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        the Gridiron >> between the 20's >>  2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - TE
        
(Message started by: Philly on Mar 12^th, 2004, 8:52am)

Title: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - TE
Post by Philly on Mar 12^th, 2004, 8:52am

Key players at the TE position who have declared themselves eligible for the 2004 NFL Draft will be profiled in this thread.

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Title: Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - TE
Post by Philly on Mar 12^th, 2004, 9:10am

KELLEN WINSLOW, JR.
Miami, Fla.
HT: 6' 4"
WT: 247 lbs.

STRENGTHS:
Winslow, the son of one of the best TEs in NFL history, enters the draft as the concensus #1 at the position. He has decent size, but what sets him apart is his speed (4.5 forty) and ability to make plays after the catch. He has very good hands, making nearly all of the easy catches and many of the more difficult ones too. He has worked hard to improve his blocking skills and the improvement was noticeable from his sophomore to junior seasons. Winslow is a fierce competitor and plays with intensity. He has the skills to become a TE in the same class as Tony Gonzalez or Todd Heap once in the NFL.

WEAKNESSES:
The biggest knock on Winslow right now is his attitude. He is a very emotional player and tends to let his emotions get in the way of his play. He is not the character guy teams may look for and has an ego that rivals Terrell Owens. While he has worked to become a better blocker, he still has a long ways to go before he can deal with DEs and LBs at the NFL level.

PROJECTION:
Winslow should be a top 10 pick. NFL teams have a renewed interest in the TE position and Winslow is a stud. He could end up in Washington, Cleveland, or Jacksonville in the top 10. If he slips through the top 10, look for Buffalo to snatch him up with pick #13.

Title: Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - TE
Post by Philly on Mar 17^th, 2004, 8:47am

BEN WATSON
Georgia
HT: 6' 3"
WT: 258 lbs.

STRENGTHS:
Ben Watson is one of those players who people liked, but never really talked about. That is, until he put on a show at the combine. Watson excelled in the position drills and wowed the teams by running a 4.5 forty (faster than many of the touted wideouts). He has soft hands and makes the tough catches as well as the easy ones. He is very athletic for his size and can run away from defenders after the catch. In addition to his speed, Watson is a very strong player. He did 34 reps (benching 225 lbs.) at the combine which far exceeded the numbers of many of the offensive and defensive linemen. Watson is comparable in many aspects to Kellen Winslow, Jr., who is expected to be selected in the top half of the first round. He is as athletic as Winslow, but is stronger and is more of a team player. Watson has excellent leadership skills and work ethic.

WEAKNESSES:
Despite his size and strength, Watson needs to improve his blocking skills. He certainly has the ability to do it, so a good NFL coach should be able to help him.

PROJECTION:
Watson is generally considered the third best TE in the draft behind Winslow and Troupe, although I believe Watson could be the best TE in the draft. He could go as early as the 26th or 27th pick if a team ranks him ahead of Troupe, or he could fall into the early second round where he will be a tremendous value pick.

Title: Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - TE
Post by Philly on Mar 31^st, 2004, 3:04pm

JASON PETERS
Arkansas
HT: 6' 4"
WT: 330 lbs.

STRENGTHS:
That Jason Peters has the skills to be an effective TE at his size is amazing. He looks the part of an offensive tackle, and will also get some looks at that position by scouts. Peters has very good quickness and great speed for his size (4.8 forty). He is strong (25 strength reps) and is a very effective blocker. He is able to engage and eliminate his defender. He shows good technique and balance and excellent footwork. He is an able receiver, used mostly in the short passing game. Peters is well liked by his teammates and coaches.

WEAKNESSES:
If Peters plans on playing TE in the NFL, he will need to get in better shape and lose a lot of weight. He is a gifted athlete who could improve even more with some discipline and weight loss. Should he end up playing tackle in the pros (a distinct possibility), he will need to continue to improve his pass-blocking technique.

PROJECTION:
Peters' versatility will move him up the draft boards. He is neither an outstanding TE prospect nor an outstanding OT prospect. However, his ability to play both positions effectively will make him more attractive to NFL teams. I expect that Peters will be drafted as an OT and will be used as a TE in goal-line situations where he could block or slide off the line and catch a pass. Look for Peters to go off the board in the late third to early fourth round. Teams like the Seahawks or Rams could look at him with the 84th or 91st picks, respectively, or the Chargers could make him an early day four selection.

Title: Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - TE
Post by Philly on Apr 13^th, 2004, 4:11pm

BEN TROUPE
Florida
HT: 6' 4"
WT: 262 lbs.

STRENGTHS:
Ben Troupe is widely regarded as the best senior TE prospect. He will, most likely, be the second TE selected (behind Winslow) in the 2004 draft. Troupe shows excellent athleticism from the TE position. He runs a 4.68 forty (better than most linebackers) and has outstanding size to run over linebackers and defensive backs. He catches the ball very well and can make plays after the catch. He is tough to tackle and will fight for every yard. Troupe runs good routes and has the ability to get open. He is improving in his blocking skills. Troupe is a team player and shows good leadership qualities.

WEAKNESSES:
Troupe has good strength and athleticism, yet still struggles to hold his blocks. He tries hard, but still needs to learn many of the blocking techniques and skills that were not necessary at the college level. He allows defenders to get too close to him and needs to use his hands and arms more effectively in close quarters.

PROJECTION:
Ben Troupe appears to be a lock for the first round. Denver was originally thought to be a suitor, however they have moved up (#17) and probably won't use that high a pick on Troupe. The Rams (#26) would be an ideal fit for Troupe. If he falls into the second round, he probably won't get past the Lions or the Browns.

Title: Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - TE
Post by Philly on Apr 15^th, 2004, 1:16pm

BEN UTECHT
Minnesota
HT: 6' 6"
WT: 250 lbs.

STRENGTHS:
Ben Utecht is one of the best receiving tight ends in the draft. He catches the ball confidently and is a big target at 6' 6". He seems to excel in the red zone. Utecht has decent speed (4.7 forty) and is able to get open against slower LBs and DEs and smaller DBs. He runs good routes and can settle down in open areas of a zone. Utecht is a hard-worker and a leader by example.

WEAKNESSES:
Utecht must learn to be a better blocker to be a legitimate starter in the NFL. He will have to gain some strength and muscle mass to take the beating the defensive ends and linebackers will bring in the NFL. Utecht is too much of a finesse blocker and not overly physical. Utecht has decent speed, but won't outrun many players. He plays hard, but does not have that killer instinct.

PROJECTION:
Utecht will be a great pass-catching TE in the league. He is very similar to Eagles' Chad Lewis. He should be a late day-one selection, now that TEs seem to be a more coveted NFL position. Look for him to go as early as pick #74 to the Bills (assuming they don't draft TE earlier) where he would be a great target for Drew Bledsoe.