
Gray understands leverage and how to create some tilt in coverage but doesn't have play speed or separation burst to do enough with it. While he's not going to have the size or strength to block defenders when firing off the ball, he has enough athleticism and grit to offer some assistance as a move blocker from the slot or wing position. He has late-round potential and could find a team fit as a TE3/4.
Strengths

• Team captain.
• Helps out in pass protection with decent mirror and technique.
• Will stick and sustain as a slot blocker.
• Reads the track properly when asked to lead block.
• Slick footwork and leverage in his routes.
• Ability to run more complex routes underneath.
• Spins open suddenly in space against zone.
• Sharp angles out of his turns.
• Adjustment and focus to bring the throw in.

Weaknesses

• Just nine yards per reception during career.
• Thin through waist and hips with lean lower body.
• Lacks threatening vertical push off the line.
• Moves well but doesn't separate much.
• Might not have ability to attack the seam.
• Lacks agility on the move when working at the second level.
• Gets overtaken by force at point of attack as blocker.

How can you not get fired up after getting off the phone with EB �� @noahgray87 pic.twitter.com/dZJ7Zy1vwV

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 1, 2021

[Chiefshrink]

He is sneaky good. Great hands especially in traffic which is huge when you don't have elite athleticism. He finds a way to get open and runs hard through people. I like this pick.

[MAHOMO 4 LIFE!]

He’s literally a poor mans Kelce

[The Franchise]

More from Cutcliffe: "He also doesn’t mind going in and mixing it up in the line of scrimmage. He can play fullback. He can play tight end. He can play receiver and he can line up next to a tackle,That’s a rare breed of player." #Chiefs

— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) May 1, 2021

[Dante84]

This was the compensation, FYI

Jets trade: Pick 162, 226

Chiefs trade: Pick 175, 207

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 1, 2021

[FloridaMan88]

Disappointing considering Brevin Jordan who has way more upside was available when they picked the raw/developmental edge rusher at the end of the 4th round.

[staylor26]

The more I look into it, the more I like this pick.

I agree that he looks like a poor man’s Kelce.

What more could you ask for at TE2 with Kelcee’s age?

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Disappointing considering Brevin Jordan who has way more upside was available when they picked the raw/developmental edge rusher at the end of the 4th round.

Brevin Jordan’s testing was so bad that it shouldn’t shock anybody that they like Gray more.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Disappointing considering Brevin Jordan who has way more upside was available when they picked the raw/developmental edge rusher at the end of the 4th round.

Thanks for weighing in!

[KChiefs1]

Veach loves RAS & SPARQ.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by TambaBerry

Mark andrews has diabetes and he is really good

We should have drafted him at 46 - 2nd rd instead of Speaks no doubt.

[RaidersOftheCellar]

Definitely some similarities to Kelce. The only real knock is that he needs to get a little stronger. Good pick.

It’s about time they brought in a decent 2nd TE.

[RunKC]

Hey guys who does this prospect description remind you of?

Gray is an above average route runner with enough quickness to separate from man coverage and the awareness to locate pockets in zone coverage. He's a natural hands catcher and he ran faster than expected at his pro day. He's a good blocker who fights to stay in position but he's light with shorter arms and he struggles to sustain blocks. -- Steve Muench

[TRR]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Brevin Jordan’s testing was so bad that it shouldn’t shock anybody that they like Gray more.

And Jordan never finished a full season in college. Huge injury concerns.

[Kiimo]

Travis Kelce is nearly two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier they aren't that comparable.


As a second TE he'll find openings I think. He's not a Kelce replacement down the line, he's complimentary

[RaidersOftheCellar]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

Travis Kelce is nearly two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier they aren't that comparable.


As a second TE he'll find openings I think. He's not a Kelce replacement down the line, he's complimentary

20 lbs is nothing, especially considering he’s shorter. He can pack that on in an offseason.