TE Prospects: Who are the Day 1 Starters?

[Wildflecken]

Spent a lot of time on the TE position this draft for obvious reasons. Most know my stance on Cook, Rams simply have to cut bait here. No matter what direction Rams go at qb, that qb's success will depend largely on how Rams address the TE position. However with Gurley now on board, moving on from Cook does present a challenge, a surprising challenge given Cooks resume when signed by Rams. Many viewed Cook a poor blocking TE when Rams acquired him, needing much work in this area. Credit our new OC here Boras, as for all the frustration Cook brings to the passing game, he does seal the edges well. And with Gurley on board, Rams cannot afford a drop off here next season. Moving on from Cook means they need a Day 1 starter this draft. My list has changed as I looked for scheme fit TE's who can thrive in a Boras Offense. There are 3 TE's I am very high on this draft, but only two appear to be day 1 starters. The third prospect Higbee, will in all likelihood need a year with the Rams trainers, adding strength/weight and working on leverage techniques required at the next level to succeed as an inline blocking TE. He needs a year to "fill out his frame" He is included in the discussion if for some inane reason the Rams decide to allow Cook to play out the last year of his contract. In this scenario one could assume a trade up for a qb occurs and Rams simply do not have the draft capitol to address the position by the end of round 2.

1.) Hunter Henry - Had early concerns about Henry's blocking ability at next level. No longer, Henry not only has the ability to block at the next level, he has the potential to do it at a pro bowl level. His father was an offensive tackle. Some early draft perceptions of Henry were dead wrong here. The more I see of Henry the more it appears he is for real, this kid has a very good chance of being the next Witten, Gronk at the position. And these type of TE's do not come along often. Knew any Rams offense with Boras at the helm requires a Gronk/Witten/Gates versus a Graham at the position. And one of the strengths of the Rams passing attack is the ability to create and find the mismatch of the TE on a lb in single coverage. Cooks continued failure to provide the safety blanket for the qb is very, very high on the list of reasons Rams passing attack has struggled and one could argue had an impact on Foles's play going from the qb we seen in the opener against the Seahawks to the qb who passes sailed and ended the season on the bench. Which brings us to the next prospect with day 1 starter potential.

2.) Nick Vannett - List of Vannett's weaknesses greater than Henry's in many draft profiles. But Vannett may even be better than Henry in one all too important aspect of TE assignments in a Rams offense, the ability to make the heavily contested catch ( exactly how many times did we see these passes bounce off Cooks hands last season when Rams went over the middle?) Vannett needs some work on refining some of his routes at the next level, but nothing that cannot be accomplished in the rookie OTA's and training camp. Has exceptional body control and catch radius.

The Rams sat on the sidelines the last two drafts at the wr position for the most part and some really good talent at the position went to other teams throughout the league. This draft just does not have that type of talent at the wr position. No this is the draft the Rams need to address the TE position finally and find a prospect we will see on the highlight shows Sunday night and Monday morning. Have zero issues with Rams going Henry at 15. But no matter what they do this draft at 15, hoping when all is settled they have added one of these three prospects, with Higbee being a solid choice in his own right, a TE who if given time like Eifert received with the Bengals will solve the Rams equation here for years to come.

[Macnasty357]

Spent a lot of time on the TE position this draft for obvious reasons. Most know my stance on Cook, Rams simply have to cut bait here. No matter what direction Rams go at qb, that qb's success will depend largely on how Rams address the TE position. However with Gurley now on board, moving on from Cook does present a challenge, a surprising challenge given Cooks resume when signed by Rams. Many viewed Cook a poor blocking TE when Rams acquired him, needing much work in this area. Credit our new OC here Boras, as for all the frustration Cook brings to the passing game, he does seal the edges well. And with Gurley on board, Rams cannot afford a drop off here next season. Moving on from Cook means they need a Day 1 starter this draft. My list has changed as I looked for scheme fit TE's who can thrive in a Boras Offense. There are 3 TE's I am very high on this draft, but only two appear to be day 1 starters. The third prospect Higbee, will in all likelihood need a year with the Rams trainers, adding strength/weight and working on leverage techniques required at the next level to succeed as an inline blocking TE. He needs a year to "fill out his frame" He is included in the discussion if for some inane reason the Rams decide to allow Cook to play out the last year of his contract. In this scenario one could assume a trade up for a qb occurs and Rams simply do not have the draft capitol to address the position by the end of round 2.

