Eye on the Draft: Jace Amaro
Jace Amaro
Tight End
Texas Tech Red Raiders
6' 5" Tall, 260 Pounds
4.67 - 40 Yard Dash
Projected to be selected in late 1st round of the 2014 NFL Draft
Claim to Fame: Broke the all-time NCAA single-season receiving yardage total for tight ends in 2013 with 1,352 yards
Awards:
Unanimous All American (2013)
All Big 12 (2012, 2013)
College Football Player's Association Tight End of the Year (2013)
Amaro declared himself for the draft after his Junior year, a season in which his absolutely dominated Big 12 defenses. Not only did he break the all time single-season yardage mark for a tight end in NCAA history, but he also was the only tight end to average over 100 yards per game (103).
The Fit:
Exactly what the Patriots needed last season, and exactly what they are still in need of - a combination of what former Patriot Aaron Hernandez brought to the field, but with the attitude and skill set after the catch that makes him more Gronk-esque.
Big time slot presence, cat-quick and smooth out of his breaks, gains separation with ease using his large frame and long arms. Amaro has huge hands, catches just about everything thrown at him and utilizes a unique combination of brute strength and elusiveness to gain many yards after the catch.
Amaro is an imposing presence in the seam, where college linebackers and defensive backs could not handle him. Used more like a slot receiver and catches everything with his hands. Despite his ability to elude defenders after the catch, Amaro displayed the mentality of a wrecking ball, looking to punish them by running them over.
The Caveat:
Was not asked to do much inline blocking, and while the size and ability is present, little is known about his aptitude. Why? Because Amaro was basically a slot receiver at A&M. A big, scary slot receiver.
But there are three things that Bill Belichick and the scouting department need to clear up: First, his health. This should be the least of the worries, though a fractured rib in his sophomore season lacerated his spleen and he nearly bled to death internally.
The toughness he displayed in going back out onto the field after taking that massive shot to the ribs is nothing short of crazy, as he caught two passes before becoming too weak to continue. He was bed-ridden for three weeks, but worked his way back onto the field for the Mineke Car Care Bowl against Minnesota where the second issue arose, ejected for punching the lights out of a Minnesota player that got up in his face.
The third issue was being arrested for credit card fraud along with a teammate just before that sophomore season, accused of running up a bar tab on a credit card that did not belong to them. As it turns out, he was never charged of the second degree felony, but the lack of maturity in putting himself in that position is a bit alarming.
The Potential:
Although displaying a lack of maturity and playing just one full season as a full-time starter, there is little doubt that Amaro is NFL ready. Scouts are comparing him in a broad spectrum ranging from Dallas Cowboy's second rounder from 2013, Gavin Escobar to Atlanta Falcons' sure-fire Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez - and any team would love to have anything in between.
Amaro's skill set fits the Patriots' needs perfectly, as he has the athleticism to handle short to intermediate safety valve and possession duties with the bulk, speed and attitude to own the seam - and with tight end being one of New England's top priorities this offseason, Amaro could be everything the Patriots are looking for.
For a complete list of the Eye on the Draft series, click here
Let us know in the comment section what you think of Jace Amaro joining the Pats!
Tight End
6' 5" Tall, 260 Pounds
4.67 - 40 Yard Dash
Projected to be selected in late 1st round of the 2014 NFL Draft
Claim to Fame: Broke the all-time NCAA single-season receiving yardage total for tight ends in 2013 with 1,352 yards
Awards:
Unanimous All American (2013)
All Big 12 (2012, 2013)
College Football Player's Association Tight End of the Year (2013)
Amaro declared himself for the draft after his Junior year, a season in which his absolutely dominated Big 12 defenses. Not only did he break the all time single-season yardage mark for a tight end in NCAA history, but he also was the only tight end to average over 100 yards per game (103).
The Fit:
Exactly what the Patriots needed last season, and exactly what they are still in need of - a combination of what former Patriot Aaron Hernandez brought to the field, but with the attitude and skill set after the catch that makes him more Gronk-esque.
Big time slot presence, cat-quick and smooth out of his breaks, gains separation with ease using his large frame and long arms. Amaro has huge hands, catches just about everything thrown at him and utilizes a unique combination of brute strength and elusiveness to gain many yards after the catch.
Amaro is an imposing presence in the seam, where college linebackers and defensive backs could not handle him. Used more like a slot receiver and catches everything with his hands. Despite his ability to elude defenders after the catch, Amaro displayed the mentality of a wrecking ball, looking to punish them by running them over.
The Caveat:
Was not asked to do much inline blocking, and while the size and ability is present, little is known about his aptitude. Why? Because Amaro was basically a slot receiver at A&M. A big, scary slot receiver.
But there are three things that Bill Belichick and the scouting department need to clear up: First, his health. This should be the least of the worries, though a fractured rib in his sophomore season lacerated his spleen and he nearly bled to death internally.
The toughness he displayed in going back out onto the field after taking that massive shot to the ribs is nothing short of crazy, as he caught two passes before becoming too weak to continue. He was bed-ridden for three weeks, but worked his way back onto the field for the Mineke Car Care Bowl against Minnesota where the second issue arose, ejected for punching the lights out of a Minnesota player that got up in his face.
The third issue was being arrested for credit card fraud along with a teammate just before that sophomore season, accused of running up a bar tab on a credit card that did not belong to them. As it turns out, he was never charged of the second degree felony, but the lack of maturity in putting himself in that position is a bit alarming.
The Potential:
Although displaying a lack of maturity and playing just one full season as a full-time starter, there is little doubt that Amaro is NFL ready. Scouts are comparing him in a broad spectrum ranging from Dallas Cowboy's second rounder from 2013, Gavin Escobar to Atlanta Falcons' sure-fire Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez - and any team would love to have anything in between.
Amaro's skill set fits the Patriots' needs perfectly, as he has the athleticism to handle short to intermediate safety valve and possession duties with the bulk, speed and attitude to own the seam - and with tight end being one of New England's top priorities this offseason, Amaro could be everything the Patriots are looking for.
For a complete list of the Eye on the Draft series, click here
Let us know in the comment section what you think of Jace Amaro joining the Pats!
