Up next in our Rookie Review series is the Tight Ends. Stay tuned for RBs and WRs. Don’t forget to check out the QBs.
There were a total of 12 TEs taken in the draft. With 9 of those in rounds 1-4. As we all know it takes a minimum of 2-3 yrs before they become fantasy relevant. Keeps these kids in the back of your mind for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Cole Kmet 2.11 The Bears LOVE TEs. With the drafting of Kmet the Bears now have 9 TEs. They brought in Jimmy Graham after releasing Trey Burton. Adam Shaheen is also there to muddy the waters. Kmet is a physical specimen and should be a threat quickly. However he has some serious issues getting off the line and pass blocking. Nagy is from KC and has been looking for “Travis Kelce” for his whole tenure. From what I’ve seen so far of his team I don’t see Kmet being able to develop into a fantasy darling unless the QB play steps up.
Devin Asiasi 3.27 The Patriots have been missing a TE for awhile and decide to take a stab at two in the draft. First up Ah-see Ah-see. He looks to be one of the more physically dominant TEs available. He can catch really well and always finds the open spot. The big knock on him seems to be he doesn’t understand his size well and needs help toning it up in the weight room. If he was the only TE drafted by the Pats I would have been more excited but it could turn into a competition.
Josiah Deguara 3.30 The Packers draft their only pass catcher right here. Coming from CIN there is hope he could be the next Kelce. A very good blocker and pass catcher he could start quickly in this weak passing offense. He will need to work on his separation from defenders and can be slow at times.
Dalton Keene 3.37 The Pats draft two TEs within 10 picks of each other, crazy! What’s ol’ Bill up to? Keene was drafted for his versatility including being able to take it out of the backfield. Described as feisty and a player who gets the sideline popping; I’m wondering if we’re trying to see a reuse of the Gronk and Hernandez days. The real crime Keene has committed is that mustache. But really he seems to have issues with taking extra steps, lowering his helmet into contact and not blocking well consistently.
Adam Trautman 3.41 The Saints have found their new TE to eventually replace Cooks and start the new regime whenever Brees moves on. They even traded up into the 3rd round again just to get him. Trautman is big and used to seeing tons of targets. He did play for Dayton so I’m concerned he’s not used to seeing high level competition. He does have issues with blocking and giving up on routes if he’s not the option.
Harrison Bryant 4.9 The Browns draft themselves a TE after spending the big bucks on Hooper. Then they go and re-sign Njoku so I’m really at a loss for what Bryant can bring other than depth and 2 TE sets. Bryant is very talented and only needs to work on his route running.
Albert Okwuegbunam 4.12 The Broncos secure themselves another TE and weapon for Drew Lock. Albert is very raw, athletic and can separate easily. But since he is raw he has many things to work on including mechanics, route running, reading schemes and oh IDK everything else it takes to be a good TE in the league. Baring some strong coaching and some injuries I just don’t see when he would get on the field to make a difference.
Colby Parkinson 4.27 I guess the Seahawks LOVE TEs too. With this selection they now have 6 TEs on the roster. Parkison is described more as a big slot WR than a TE. Has all the pass catching and route running skills you’d desire. He does have some issues with blocking as well allowing himself to get pushed around despite his size. Considering the amount of TEs and the fact the Olsen and the bunch have all been able to produce, I don’t see a world where we see him play anytime soon.
Brycen Hopkins 4.30 Once again a TE pick I don’t understand unless it’s a depth move. The Rams draft Hopkins which means he’ll be behind both Everett and Higbee. The main dig on Hopkins despite his athleticism is he drops the ball. HE would even be schemed into open passes and would drop them. He will need some work to make himself fantasy relevant.