Patriots Draft Needs: Positional review- Tight End
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| Could Seferian-Jenkins be an option to team up with Gronk on the Patriots? Joshua Bessex/ theDailyUW.com |
As the 2014 NFL draft rapidly approaches, we're turning our focus here at PatriotsLife towards the draft. Keeping that in mind, I'll be reviewing a different position of the Patriots roster each weekday, looking over their level of need at that position and some potential draft fits specific to their needs.Today we take on one of the most glaring needs on the roster: Tight end
Position: Tight end
Currently under contract:
Rob Gronkowski (signed through 2019)
Michael Hoomanawanui (signed through 2015)
D.J. Williams (signed through 2014)
Mark Harrison (signed through 2015)*
*WR/TE
Level of need: Short-term: High, Long-term: High
Positional outlook:
What a difference a year makes. At this time last year, tight end was considered one of the strong points of the entire roster, with both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez young, talented and signed for the long-haul.
Now Hernandez is making headlines by threatening prison guards while he awaits his murder trial, and Gronkowski is rehabbing from his sixth surgery since November 2012, this time for a torn ACL. When Gronkowski was out of the lineup last year, the teams was reduced to Hoomanawanui and the since departed Mike Mulligan at tight end, a pair of excellent blockers who could essentially be ignored by opposing defenses in the passing game. What once was a strength had quickly become a crippling weakness.
While Gronkowski is obviously a difference-maker when healthy, his injuries have become frequent enough for the team to need essentially a second starter at the position. The importance of this need is amplified by Gronkowski likely missing a chunk of the season as he recovers from his knee injury, but they'll be a need for "Gronk insurance" as long as the big tight end is in New England. An ideal candidate would be capable both of playing as a Gronk fill-in at the traditional "in-line TE" spot, and also of complementing Gronk as a "move" option when the two eventually take the field together; however, any option with some receiving ability would be a dramatic improvement over the toothless threat the position posed after Gronk's injury. Ability in the red zone should also be prioritized, considering the team's lack of proven options there behind Gronk.
It's not a great year to be needing a tight end, with a steep decline in quality after the top three or four prospects, but even in a down year there are some intriguing options out there for the Pats. Lets take a look at a few of them.
Ideal fit: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
'An ideal candidate would be capable both of playing as a Gronk fill-in at the traditional "in-line TE" spot, and also of complementing Gronk as a "move" option when the two eventually take the field together.' Simply put, there isn't a prospect in the draft better suited to fill that specific need than ASJ, a big talented pass catcher who showed improvement as a blocker in 2013.
The upside is obvious as a pass catcher. Seferian-Jenkins possesses an impressive combination of size (6'6", 266 with long arms) and natural athleticism. His speed and body control are rare for a man that size, and he has excellent hands that can pluck the ball away from defenders at it's highest point. While his athleticism makes him tough to bring down after the catch, he uses his talent best in the red zone, where he caught 8 touchdowns in 2013 despite playing in Washington's run-heavy offense.
Speaking of that offense, the switch to a run-heavy scheme this year hurt ASJ's numbers, but forced him to develop his versatility. While he'll never be a Gronk-like mauler as a blocker, Seferian-Jenkins should dramatic improvement in that area, and his solid blocking contributed to RB Bishop Sankey's big year. He's certainly capable of playing both on the line and split out, versatility that should help his stock with the Patriots.
There are some red flags here. He faced questions about his character after a DUI last spring, although he did handle that with impressive maturity, appearing alongside the arresting officer to speak with youths about the dangers of alcohol. He was suspended for Washington's first game of 2013 for that transgression, and served one day in prison.
Perhaps more importantly, his diagnosis of a fractured foot at the combine will likely prevent him from working out for teams prior to the draft. ASJ should earn points for the toughness he showed playing well the majority of 2013 with that injury undiagnosed, but the uncertainty it presents teams will likely be enough to push him into the second round. While it would be a surprise to see him last to the Patriots second round pick (62), it would also be a surprise to see them not making trades up and down the draft board. A trade out of the first round (perhaps to a team looking to leapfrog Houston and land a quarterback) could give them an extra pick in the top half of the second round. That's around were ASJ is projected to go, and he could be a phenomenal fit on paper to fill the team's need.
Other Potential Fits:
Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
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| Niklas was nicknamed "Hercules" at Notre Dame |
Niklas isn't in ASJ's class as a pass catcher, but there's definitely some talent to be excited about here as well. His height, strength and massive catch radius make him a promising option in the red zone. He has excellent, reliable hands and sneaky speed to threaten up seams. He also carries over that physicality into his running after the catch, where he won't make many defenders miss but he will bull his way through tackle attempts.
