04-11-2023, 03:18 PM
(04-11-2023, 02:11 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Going even further than the 40, let's look at the rest of the drills for comparison..
Also including OJ Howard, as he was someone who was considered a freak athletic TE who could block but was underutilized in college.
Washington:
Weight - 264 lb
40 - 4.64
10split - 1.61
shuttle - 4.08
broad - 10'2"
vert - 31"
Kelce:
Weight - 255 lb
40 - 4.61
10split - 1.61
shuttle - 4.42
broad - 10'4"
vert - 35"
Howard:
Weight - 251 lb
40 - 4.51
10split - 1.55
shuttle - 4.16
broad - 10'1"
vert - 30"
Washington's agility is overall better than Kelce, about on par with Howard. Washington's straight speed is about identical to Kelce.
All while being about 10 lbs heavier than Kelce, about 15 lbs heavier than Howard.
I think Washington has the *potential* to be a 700+ yard receiving TE if given enough opportunity in an offense and he develops enough in that aspect of his game. I think he's a 400-600 yard guy as is while very likely going to be one of the best blocking TEs in the entire league. That floor is more of a Day 2 pick, but the ceiling is definitely worthy of a 1st rounder.
The thing about Kelce and other very good Tight Ends appears to be in how they run routes and find soft spots in defenses to get open. Their Knack for the game and ability to be on the same page as their QB. How they settle right in to soft spots in the Defense.
I like Washington's physical traits but it looks like his peak season was for just 28 receptions. It seems like Dalton Kincaid is getting respect for his knack for the game as a pass catcher. Kincaid has 24, 44 and 36 reception seasons. Michael Mayer has 42, 71 and 62 reception seasons.
Receptions themselves won't indicate for certain which Tight End will have this knack for getting open while being on the same page as their QB ability.
Any thoughts on which rookie has the likelihood of having this "knack for the game" ? Which rookie would simply work best with Burrow & the other pieces ?
