Position Grades: TE

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by TitanJeff, Jan 18, 2017.

?
  1. A+

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  2. A

    5 vote(s)
    12.8%
  3. A-

    8 vote(s)
    20.5%
  4. B+

    12 vote(s)
    30.8%
  5. B

    9 vote(s)
    23.1%
  6. B-

    3 vote(s)
    7.7%
  7. C+

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  8. C

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  9. C-

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. D+

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  11. D

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  12. D-

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  13. f

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
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  1. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    I thought we might look at each position, give a grade on their play in 2016, and discuss how to improve.

    Let's start with TE:

    Delanie Walker - 65 Rec, 800 Yds, 12.3 Yds/Rec, 7 TDs
    Anthony Fasano - 8 Rec, 83 Yds, 10.4 Yds/Rec, 2 TDs
    Phillip Supernaw - 4 Rec, 62 Yds, 15.5 Yds/Rec, 0 TDs
    Jace Amaro - 3 Rec, 59 Yds, 19.7 Yds/Rec, 0 TDs

    Walker had another solid season. Though his stats dipped a bit, I see that more due to better WR play and Mariota improving his deep ball. Fasano and Supernaw were used more in the run game. Amaro puzzles me as he had the one decent game before disappearing.

    Walker's contract runs until '19. Fasano is a free agent as is Supernaw. Amaro's contract goes into next season but would be an easy cut saving $1M and has no dead money.

    When the '17 season starts, Walker will be 33. He could play out his contract as he's $4.5M in '17 but jumps to $6.2M in '18 when his dead money drops to $833,000.

    Fasano will be 33 as well. Though a blocking TE might remain effective for another couple of seasons, this position group needs some young talent.

    That's why I think this position group will get a draft pick in the third round and, at least, two free agents.

    Among the free agent TEs out there:

    Martellus Bennett - no spring chicken either.
    Jack Doyle - one that got away and had a good season last year.
    Jared Cook - would he come back?

    I grab Doyle and someone like Bucky Hodges from Virginia Tech. I'd love David Njoku from Miami if he were to slide or Evan Engram from Ole Miss.

    With Mularkey lovin' him some TE, I'd be surprised if this position group isn't upgraded.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  2. The Hammer

    The Hammer Ace Degenerate

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    Given the amount of blocking they were asked to do, which took them away from a lot of receiving, I think they did good job.
     
    • Hit the Target Hit the Target x 2
    • Informative Informative x 1
  3. xpmar9x

    xpmar9x The Real Slim Shady

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    Wouldn't be surprised at all if one of those 3rds ended up a TE. Walker had another good year and crap after that.
     
  4. HurrayTitans!

    HurrayTitans! Useless trivia knowledge champion

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    I gave the B-. Walker is really the only receiving threat and wasn't really as dominant as last year, probably the injuries.
    Blocking, this team is easily an A.
    I think we need some more versatile TE not necessarily a stud WR or stud blocker. I'd be really happy with a 50 catch guy for 600 yard and another 25-30 catch guy for 300 yards if they could combine for 9-10 TD and still keep the blocking game going.

    I think Walker and Fasano both still have something left to give for another year or 2 and wouldn't mind seeing Doyle via FA. A FA would also eliminate a draft need.
    Curious why no one brings up Jake Butt from Michigan at TE. Projected 3rd round-4th round guy which would allow us to ensure the first couple picks are Defense.
     
  5. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    Walker is the only thing keeping this a B- for me, and that might be a bit generous.

    Walker isnt a spring chicken and age=injuries take their toll on everyone. He's still a great player when healthy but can't carry the passing attack alone anymore.

    Supernaw is an ok player. Sometimes hes solid as a blocker and other times he gets manhandled. Fasano used to bring more to the passing game but not really anymore. I thought the blocking was inconsistent.

    We need some talent and youth for this group if we are gonna continue to play a lot of 2-3 TE sets!

    There aren't a lot of pure TE players that can block AND be a real receiving threat. So it would not shock me to see the Titans take a TE with the 18th pick in round 1 or with a pick in round 2 should they acquire one. A combo of Walker and Howard is arguably a better matchup problem for teams than a 2nd round wr paired with Matthews at WR.

    Given our holes on D, a first round pick might be too much of a luxury pick.

    A couple of things. A few TE's aren't really TE's but big wr's...Even Ingram is one of them (and very good). I don't know how teams will project a guy like him and his combine will tell us a lot about his possibilities.

    I did think our TEs blocked better towards the end of the year. But I also wonder if we go more 1 TE sets to get Fowler on the field. He's the best blocker who's not an OL and is criminally under utilized!!!

    I do think we draft a TE...where is the question. Leggett makes sense in the 3-5th round. We may look to see which vet TE's don't find their market and grab one of them as a #2 or #3.

    For those offensive minded...adding Corey Davis or Mike Williams plus OJ Howard would really 'beef' up the offense. Add a Ryan Switzer type and we are ready to roll. Then again, we do have a D to upgrade. Free agency will tell us a lot.
     
    #5 Gut, Jan 18, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2017
  6. rekirts

    rekirts Starter

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    Aren't we grading this past years performance? Or grading for next years?
     
    • LOL LOL x 1
  7. SalmonSlayer

    SalmonSlayer Pro Bowler

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    Walker is excellent, he has been performing at probowl level ever since MM8 got here but he was good even before, difference is now we have a good QB.

    I graded the group B. Outside of walker not much production on the stat sheet but how do I really track and count their blocking? I know they blocked well so that's part of the reason I say B.
     
  8. Clark

    Clark #ShoutboxAlley4Life

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    Bennet has already agreed to an extension from the patriots.

    I graded a solid A... why? Because Walkers a stud in all facets and the offense doesn't do nearly as well without Fasano and SuperNah mauling in the blocking department. Can't discount their affect on the offense just because it doesn't show up as "stats"

    These guys were major contributors in this rejuvenated ground game.
     
    • High Five High Five x 3
  9. Mitch86

    Mitch86 Pro Bowler

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    I think they all played their roles well. I would have liked to see one besides Walker being more involved in the passing game though.

    As far as drafting a tight end...eh... I think there are enough late round or UDFA TE's to find a couple to fit our needs at the moment. I wouldn't be opposed to a TE in rounds 4-7 but I just don't really see the point unless someone really stands out at TE and is still there late.
     
  10. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    After we get a new WR and a new CB I don't care what we use the rest of the picks on.
     
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