Tackled for a Loss: Draft Preview- TE’s

[Philadelphia Freedom]

Dateline: 4/19/02
by Linus Scrimmage

Jeremy Shockey - Miami (Fla.) 6-6 240 pounds
Jeremy Shockey is very good at finding the right spot on the field to settle in and make a catch. Very good at running after the catch and is always looking to make the big play. Shockey has very good instincts and most of that comes from being a wide receiver in high school and before he transferred to Miami (Fla.) after one season in college. Shockey is still a bit on the small side but he has great size and makes it no secret that blocking is not his forte. With the career of Shannon Sharpe winding down, Shockey looks to be not only a great receiver but a great trash talker. Shockey has the demeanor of a Sharpe and plays with a lot of confidence. While Daniel Graham and Jerramy Stevens may go in the first round, Jeremy Shockey seems to be the only first round guarantee of the group and he is the top prospect here. Could go as early as #12 overall where the Arizona Cardinals now sit, made the right decision in going pro after his junior season.

Dan Graham - Colorado 6-3 240 pounds
If Daniel Graham were a little taller he would be the #1 prospect at this spot. One reason is Daniel Graham has the best hands of any tight end available, and second place isn't even close. Graham has great speed in the open field and can find a seam in a defense. Graham is small at just 240 pounds but his blocking has improved a lot. While Graham has proved he isn't a dominating blocker he can get by and it is an area he will continue to improve upon at the Pro level. Graham has a great chance of being a late first round draft pick along with Jeremy Shockey of Miami (Fla.) while Jerramy Stevens of Washington could sneak into the first round as well. Graham should be the second tight end taken and he will have a chance to show his receiving prowess immediately. The Pittsburgh Steelers are very interested now and seem to be a good fit for Graham.

Jerramy Stevens - Washington 6-7 260 pounds
At 6-7 and 260 pounds Stevens has ideal size and it will be his selling point for NFL teams. The New England Patriots are desperate to find a reliable tight end and Stevens is high on their list right now. Stevens has a terrific burst off the line of scrimmage and he uses his momentum to catch the ball well on the run in the open field. Does a good job of shedding blocks at the line of scrimmage and is good in pass protection when needed. Run blocking is still a bit of an adventure for Stevens and it will be an aspect of his game where improvement is needed. Stevens is coming out of school early and has only two years as a tight end under his belt so inexperience is a concern. Stevens came to Washington as a quarterback and that part of his past seems to bring good instincts with route running. Has had some injury problems but nothing very serious that should push him past the middle of the second round. Has more upside than any of the top-notch tight ends in the draft.

Chris Baker - Michigan State 6-3 260 pounds
Could be the most underrated player at his position in the draft. We have seen instances where Baker looks like the second coming of Mark Bavaro and others where he looks like David LaFleur. Baker is a good blocker who doesn't get enough credit for his technique. Baker isn't a speedster and his footwork will need some work if he wants to create separation in the open field. But Baker has very good hands and will catch almost anything thrown his way. Is on the fence when it comes to whether he will be a first or second day prospect at the draft.

Terry Jones Jr. - Alabama 6-4 265 pounds
Terry Jones Jr. is a prospect who has worked very hard to get where he is today. Jones has the complete package as a tight end, he is an above average receiver who runs well in the open field. Jones is hard to bring down and normally it can't be done by just one tackler. Jones is still a fast player but he has lost a step since tearing his ACL in 2000. Jones is still a highly touted prospect because he showed no ill effects or lingering injury problems except for the speed he has lost. Jones will have to improve his footwork when working in close quarters and gain some lower leg strength. Will be a draft pick taken during the middle rounds.

Darnell Sanders - Ohio State 6-5 265 pounds
I really wish Sanders would have stayed at Ohio State because with a solid year he could have been the first tight end selected in 2003. Sanders has the physical makeup you are looking for in a tight end. Good height and good size, runs very well for such a big target. Burst off the line of scrimmage is below average but he can turn it up in the open field and has proven to be elusive and moves well in all directions. Blocking is pretty sound and he excels in short yardage situations. Sanders has a good grasp of the game but he has shown that he is inconsistent at times. Is swallowed in traffic at times and can be taken away by good linebacker coverage, needs to create more separation between he and the defenders at the next level. Sanders has good technique and always seems to have his body in the right position but I have seen his hands let him down at times. Drops the ball too often for a highly regarded prospect at tight end. The fact that Sanders does so many things so well will land him in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft. Right now Sanders is very reminiscent of a Jay Riemersma type of player.

Robert Royal - LSU 6-5 255 pounds
Robert Royal is a very polished tight end who is ready for life in the NFL. Royal is a good receiver although I feel he was under utilized a bit on the colligate level. Royal has good strength in his upper and lower body and has the capability to be a dominating blocker. Royal needs to improve his footwork and his leverage at the point of attack to be more effective in short yardage situations. Royal has shown that he has soft hands and has provided his team with a lot of clutch catches in third down situations. Royal needs to run crisper routes and needs help breaking free at the line of scrimmage. Royal is a little weak moving laterally while pass blocking and his vision seems to be a bit limited. Royal could go as high as round 2, I think he is a first day draft pick going in the 2nd or 3rd round and can contribute immediately to a team.

Tim Stratton - Purdue 6-4 250 pounds
Tim Stratton was named the nations top tight end in 2000 and mulled coming out of school early after the departure of Drew Brees. Stratton stayed for his senior year but didn't help or hurt his draft status this season. Stratton is very hard to bring down and runs like a fullback after he gets the ball. Stratton is very slow but he is a good route runner who gets separation underneath against a defense. Very good in the red zone and has long snapping experience, somewhat of a lost art in the NFL today. Stratton has good body control and does a good job of feeling where defenders are in the secondary. Isn't a very effective pass blocker and doesn't have the size you are looking for. I think Stratton can be extremely productive but he needs the right offense around him. Stratton looks like an H-back and could play a role like Frank Wycheck or Marcus Pollard for the right NFL team. Might need a little time to adjust to the NFL but he is a solid mid-round pick.