Where Nick O'Leary is drafted is second most interesting to me behind Danny Shelton. This is the lowest ranking I've seen on O'Leary but once Nolan Nawrocki listed him 10th among tight ends in his draft guide I knew O'Leary was indeed sliding drastically. He could have a very long wait.
I don't agree with it. O'Leary flunks the measurables like speed and arm length. But he's a very clever productive player who can make himself big or small depending on the requirement of the coverage. Funny looking frame. Can look like Don Nottingham out there even though he's above 6-3. Always knows where the marker is and gets tough yards after the catch.
I've compared him to Todd Christensen. That's the closet player I've seen to Christensen in decades. Combo fullback and tight end. The term H back didn't exist in Christensen's era. Both were very well known collegiate players. Same height although O'Leary is heavier, fitting with the modern trend at every position. I'm sure Christensen timed faster although O'Leary plays faster than he times.
Christensen went the opposite route, playing fullback in college even though receiving was his forte. It was an easy projection to pass catcher in the pros even though he wore a fullback's number.
Like Christensen, I hope O'Leary is fortunate to go to a smart team with a crafty quarterback who can use his strengths. He could be very good or not much of anything depending on where he lands. He needs to be bounced around the field and create mismatches on option routes, like a slower but much more aware version of Charles Clay.
I don't agree with it. O'Leary flunks the measurables like speed and arm length. But he's a very clever productive player who can make himself big or small depending on the requirement of the coverage. Funny looking frame. Can look like Don Nottingham out there even though he's above 6-3. Always knows where the marker is and gets tough yards after the catch.
I've compared him to Todd Christensen. That's the closet player I've seen to Christensen in decades. Combo fullback and tight end. The term H back didn't exist in Christensen's era. Both were very well known collegiate players. Same height although O'Leary is heavier, fitting with the modern trend at every position. I'm sure Christensen timed faster although O'Leary plays faster than he times.
Christensen went the opposite route, playing fullback in college even though receiving was his forte. It was an easy projection to pass catcher in the pros even though he wore a fullback's number.
Like Christensen, I hope O'Leary is fortunate to go to a smart team with a crafty quarterback who can use his strengths. He could be very good or not much of anything depending on where he lands. He needs to be bounced around the field and create mismatches on option routes, like a slower but much more aware version of Charles Clay.