Another intriguing thing about Niklas is that he has more room to develop. 2013 was his only year as the starter, as he complemented eventual Mackey Award winner and Bengals first round pick Tyler Eifert in a blocking role in 2012. The Irish thought enough of his athleticism that they moved him to linebacker as a freshman to get him on the field, a role in which he started a game against Michigan State. With only a year under his belt as a big part of the passing offense, he could have room to improve with a little refinement in his route running.
I like Niklas and think he'll be a solid pro, but I'm a little worried that "solid" might be his ceiling. The Patriots need more help at the receiving aspect of the position than the blocking, where Gronkowski and Hooman are more than solid, and Niklas doesn't project as a game-changing player in the passing game. Given the choice between him and Seferian-Jenkins, I'd go with ASJ, even if it takes a higher pick to get him.
CJ Fiedorowicz, Iowa
Fiedorowicz has solidly established himself as the top tight end option after the first two rounds, when Eric Ebron, Jace Amaro, ASJ and Niklas are expected to go off the board. Fieodorowicz came into the process a bit of a sleeper prospect, with low statistical production thanks to low usage at Iowa. However, he's impressed throughout the pre-draft process, and is expected to go in rounds three/four.
At 6'6", 260, Fiedorowicz has the prototypical build for a pro tight end. His athleticism and straight line speed is very solid for a man his size. He doesn't have quite as wide a catch radius as ASJ, but like the Washington tight end he has good hands and impressive body control for such a big target. He also impresses on tape as a blocker, where he is willing and physical.
However, I have the same questions about Fiedorowicz as I do about Niklas: does he have the pure speed to be a receiving weapon in the NFL? I think he can contribute in the league, but he's more likely to earn playing time with his blocking than his pass catching. He's one of the better options out there, but I'm still not quite sold that adding him would be enough to bolster the position for Gronk's absence at the start of the season.
Jake Murphy, Utah
A better value than Fiedorowicz could come in the form of Utah's Jake Murphy, who should be available into the fifth round. Murphy has been largely overlooked in the draft process, partly from playing at Utah and partly due to his missing four games last year with a broken wrist.
That belies an impressive skill-set that could help him emerge as a steal in this draft. Murphy has good hands and the focus to make contested catches in traffic. His body control is impressive for a player with his thick build (6'3", 253), and his underrated athleticism makes him a tough, physical runner after the catch. He flashed the versatility to play in-line, in the slot, and as an H-back with the Utes, while also showing improvement as a blocker in 2013. He also has potential to improve as blocker with his size, although receiving was clearly the strength of his game in college.
There are always questions marks about any prospect, and Murphy is no exception. At 6'3", he's not quite the red zone target of any of the aforementioned TE prospects. He's also not particularly quick or shifty, although his surprising speed helps him compensate for that as a route runner.
However, the combination of his receiving skills, pro-readiness, and lack of any discernible hype call to mind Dennis Pitta, who's gone on to be a very productive pro after sliding to the Ravens in the 2010 fourth round. Murphy's upside is arguably higher than prospects like Fiedorowicz or Colorado State's Crockett Gillmore, yet he's project to be there a round or two later. The value could be great in that range.
Potential Reach: Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
Yes, the same Jace Amaro that seemed to be ubiquitously linked to the Pats in February mock drafts. Let me explain why I have him listed as a reach.
There's no question that Amaro has potential as a receiver. Lining up primarily in the slot, he caught 106 balls for 1,352 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2013. He was an athletic mismatch in Texas Tech's wide open passing game, proving too fast for most linebackers and too big (6'5", 265) for most defensive backs, and he brings additional value as an excellent threat after the catch.
Most of those picking Amaro to the Pats have done so on the basis that he would fill the former role of Aaron Hernandez, allowing the team to recreate the two tight end offense that took the league by storm in 2011. While this is certainly a role suited to Amaro's skill-set, I'm not so sure he's quite the talent Hernandez was.
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| Amaro has talent, but is he the best fit available? Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News |
This is the reason I think the Pats should be focusing on a player who is equally capable of filling Gronk's role and complementing him in other ways when Gronk is available. While Amaro would be an intriguing fit as a complement to Gronk, I'm not so sure the impact will be the same when Gronk is unavailable. Amaro simply isn't physical enough as a blocker to play in-line, which he rarely did with the Red Raiders. Instead, he was essentially a big slot receiver in their offense, a role most think he'd need to continue in to have success at the next level.
The Patriots already have tons of depth in the slot, with Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman both retained for this year. It could be tough for Amaro, Amendola and Edelman to all get on the field in their preferred role in the slot and get consistent looks from Tom Brady, and the team would still be filling it's in-line role with underwhelming receiver Hoomanawanui.
