Anatomy of a prospect: North Carolina TE Richard Quinn

[cowboyjoe]

Anatomy of a prospect: North Carolina TE Richard Quinn
11:00 AM Tue, Apr 21, 2009 | Permalink
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The NFL is starting to feel the influence of spread offenses in the college game. There are few prototypical pro fullbacks and tight ends on this draft board.

The fullback is becoming extinct and tight ends have become pumped-up wide receivers in the spread-the-field college game. The NFL wants fullbacks and tight ends who can block -- but that's a lost art on this draft board, especially at tight end. Most play in a two-point stance and focus on running routes, which is why two of the top five receivers in the nation last season were tight ends. James Casey of Rice caught an NCAA runnerup 111 passes and Mackey Award winner Chase Coffman caught 90 for Missouri.

Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew is the top tight end in this draft because he is the only three-down tight end. He can block on first and second down and become a pass receiver on third down. The completeness of his game will make him a first round NFL draft pick.

The NFL covets blocking tight ends to make the running game go -- and the next best blocker on this draft board is Richard Quinn of North Carolina. But he caught just eight passes last season and 12 in his career. He goes 6-3 1/2, 264 pounds and can hold up at the point of attack. That's a valuable commodity for the tight end position in the NFL -- and it will make Quinn a mid-round draft pick.

 

[big dog cowboy]

No TE's please.

 

[BAT]

Not sure why there are so many who believe that Dallas needs another blocking TE. The Cowboys already have 2 of the best blocking TEs in the league in Witten & Bennett.


If the Cowboys absolutely need a one dimensional blocker (injury or scheme necessity) then they could always line up Free or another athletic OL on the edge.


And my blocking FB of choice would be Weber State's Marcus Mailei, he actually played FB and is a frickin load as a run blocker (6-0 250), plus he has very soft hands & is a proven short yardage runner. He would also be much better value: 6th rounder to UDFA

 

[dbair1967]

If you are a team that runs alot of 2TE sets (as we do, and might run even more of this yr) then having 3 TE's you like is pretty much a necessity. I doubt they see Hannah as much more than an H-Back/glorified receiver.

With as many picks as we have, adding another TE, especially one that could possibly help in short yardage situations is fine with me. Especially with a later-middle rd pick. They are probably going to keep 4 TE's anyway.

 

[cowboyjoe]

If you are a team that runs alot of 2TE sets (as we do, and might run even more of this yr) then having 3 TE's you like is pretty much a necessity. I doubt they see Hannah as much more than an H-Back/glorified receiver.

With as many picks as we have, adding another TE, especially one that could possibly help in short yardage situations is fine with me. Especially with a later-middle rd pick. They are probably going to keep 4 TE's anyway.

i think the cowboys will be looking at a blocking fullback or a big bruising TE that is super at blocking, but only in the low rounds or a undrafted player

 

[BAT]

If you are a team that runs alot of 2TE sets (as we do, and might run even more of this yr) then having 3 TE's you like is pretty much a necessity. I doubt they see Hannah as much more than an H-Back/glorified receiver.

With as many picks as we have, adding another TE, especially one that could possibly help in short yardage situations is fine with me. Especially with a later-middle rd pick. They are probably going to keep 4 TE's anyway.

4 active TEs could mean the end of the FB position (bye Cricket) or a developmental OL (see ya McQuistan).

 

[dbair1967]

4 active TEs could mean the end of the FB position (bye Cricket) or a developmental OL (see ya McQuistan).

I didnt say we'd have 4 active TE's, only that keeping 4 TE's was a strong possiblity.

If they draft someone like Quinn or Hill, maybe keeping 3 is more of an option though.

 

[BAT]

I didnt say we'd have 4 active TE's, only that keeping 4 TE's was a strong possiblity.

If they draft someone like Quinn or Hill, maybe keeping 3 is more of an option though.

I only meant 4 TEs will eliminate a roster spot at another position. I don't think any TE drafted would replace Hannah, at least not this year.

 

[Woods]

I only meant 4 TEs will eliminate a roster spot at another position. I don't think any TE drafted would replace Hannah, at least not this year.

I think that we'll have 3 TEs and 1 H-Back (maybe Hannah).

The roster spot competition will be between Cricket at FB and the H-Back position, IMO.

 

[BAT]

I think that we'll have 3 TEs and 1 H-Back (maybe Hannah).

The roster spot competition will be between Cricket at FB and the H-Back position, IMO.

I agree. Hannah is certainly athletic enough to play out of the backfield, especially as a receiver. But at almost 6'7, Hannah cannot get low enough to generate enough pop as a lead blocker, that was the same problem Witten, Fasano & Curtis had.


IMO a one dimensional blocking TE is not more valuable than pass receiving TE, especially if an agile OL already on the roster can peform the same function (Free was originally a TE who outgrew the position). A lead blocking FB is different from a in line blocking specialist at TE. Most TEs that are big enough to be good in-line blockers are not that agile in space, a lead blocking FB's greatest asset.


That said, Bennett may be tall, but he did not look half bad blocking out of the backfield. Although he is much better blocking in-line. He is very athletic and fluid though, he may be able to make that transition the best.

 

[RS12]

This guy is supposed to be the blocking TE in the draft. If they dont get Casey, I would not be suprised to draft him.