04-03-2017, 12:26 PM
(04-03-2017, 11:50 AM)ochocincos Wrote: The reality is if you take Hodges, Engram, Leggett, etc, you're going to have to spend a good amount of time improving their blocking. That means they will likely only be able to be used as a big WR out of the gate. That will mean more limited usage. To become a good TE and be used often with the Bengals, they will need to block well. We saw that happen with Chase Coffman. While he was supposed to be an extremely prolific receiver, he was terrible at blocking, and therefore was never put on the field. So while a 3rd rounder could become as good or better than a 1st rounder, they likely won't be so in their first couple years, at least in the Bengals scheme where they expect their TEs to block well.
We use our TE's and backs to block the least of almost any team in the NFL on passing downs. As for running, willing blockers at TE will make them average blockers at TE. Jordan Reed didn't come out as much of a blocker but you make sacrifices for the talent they bring. I am not drafting a guy two rounds earlier with a top 10 pick because he gives you a little more in run blocking. We already have Eiffert and Kroft TE is a luxury pick at this point and to me that luxury could be had in the third.
Obviously this is just my opinion, but the infatuation with Howard is interesting. The last 7 or so years of 1st round TE's has been pretty miss compared to 2nd-3rd round picks.