1.) Hunter Henry - Had early concerns about Henry's blocking ability at next level. No longer, Henry not only has the ability to block at the next level, he has the potential to do it at a pro bowl level. His father was an offensive tackle. Some early draft perceptions of Henry were dead wrong here. The more I see of Henry the more it appears he is for real, this kid has a very good chance of being the next Witten, Gronk at the position. And these type of TE's do not come along often. Knew any Rams offense with Boras at the helm requires a Gronk/Witten/Gates versus a Graham at the position. And one of the strengths of the Rams passing attack is the ability to create and find the mismatch of the TE on a lb in single coverage. Cooks continued failure to provide the safety blanket for the qb is very, very high on the list of reasons Rams passing attack has struggled and one could argue had an impact on Foles's play going from the qb we seen in the opener against the Seahawks to the qb who passes sailed and ended the season on the bench. Which brings us to the next prospect with day 1 starter potential.

2.) Nick Vannett - List of Vannett's weaknesses greater than Henry's in many draft profiles. But Vannett may even be better than Henry in one all too important aspect of TE assignments in a Rams offense, the ability to make the heavily contested catch ( exactly how many times did we see these passes bounce off Cooks hands last season when Rams went over the middle?) Vannett needs some work on refining some of his routes at the next level, but nothing that cannot be accomplished in the rookie OTA's and training camp. Has exceptional body control and catch radius.

The Rams sat on the sidelines the last two drafts at the wr position for the most part and some really good talent at the position went to other teams throughout the league. This draft just does not have that type of talent at the wr position. No this is the draft the Rams need to address the TE position finally and find a prospect we will see on the highlight shows Sunday night and Monday morning. Have zero issues with Rams going Henry at 15. But no matter what they do this draft at 15, hoping when all is settled they have added one of these three prospects, with Higbee being a solid choice in his own right, a TE who if given time like Eifert received with the Bengals will solve the Rams equation here for years to come.

Jerell Adams and Higbee in later rounds

[George Costanza]

Personally I'd prefer them to target Zach Miller in FA from Chicago and save this early-mid pick on a different position (i.e. WR, ILB, DE). He actually had a really great 2nd half of the season last year, gaining at least 50+ yards or scoring at least one TD in 6 of his last 8 games. We've already signed CHI's QB and RB coaches from last year in Mike Groh and Skip Peete respectively, so the transition should be pretty minimal.

[poplarbluffman]

Jeff Heuerman was the better Ohio St TE prospect and went in very end the 3rd rd pick 28th pick last year

Vannett can block...straight line runner with avg speed for a te
Henry is a real pass catching threat and Jerrell Adams should go mid 2nd/early 3rd and has all pro potential

Higbee is a solid later rd guy.after that a bad draft for te prospects ...really only 3 guys are locks to start day 1

[Wildflecken]

Jeff Heuerman was the better Ohio St TE prospect and went in very end the 3rd rd pick 28th pick last year

Vannett can block...straight line runner with avg speed for a te
Henry is a real pass catching threat and Jerrell Adams should go mid 2nd/early 3rd and has all pro potential

Higbee is a solid later rd guy.after that a bad draft for te prospects ...really only 3 guys are locks to start day 1

1.) Enjoy talking draft with you, consider you one of the more knowledgeable posters on prospect evals.

2.) Do you consider Adams a Day 1 starter? I don't at least not one that is ready day 1. Put him in same class as Higbee in that he will need a year adding weight/strength at next level. See too much of Cook in Adams, one who will wow on pajama day (combine) but under produce on field.

3.) My take, Henry and Vannett are the two day 1 starters this draft and both good fits in Rams scheme. Henry of course is a prospect that can play in any scheme and when that type athlete is available on draft day my money says go get him, I want him on my roster.
Vannett does need some refinement with route running. But can seal edges day 1 for Rams and make the tough catch over middle. That alone is enough to be an upgrade over Cook. Vannett may not wow on pajama day, but when it counts his game speed is sufficient to play and succeed at next level. Have no issue with sacrificing a half step in separation when player will get to spot coached and desired, use proper technique and body control and has the hands that result in making the catch/tough catch. Additionally Vannett has been well coached at college level and knows how to sit down in a zone. With emphasis Rams place on blocking Vannett being high on their board at the TE position would not be a huge surprise.