One other reason to be wary of Amaro: there are some character concerns lurking. He was arrested last offseason for unauthorized usage of a credit card (considering he was still 20 at the time and also using an altered driving license, it was probably a ploy to get served at the bar). Perhaps more concerning is the lack of discipline he showed when he was ejected from a 2012 bowl game for throwing a punch.
While Amaro's stock has soured some following a combine that raised unexpected questions about his speed, he's still expected to go in the top half of the second round. That would present a choice between Seferian-Jenkins and Amaro, and I'd pick the better fit and red zone play of ASJ over Amaro any day. I also think there will be better value available on defense in that range than Amaro presents.
Potential Sleeper: Jordan Najvar, Baylor
Najvar comes into the draft an unheralded prospect because of how little Baylor utilizes the tight end position; he only caught 10 balls for 85 yards in 2013. As a result, Najvar should be around in the late rounds, and could even go undrafted.
However, that belies a solid skill-set that could translate well to the pros, as Najvar is a well-rounded prospect. At 6'6", 256, he has pro size, and was good enough as a blocker to earn honorable mention for the All Big 12 team selected by the coaches. Najvar also has soft hands and good body control, with surprising athleticism. He's not a burner by any means, but he plays much faster than his 40 time of 4.93.
One place where Najvar (rhymes with "diver", somehow) established himself as a prospect to watch was at the East-West Shrine game. Playing against more heralded competition, Najvar stood out all week in practice, and was the first player Texans DC Romeo Crennel mentioned when asked who had impressed him during the week.
High risk, high reward: Colt Lyeria, Oregon
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| Lyeria isn't worth the trouble. Mark Rebilas/USA Today Sports |
I mention Lyeria here because you'll find his picture in the dictionary next to the phrase "high risk, high reward", but I think he is and should be completely off the Patriots draft board. I'm not saying that all character concern players should be off the board, hell I spent most of this column advocating for drafting a guy with a fairly recent DUI. However, the warning signs are too obvious and too plentiful for me to think Lyeria would even warrant a discussion in the post-Hernandez era, even if he slips to the seventh round as expected.
First, lets look at the positives. Lyeria is a freakishly athletic pass catcher whose explosiveness pops on film. That speed could make him a major threat attacking the seams at the next level, and Lyeria brings some nasty physicality both running after the catch and as a blocker.
The problem is he apparently is either unable or unwilling to turn that "nasty" mentality off when he leaves the field. Lets take a brief look at his tumultuous Oregon career, with an assist from this story on Eagles fan site BleedingGreenNation.
- April 2012: A very intoxicated Lyeria (according to reports) is accused of assaulting three men on their way home from a local bar. Charges are dropped when the victims, apparently UO fans, decide not to press the matter.
- Fall of 2012: Lyeria held out of camp for 9 days for undisclosed reasons. Many believe this was for cocaine rehab. More on that to come.
- Spring of 2013: Lyeria tweets out a youtube video outlining a conspiracy theory concerning the tragic Sandy Hook shootings. Apparently of the belief that the shootings were staged as part of a government conspiracy to influence gun control, he then tweets out the following, which will really endear him to the Connecticut-based Patriots fans
- September of 2013: Lyeria held out of game versus Tennessee after missing three practices the previous week. When asked why, Head Coach Mark Helfrich won't elaborate beyond "circumstances". Lyeria responded by claiming he had the flu and saying he's "upset by the way Coach Helfrich said that after the game".
- October 5, 2013: Lyeria suspended for team's game versus Colorado for violating team rules.
- October 6, 2013: Lyeria abruptly quits the Oregon football team, comically claiming that quitting on the #2 team in the country despite having only two catches in what was supposed to be his breakout season is in his "best interests"
- October 11, 2013: Lyeria's driving license is suspended due to his having four tickets in the past two years
- October 23, 2013: Lyeria arrested for cocaine possession after getting caught snorting lines in a parked car in broad daylight in downtown Eugene, Oregon. Agrees to lead the arresting officer to his apartment but then flees, landing an additional charge of interfering with an officer. The incidence gives credence to the nickname "Coke Lyeria", which apparently was widespread on the Universities campus.
Oh, and even on the field Lyeria never lived up to the hype. Despite his talent, Lyeria only managed 565 yards and 11 touchdowns in his three (realistically two) seasons at Oregon. He also disappointed at the combine, where he was less explosive than expected and struggled a bit catching the ball.
No thanks.
Agree? Disagree? Think I missed someone? Chime in on social media (I'm @therealnedbrady on Twitter) and in the comments. Be sure to check back tomorrow when I look at the offensive tackles (and explain why offensive tackle might be a bigger need than you realize).
