Draftek has us taking Devin Funchess at #14

[Roman529]

The Michigan WR....but he would play TE for us. They then have us taking WR Dorial Green-Beckham with our second pick.

Damn this would give Tanny some big weapons. :)

Www.draftek.com

 

[AJ Duhe]

I like the size on both players, but if we come out of rounds 1 and 2 without a starter at DT or ILB, I'm going to be pissed. WR is a deeper position in this draft, and a quality big body can be found after finding a middle starter on defense.

 

[xXwarXx]

Hes a WR why do people think he plays TE in the NFL? He's also not a first rnd talent what so ever.

 

[Geforce]

Hes a WR why do people think he plays TE in the NFL? He's also not a first rnd talent what so ever.

He played TE his first two seasons at Michigan and if he comes to the Combine in the 235-240 range, some might view him as a move tight end.

 

[datruth55]

Yeah one guy who's a tweener with bad hands and another guy that would take a while to develop, if he develops. Don't like either pick.

 

[Fin Thirteen]

DGB in R2 - I'd do it. Hickey won't though.

Funchess in R1? Ugh.

 

[Pachyderm_Wave]

There's two different types of tight ends nowdays. Spread offenses have created an entirely different species of tight end from what people are traditionally used to. You have a "Y" TE and an "F" TE. They're two completely different things.

The "Y" tight end is a traditional TE that plays inline. The "F" tight end is essentially a flanker (F) or split end. He lines up in the slot split from the tackle just like a WR to create mismatches in the passing game. You're seeing these types of tight ends, which are basically rocked-up wide receivers, be the first to come off the board on draft day. They'll find blockers later. It's the pass catching and athletic element that is more valuable in the pass happy NFL.

 

[Fin Thirteen]

There's two different types of tight ends nowdays. Spread offenses have created an entirely different species of tight end from what people are traditionally used to. You have a "Y" TE and an "F" TE. They're two completely different things.

The "Y" tight end is a traditional TE that plays inline. The "F" tight end is essentially a flanker (F) or split end. He lines up in the slot split from the tackle just like a WR to create mismatches in the passing game. You're seeing these types of tight ends, which are basically rocked-up wide receivers, be the first to come off the board on draft day. They'll find blockers later. It's the pass catching and athletic element that is more valuable in the pass happy NFL.

True, but even the F guys (I always thought the F was for Flex!) can block to some degree and can catch a ball. They usually start getting taken in the bottom third of R1 and that's for the real class acts. If you take Jordan Reed as an F guy with similar college production in yards per and TDs to Funchess, Reed was taken in the 3rd round. Why you would take Funchess in the middle of R1, I just don't understand. I'm not even sure he has the physical nature to be a tight end. He has enough trouble securing the ball when he's not about to get blown up by a LB.

 

[finfan54]

I am of the opine that Philbin and Hickey are not looking for a big guy first and foremost.

They are looking for guys who can run a route tree, get seperation, and catch the damn ball...and have some character trait to them that doesnt set the team back.

And we all know by now Philbin aint gonna want to draft a guy in the first round who they think wont produce what a first rounder should in their first year. And we all know he aint playing rookies if there is any scintilla of evidence that they will either 1. Wear down through an NFL season. or 2. Not understand the system and have to be taught and then grow.

See Jarvis Landry. They didnt care if he ran a 4.7. They cared about how he would be in this offense and overcome his setback with the above mentioned as the end all. And we traded down and got more picks from getting him.

If we have so many holes, and not boatloads of money to throw around, what do you think we really are going to do?

I keep thinking Hickey will use the Kevin Whites of the world and use them as trade down chips to get a guy they know can produce and give us more value to tackle other areas of need.

 

[Pachyderm_Wave]

True, but even the F guys (I always thought the F was for Flex!) can block to some degree and can catch a ball. They usually start getting taken in the bottom third of R1 and that's for the real class acts. If you take Jordan Reed as an F guy with similar college production in yards per and TDs to Funchess, Reed was taken in the 3rd round. Why you would take Funchess in the middle of R1, I just don't understand. I'm not even sure he has the physical nature to be a tight end. He has enough trouble securing the ball when he's not about to get blown up by a LB.

Well if you're flexed you're really lined up as an "H', or H-back. By the way I'm not making a case for or against the pick of Funchess, that wasn't my point. But just last year the Jets took Jace Amaro in the 2nd round, he was an (F) tight end at Texas Tech. Always lined up in the slot as a WR.

I think it's a better idea philisophically to take the more traditional tight ends early if they're a threat in the passing game. You don't have to deviate from your base personnel. You can play 'em inline or split out. It less predictable what the guy is going to do if he's inline, or lined up in a traditional (Y). They don't know if he's going to block or split the C2 down the seam and gain 30 yards. That's what makes a guy like Jason Witten such a weapon for so many years.

 

[Tannenbombs]

Well if you're flexed you're really lined up as an "H', or H-back. By the way I'm not making a case for or against the pick of Funchess, that wasn't my point. But just last year the Jets took Jace Amaro in the 2nd round, he was an (F) tight end at Texas Tech. Always lined up in the slot as a WR.

I think it's a better idea philisophically to take the more traditional tight ends early if they're a threat in the passing game. You don't have to deviate from your base personnel. You can play 'em inline or split out. It less predictable what the guy is going to do if he's inline, or lined up in a traditional (Y). They don't know if he's going to block or split the C2 down the seam and gain 30 yards. That's what makes a guy like Jason Witten such a weapon for so many years.

I've struggled with evaluating him as a TE or a WR.. What do you think?

 

[slk018]

I would NOT take Funchess at 14! That's nuts...DGB I would consider at 14 ever 2nd round would be a steal if he stays our of toruble

 

[Pachyderm_Wave]

I've struggled with evaluating him as a TE or a WR.. What do you think?

If you don't see him blocking at the point of attack then you have to evaluate him as a wide receiver.

He may be referred to as a tight end in the NFL and be paid like one (it's cheaper... think Jimmy Graham) but he'll be functioning as a wide receiver.

 

[Tannenbombs]

If you don't see him blocking at the point of attack then you have to evaluate him as a wide receiver.

He may be referred to as a tight end in the NFL and be paid like one (it's cheaper... think Jimmy Graham) but he'll be functioning as a wide receiver.

Yeah exactly as an F guy like you mentioned.. Jimmy Graham, Coby Fleener, Ladarius Green type player. Not someone you're going to ask to reach and seal Terrell Suggs.

I don't think he will separate well enough on the outside and he could improve his consistency with coming down with contested throws. He definitely flashes in that area but would like to see him improve his consistency level there. I think he can separate vs linebackers and safeties but not corners. I'd be shocked if he runs sub 4.62

 

[Roman529]

I think TE is still a position of need. Clay and Sims are doing a pretty nice job, but if we could get a big target TE in the mold of Gronk orJimmy Graham, then I think Funchess would be a nice target....we could probably trade down and get Funchess later in the first round....I see Funchess projected to go around the 25th overall pick in the mocks I have seen.