Auden Tate: Where to play him

[Whatever]

(12-30-2019, 03:28 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: Watching Michael Thomas and Larry Fitzgerald, I see I lot of similarities in their body type and athleticism with Auden Tate.  Tate may be a "poor man's" (insert Mike Brown joke here) version of these players, but seeing how Fitz extended his career moving to the slot and how Thomas gets 45% of his targets in the slot, I think it would make sense to move Tate there and try Boyd on the outside.  

Boyd is the best route-runner on the team not named Green, and has more "long speed" than quicks anyways.  

I see Tate as a very reliable, move-the-chains receiver for the Bengals that could fill the role of TJ Whostolemyhonda.  

I guess I just see him as a bit of a waste outside vs. Boyd who could do both.  If Green isn't re-signed or is traded (not likely IMHO), Boyd might be the best choice to replace him.

Thomas and Fitzgerald got looks in the slot because it got them single coverage and both can consistently beat single coverage.  Tate can't consistently beat single coverage, so putting him in the slot is kind of pointless.  Boyd can consistently beat single coverage, so you want him in the slot.  You usually want your slot receiver to have some YAC ability and Tate is lacking there, too.