[poplarbluffman]

yeah...Kendricks struggles as as inline blocker and Vannett would be a upgrade as a classic Y te

seen enough of Cook..both Henry and Adams are better..Adams battles as a blocker at 243 and is very bright..will quickly learn the playbook..basically a smarter, better blocking version of Cook

2 2's...be nice if they add at top te...sure make our red zone offense better

[Dodgersrf]

Personally I'd prefer them to target Zach Miller in FA from Chicago and save this early-mid pick on a different position (i.e. WR, ILB, DE). He actually had a really great 2nd half of the season last year, gaining at least 50+ yards or scoring at least one TD in 6 of his last 8 games. We've already signed CHI's QB and RB coaches from last year in Mike Groh and Skip Peete respectively, so the transition should be pretty minimal.

Good point T-Bone.

[Wildflecken]

yeah...Kendricks struggles as as inline blocker and Vannett would be a upgrade as a classic Y te

seen enough of Cook..both Henry and Adams are better..Adams battles as a blocker at 243 and is very bright..will quickly learn the playbook..basically a smarter, better blocking version of Cook

2 2's...be nice if they add at top te...sure make our red zone offense better

Going to need to watch some more tape on Adams, but what many missed on Cook was his way below NFL standard body control and catch radius so when I say too much Cook in Adams this is what I refer too. If you want a TE who goes over the middle, makes the tough chain moving catch or a TE effective in tight spaces (red zone) this is a must for TE's. Hey Cook is great if you can hit him in stride on a quick slant when aligned one on one with a lb. If you call this in right defensive look Cook breaks this for 40 plus. But that's where it ends for Cook, teams who had him high on their radar fell in love with this one aspect of his game where his speed could create this mismatch. Most offenses can run these routes with their slot or by moving pre snap alignment of outside wr. Cooks route tree extremely limited for a TE in today's NFL. Not that Rams did not attempt to expand routes ran by Cook, but we seen the results.
Simply does not have the body control and hands/catch radius to be effective at this level. And the void created by not fielding an NFL caliber TE on game day really hampers this offense's production. Help at wr is also needed, but my take, even without any changes at the wr position, this offense improves greatly merely by adding an NFL caliber TE, similar to the dimension Greg Olsen provided in Carolina this season when injuries in camp devastated the wideout position there.

Rams need to add one in a hurry and why I have no issues going Henry at 15, maybe a slight overdraft when considering the whole field of prospects who will still be on board, but if Henry becomes the next Witten/Gronk/Jackie Smith don't think it ends up as a Rams reached scenario, certainly more valuable than a TA at 8 overall

[George Costanza]

Personally I'd prefer them to target Zach Miller in FA from Chicago and save this early-mid pick on a different position (i.e. WR, ILB, DE). He actually had a really great 2nd half of the season last year, gaining at least 50+ yards or scoring at least one TD in 6 of his last 8 games. We've already signed CHI's QB and RB coaches from last year in Mike Groh and Skip Peete respectively, so the transition should be pretty minimal.

Good point T-Bone.

Thanks. I'm quite familiar with Miller's recent success since he was my starting TE in fantasy for the 2nd half of the year... but obviously the question is whether we'll have someone capable under center to fire it to him up the seams. What does concern me about him though is he's already 31yo and the word is he'll be demanding $5M per. I'm not so sure he gets that number at his age, but if we're savvy with our restructuring (JL55, CL91, JC89, etc.) we might as well make a run at Martellus Bennett who should also be available for a similar price tag (he's only 28, but one of the better overal blockers and a solid redzone threat at 6'6, 270). Although he did miss the last 6 weeks of the regular season on IR (ribs).

[NN1Badboy]

Wildflecken, any chance we can drop Kendricks and take both Henry and Vannett? We've seen how Snead and Fisher like to double down at a position. Why not do it at TE this year?