Post by cardinalsins on Apr 19, 2022 11:57:00 GMT -7
I really don't want to invest to heavily in the TE position this year. Next year's class is better, and deeper, and if we can't get Laporta (Iowa) next year, I go All-in on Bowers (GA) the following year. Assuming we don't need another QB. Bowers, if he can recover from his torn Labrum, could be better than Kittle. He already grades that high as a Freshmen.
www.saturdaydownsouth.com/georgia-football/why-i-hope-brock-bowers-avoid-what-happened-derek-stingley-2022/
www.nfldraftbuzz.com/positions/TE/1/2023
They've got Laporta listed 4th but most mocks I've seen have him 1st. When you look at this last vs. this years, keep in mind most of those guys are going to see a 5-6 pt boost as they get stronger/faster next year. And by my count, you've 6 potential TE that will grade solid if you end at Latu. Personally, I think LaPorta is the best all around TE. His put up better stats last year than almost all of this year's TE's but McBride. He's also stronger and faster than most of this year's class. He's probably just a notch below TJ Hockensen.
Iowa consistently puts out great TE's. Think about the last 3 they put out. George Kittle, Hockensen, and Noah Fant. The guy grading the highlight video must not be aware of how fast TE's normally run, because Laporta already runs a 4.70 and will likely get down to high 4.6 next year. That's faster than Hockensen ran. And while he doesn't block as well as Hockensen did, most Iowa players develop into better blockers as they get older. I know because they are one of the top 3 teams I follow. And other than cherry picking some games against Michigan, for his blocking examples, Iowa had a solid run game, so his blocking isn't as bad as the author stated.
I'm not sold on any of this year's TE's except McBride.
Great post. Might see more of a decline from Ertz by then.
Looking forward to the day that we have enough depth to address issues ahead of time.