Big Blue Huddle

I watched a game and a half of Engram and I saw nearly a mirror image of Hodges.  They both were used as TE/WR hybrids.   Neither can block very well and they almost never lined up tight.  Engram was used more as an oversized slot receiver while Hodges also lined up outside as well as slot.

Quote from: UKGiantsFan on March 07, 2017, 04:39:52 PM
What makes you think Engram would be available in R2, especially as late as 55? Before the Combine I had him in my top 35.

As for Hodges let me be kind and describe myself as 'not a fan'. His worst traits are a cross between those of Donnell and Tye...



Hodges, agreed. Engram? Nope. He doesn't need to block like Howard Cross to be effective. He sticks to his guy pretty good. Plenty of film showing that

And suddenly Engram at #23 becomes realistic. Put him Fasano, OBJ & Shepard on the field together and '12' personnel becomes '11' (or vice versa) very swiftly. Mismatches everywhere!!

Ceri,

I am not seeing the love for Engram that you have among others in the draft community.   I think his relatively short stature of 6' 3 3/8" may lower his draft stock a bit.  I think many (myself included) prefer TEs to be 6' 5" or bigger.

I think Hodges is a bit of a project.  He's a converted QB with only 3 seasons as a TE/WR.   The tools are there and as a former QB his Football smarts are there.   The team would just need to be patient with him in terms of learning how to block and refining his route running.   I will say I am not happy with the drops that Hodges has. 

Quote from: Cid in Dupont on March 07, 2017, 03:54:31 PM
Personally neither. I hope that we can sign Fassano as a FA.  He's young, great blocker, and already an NFL starter.

I really think that it is truly a crap shoot with anyone other than Howard at the TE spot.  We can't afford crap shoots right now.  Eli only has a couple of decent years left.

IMHO...Cid

Funny, rumor has it the Giants have interest in TE Anthony Fasano

I think there could be room to still draft a TE (especially as Fasano is up there in years).  I wouldn't shed a tear of Will Tye loses his roster spot

Quote from: bamagiantfan on March 07, 2017, 03:24:31 PM
Give me Jordan Leggett from Clemson later in the draft.

He's another intriguing prospect who may have gotten lost in the Combine hype due to not running the 40

Quote from: todge on March 07, 2017, 03:09:35 PM
I think you can scratch Sprinkles from the Giants.  He was arrested in 2014 and again during the 2016 Belk Bowl for shoplifting.

Both Engram and Hodges are converted WRs into TEs.  Both of them have limited experience in the blocking department with neither of them having the lower body power base to ever be effective blockers.  My theory is that the Giants have had enough of TEs who cannot block, so I would be surprised if they pulled the trigger on either of those.  But you never know!

Ted,

I can find nothing on a 2014 arrest.   What was that about?   The shoplifting thing was minor thing and involved some sort of contest/promotion.

As for the other options, no doubt about it blocking would be something they would need to learn almost from scratch.  However, both of these players would offer Eli a nice big target over the middle.  Something Eli hasn't enjoyed since Ballard got hurt. 

I agree the women provoked the incident.  That said, breaking multiple bones in the woman's face could not be justified as self-defense or "she had it coming". 

Joe clearly didn't deal with his anger issues after that incident because there is also this:

Joe Mixon - RB - Sooners
Oklahoma redshirt sophomore RB Joe Mixon will play in the school's game against Baylor after serving a one game suspension against Iowa State.
Mixon lost his temper and threw a fit when given a parking ticket, which led to a one game suspension. This is Mixon's second off field incident, and the first was far more serious. On the field, Mixon has been a ridiculous playmaker, averaging almost seven yards per carry and over 14 yards per reception. He has nine touchdowns on the season.
Source: John Werner on Twitter Mon, Nov 7, 2016 11:47:00 AM

http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/133473/joe-mixon

At TE you need to look at more than the 40 time.  You need to consider height, weight and arm length (important for catching and blocking)

You need to consider the short shuttle and 3 cone (as a good indicator of being able to change direction)

You need to consider the bench press (a good indicator of strength)

The verticle leap and broad jump will show how explosive and lower body power the TE has


So with this in mind

Name   OJ Howard     David Njoku
Height   6' 5 6/8"         6' 4"
Arm      33 1/4"          35 1/4"
Weight   251                246
40       4.51                 4.64
SS      4.16                  4.34
3C     6.85                   6.97
Vert    30"                   37.5"
BJ    10' 1"                  11' 1"
Bench  22                     21

Both of these guys will probably be gone by pick 23.  So you might want to also consider the round two options of

Evan Engram, South Alabama (a UKGiants favorite)

and

Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech

Failing those this old fashioned TE who can block should be available in rounds 3 or 4

Jeremy Sprinkles, Arkansaw

It's a virtual coin toss but if I had to pick I would take Howard as he is the better blocker.

While I tend to be one that often favors trading down in the first round, this year it seems like an even more pressing desire.  I will be curious how the post-Combine mocks shake out and how will be projected as being available for the Giants.  I have a feeling need will not be matching talent

Quote from: Jaime on March 03, 2017, 04:01:36 PM
RB McCaffery has a huge day. Ran 4.48 & looks smooth as silk in the field drills.
RB position is holding up to scrutiny .  It's being called the deepest in years .
Stud wide receiver Mike Williams will not compete.
Mike Mayock calls Guard Lamp the best OL Prospect. It shows u how shallow the OL pool is, when a Tackle  isn't the number one Prospect according to Mayock, who's pretty good at his job.

Worse, I am not even sure Guard is Lamp's best position.  With his size he may end up at Center.

Quote from: UKGiantsFan on March 03, 2017, 02:29:15 PM
I can't see either OJ or Njuko making it to 20.

Reminds me of the year Keith Jackson and Johnny Mitchell went very high. Phenomenal athletes get taken early. I can see the pair being trade bait in the top 12!

I agree I think mocks that have either of them lasting have forgotten that great TEs can and are drafted high.   The problem is there hasn't been great TEs to draft for some time. 

Seeing how this appears to be the way the Giants intend to "fix" their offensive line issues:

QuoteMost of the talk during the first day of combine weigh-ins has centered on the offensive line. In speaking with people, it seems the majority of teams have Cam Robinson, Garett Bolles, Dan Feeney and Dorian Johnson ranked on boards as four of the top five offensive linemen, regardless of position.

After that there

Quote from: UncannyGfan on March 02, 2017, 12:10:52 PM
Do you think both Howard and Njoku will be gone by the time the Giants pick?  Or does Njoku's increasing value improve the chances Howard falls to 23?

It's my observation mocks tend to get more accurate the closer we get to the draft.  Right now I am not seeing either of these TEs falling to the Giants.    That said, the combine has started and that should serve to scramble these mock drafts a bit.  Both from the prospects performances and what the reporters can glean from their sources. 

These measurables will only increase his value.  I know he is on the fan's wishlist but I can't see him lasting until 23

David Njoku - TE - Player
Miami (FL) TE David Njoku measured 6-foot-4, 246 at the Combine weigh-in.
Perhaps most notably, Njoku checked in with a freakish 82 1/2-inch wingspan. Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul's 81-inch wingspan is considered legendary, but Njoku's is longer despite being shorter and svelter than JPP. Njoku's wingspan is only two inches shorter than LeBron James'. Njoku also has big, 10-inch hands. Njoku is a dynamic pass catcher and underrated blocker on college tape. He's neck and neck with O.J. Howard as this year's top tight end prospect.
Source: Charles Robinson on Twitter Mar 2 - 11:32 AM

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/12186/david-njoku