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I know Tight Ends aren't the most glamorous guys on the field, but I've always had a special affinity with them (which explains my name, Shock Doctor referring to Shockey) and while this wasn't an extraordinary class I think it's quite intriguing, given critics were divided amongst 3-4 primary players for best of the class and it was a wide open race throughout the draft, allowing teams to draft more on specific skill sets and system fits.
This isn't a discussion about who should have been first drafted etc., it's about when all is said and done ten to fifteen years down the line who will be considered to have had the best career?
These are the front-runners...
John Carlson (Seahawks) - Possibly, with the exception of Matt Ryan, there was no player who had scouts so widely divided. Some saw him as the prototypical all-around TE who can step in on day one and stay there for the next decade while others saw him as slow as molasses, unable to stretch the field, that his high ranking is the product of his school's name and he'll never be anything more than a depth guy.
Fred Davis (Redskins) - "Rocked up WR" who, though not having elite height, is considered to be the top pass catching tight end in the draft, and has the capability to contribute in the run game, though not too effectively.
Dustin Keller (Jets) - Same as Davis just more extreme. Definitely not elite height, more of an H-Back, and will only be effective in certain schemes. Though he has the bulk he is pretty much a non-existent blocker.
Martellus Bennett (Cowboys) - The wild-card of the TE class basically fell into a perfect situation in Big D. Bennett, the most physically gifted TE in 2008 basically has no ceiling and could rack up massive numbers in the already potent Cowboy O.
Jermichael Finley (Packers) - For sake of time he is a poor man's Bennett. Not exactly the same skillset, but is a young athletic TE who given the right coaching and environment could be special. Really really should have stayed in school, but unfortunately he's a little too into making babies
Others...
Kellen Davis (Bears) - Needs to go grow up, but has all the tools
Craig Stevens (Titans) - Probably will never factor too much into the passing game, but is the best blocking TE in the class and will likely have a long, successful career
Martin Rucker (Browns) - Productive college career but might not have what it takes to be a #1 in the NFL
Brad Cottam (Chiefs) - massive receiving and blocking threat who I think, along with Dorsey, Albert and Flowers will help to make the 2008 Chiefs draft one of the best of all time
As aforementioned, I may be the only one who gives a **** about TE's and this likely won't be too popular of a thread but would still like to hear some feedback
This isn't a discussion about who should have been first drafted etc., it's about when all is said and done ten to fifteen years down the line who will be considered to have had the best career?
These are the front-runners...
John Carlson (Seahawks) - Possibly, with the exception of Matt Ryan, there was no player who had scouts so widely divided. Some saw him as the prototypical all-around TE who can step in on day one and stay there for the next decade while others saw him as slow as molasses, unable to stretch the field, that his high ranking is the product of his school's name and he'll never be anything more than a depth guy.
Fred Davis (Redskins) - "Rocked up WR" who, though not having elite height, is considered to be the top pass catching tight end in the draft, and has the capability to contribute in the run game, though not too effectively.
Dustin Keller (Jets) - Same as Davis just more extreme. Definitely not elite height, more of an H-Back, and will only be effective in certain schemes. Though he has the bulk he is pretty much a non-existent blocker.
Martellus Bennett (Cowboys) - The wild-card of the TE class basically fell into a perfect situation in Big D. Bennett, the most physically gifted TE in 2008 basically has no ceiling and could rack up massive numbers in the already potent Cowboy O.
Jermichael Finley (Packers) - For sake of time he is a poor man's Bennett. Not exactly the same skillset, but is a young athletic TE who given the right coaching and environment could be special. Really really should have stayed in school, but unfortunately he's a little too into making babies
Others...
Kellen Davis (Bears) - Needs to go grow up, but has all the tools
Craig Stevens (Titans) - Probably will never factor too much into the passing game, but is the best blocking TE in the class and will likely have a long, successful career
Martin Rucker (Browns) - Productive college career but might not have what it takes to be a #1 in the NFL
Brad Cottam (Chiefs) - massive receiving and blocking threat who I think, along with Dorsey, Albert and Flowers will help to make the 2008 Chiefs draft one of the best of all time
As aforementioned, I may be the only one who gives a **** about TE's and this likely won't be too popular of a thread but would still like to hear some feedback
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