Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame 6-6,270

[RS12]

32. Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame (6-6, 270, Jr.): The best blocking tight end in this class, Niklas is a former defensive lineman who is still developing on offense. He is a long, lumbering athlete in the Kyle Rudolph mold, but still has room to develop as a receiver with his route running and ballskills.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24418927/nfl-draft-top-50-draft-board-10

Why wouldnt it shock me if this guy was on their radar?

 

[xwalker]

Why wouldnt it shock me if this guy was on their radar?

They might as well use Jermey Parnell as the #2 TE. They had Hanna blocking the majority of the time in 2013. I didn't understand the point of using Hanna if they were not going to establish him as a threat to catch the ball.

When MartyB was here, he rarely ran anything more than a 3-yard route. Parnell could probably run a 3-yard curl route.

 

[burmafrd]

They might as well use Jermey Parnell as the #2 TE. They had Hanna blocking the majority of the time in 2013. I didn't understand the point of using Hanna if they were not going to establish him as a threat to catch the ball.

When MartyB was here, he rarely ran anything more than a 3-yard route. Parnell could probably run a 3-yard curl route.

yeah and Parnell knows how to keep his mouth shut. Win win

 

[Fredd]

loved Niklas @ ND, but PLEASE do not pick another TE....

 

[jobberone]

They might as well use Jermey Parnell as the #2 TE. They had Hanna blocking the majority of the time in 2013. I didn't understand the point of using Hanna if they were not going to establish him as a threat to catch the ball.

When MartyB was here, he rarely ran anything more than a 3-yard route. Parnell could probably run a 3-yard curl route.

Well he played in the jumbo packages and he's a former basketball player so I guess he could in some situations as well as being tackle eligible.

 

[xwalker]

Well he played in the jumbo packages and he's a former basketball player so I guess he could in some situations as well as being tackle eligible.

Parnell blows people up in the run game. It makes Free's run blocking look pathetic and is obviously much better than any TE's run blocking.

I still can't figure out why they used Hanna as a blocker as often as they did. He had good effort and knew who he was supposed to block, but it seems that when you have a TE with 4.4 speed that you would use him more in the passing game. If they could establish Hanna as a receiving threat, then defenses might start bringing in an extra DB vs LB when Hanna is in the game. If they could get Hanna run blocking against a DB, then they would have an advantage.

 

[jnday]

Parnell blows people up in the run game. It makes Free's run blocking look pathetic and is obviously much better than any TE's run blocking.

I still can't figure out why they used Hanna as a blocker as often as they did. He had good effort and knew who he was supposed to block, but it seems that when you have a TE with 4.4 speed that you would use him more in the passing game. If they could establish Hanna as a receiving threat, then defenses might start bringing in an extra DB vs LB when Hanna is in the game. If they could get Hanna run blocking against a DB, then they would have an advantage.

If it wasn't for an injury, many expected Parnell to have a good shot at beating Free out in last years training camp. I was hoping that he would. Parnell is a much more physical lineman and he showed that he could play when he filled in for Tyron when he had to. Inlike his raw potential and think that he can be Free's replacement. He just needs playing time IMO.

 

[jobberone]

Parnell blows people up in the run game. It makes Free's run blocking look pathetic and is obviously much better than any TE's run blocking.

I still can't figure out why they used Hanna as a blocker as often as they did. He had good effort and knew who he was supposed to block, but it seems that when you have a TE with 4.4 speed that you would use him more in the passing game. If they could establish Hanna as a receiving threat, then defenses might start bringing in an extra DB vs LB when Hanna is in the game. If they could get Hanna run blocking against a DB, then they would have an advantage.

I agree. Must not be doing what he's supposed to be doing or going where he's supposed to be going.

 

[casmith07]

If we drafted this guy, it would mean that Witten was on his way out.

As long as we aren't necessarily looking to replace Jason Witten, I think we're going to roll with Witten, Escobar, and Hanna.

 

[jobberone]

If we drafted this guy, it would mean that Witten was on his way out.

As long as we aren't necessarily looking to replace Jason Witten, I think we're going to roll with Witten, Escobar, and Hanna.

They had a blocking TE for awhile. I think you'll see a FB or a RB/FB hybrid but they will continue to look for a F Back.