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2010 Rookie Class: The Tight Ends
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Written By Joe Hebert |
Football Diehards
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Posted 29-Apr-10 @ 9:19 AM PT
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This is the fourth and final installment in a position-by-position series reviewing the top Fantasy prospects selected in this year's draft. Today: The Tight Ends.
(You can review the 2010 QB Preview here; check the 2010 RB Preview here; and access the 2010 WR Preview here.)
1) Germaine Gresham (CIN) -- The Bengals have not had a tight end with the abilities of Gresham in a long time and he is well worth his first round selection if he completely heals from his knee injury and is utilized properly. Gresham has ideal size and bulk and is a high-effort blocker and receiver. He has good quickness in getting off the ball though he takes a while to get to top speed. He is a very good route runner who understands how to find seems in zones and has worked very hard to make his hands more consistent over the years. He is very good as a jump-ball target his strength makes him a terror to tackle in the open field.
2) Rob Gronkowski (NWE) -- The Patriots realize that their offense is not as diversified as they would like, so they spent a second-round selection on a player who will help them change that. Gronkowski is a huge target at tight end whose best trait is his ability to catch the football. Whether the ball is low, high, inside or outside of his frame, odds are if he gets to the ball he will bring it in. He has very good strength and enough quickness to spread out wide on occasion. His route running is solid and he has enough speed to threaten defenses down the seam. The back injury that cost him his 2009 season is something that will constantly hang over him as a concern.
3) Ed Dickson (BAL) -- With Todd Heap in decline, the Panthers sought an infusion of youth at tight end and began that movement with the selection of Dickson in the third round. An excellent athlete, Dickson flashes the speed required to threaten the deep portion of the field if forgotten about. He will need to work on his release off the line to be where he needs to be on time. He has good hands but has not had much experience running pro-style routes coming from a spread offense. Dickson is a willing blocker but he'll need to develop his strength to be effective at this in the NFL, so look for him to be a receiving specialist early in his career.
4) Jimmy Graham (NOS) -- The Saints are not lacking for weapons. That depth gave them the opportunity to look at players with immense physical skills who need time to develop. The found a player who fits that mold perfectly in Graham at the end of the third round. After having played college basketball for three years, Graham was allowed one more collegiate season to try football. His athleticism manifested itself on the football field via outstanding speed, very good hand/eye coordination and excellent running skills. He is all about potential at this point, but it is clear that he has the raw skills to be a dominant player if he fulfills that potential.
5) Anthony McCoy (SEA) -- The Seahawks didn't necessarily need another tight end with John Carlson on the roster, but his availability in the sixth round of the draft made McCoy a good value pick. The skill that immediately jumps out about him is his blocking which is excellent and will immediately aid the team in trying to establish some sort of running game. He does offer nice hands in the passing game, but he's going to struggle getting off the line of scrimmage and getting open at the next level. He has decent quickness, but his speed falls short of making him a threat down the field. McCoy was suspended multiple times for academic reasons and then tested positive for marijuana.
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