TE - Still a big hole. Does JR fill it before the draft?

Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham (Franchise Tagged)
2. Dennis Pitta (Re-signed five-year, $32M deal with BAL)
3. Jermichael Finley
4. Brandon Pettigrew (Re-signed four-year, $16M deal with DET)
5. Owen Daniels
6. Garrett Graham (Re-signed three-year, $11.25M deal with HOU)
7. John Carlson (Signed two-year, $4.65M deal with ARZ)
8. Brandon Myers (Signed two-year, $4M deal with TB)
9. Dustin Keller
10. Scott Chandler (Re-signed two-year, $4.75M deal with BUF)
11. Andrew Quarless (Re-signed two-year, $3M deal with GB)
12. Ed Dickson
13. Fred Davis
14. Tony Scheffler
15. Anthony McCoy (Re-signed one-year, $1.35M deal with SEA)
16. Kellen Winslow
17. Jeff Cumberland (Re-signed three-year, $5.7M deal with NYJ)
18. Clay Harbor (Re-signed two-year, $3M deal with JAX)
19. Jake Ballard (Re-signed one-year, $795K deal with ARZ)
20. Ben Hartsock
21. Dallas Clark
22. Michael Hoomanawanui (Re-signed two-year, $2.4M deal with NE)
23. David Johnson (Signed two-year, $1.7M deal with SD)
24. Dante Rosario (Re-signed one-year, $855K deal with CHI)
25. Bear Pascoe
26. Alex Smith
27. Chase Coffman
28. Michael Palmer (Re-signed one-year, $730K deal with PIT)
29. Jim Dray (Signed three-year, $5.625M deal with CLE)
30. Jeron Mastrud

just so there are less Ebron threads. At this point I don't even care who it is.

Real answer, I think we wait until after the draft. TE, as much as it can be a huge luxury, has such a high bust potential that I don't see us signing a big time FA or drafting one high.

that should also say that we will draft one late or sign after draft.

I think tight end is taken care of via draft. I just hope its Niklas in round two.

Its too bad Kellen Winslow is such a head case. But I guess if he weren't, he would be with a team right now. Idiot.

The Giants carried 4 last year, which I think is unusual. But Adrien Robinson and Donnell haven't shown fans anything yet. I guess it's possible that the coaches feel ok about them.

Without a vet, TE has to be either Round 1 or 2. Can't imagine that's how they want to be constrained.

with all his talent is b/c he had trouble with our complex system frequently running the wrong routes. Eli wouldnt even look his way sometimes when he was wide open b/c of that.

It was one year too late. If we knew we were changing the system we would have probably tried alot harder to keep him.

Myers sucked.

in Round 4. Best blocker of all TE's with decent hands.

That's why I think Niklas should be the pick in round 2. Good inline blocker, 6'6" 270 redzone target. Looks to be the most ready to play right away.

can't go into the season with no reliable veteran at the position

No need to sign a TE just for sake of signing one. I figure the Giants will draft one, I just hope it's not Eric Ebron.

we won superbowls with rookies Jake Ballard (UDFA) and Kevin Boss (5th) manning the spot.

...it isn't strictly necessary to force a pick at tight end. This draft class has an abundance of big targets who do some of what Ebron would do, for a fraction of the price. Most of them are listed as WRs, and indeed they don't have much experience as in-line blockers or H-backs. But in this particular draft, it might be easier to find the next Marques Colston or Terrell Owens than the next Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski.

...that suddenly disappeared. I suspect that JR is waiting to see what gives with Finley. That doesn't preclude drafting a TE, either, just not Ebron.

two big targets. Looking at the roster a WR and TE will be needed and big targets in the first three rounds at both positions make sense.

still need help at OL,WR,LB and TE. I don't see the Giants signing a TE before the draft. I believe they will draft TE somewhere in first three rounds or wait until after the draft to see who they can pick-up

That the Giants are still high on Robinson and Donnell...and they do have a veteran on the roster in Fells. They may be worried about the position, but they weren't worried enough to re-sign Bear Pascoe (or sign anyone else).

will NOT impact whether we draft a TE in the first round. You logic is faulty.

41 passes with the Rams in 2010. I just don't don't anything about him.

Finley knows the offense and can help the others get acquainted to it. He would be a fill the gap guy until one of the prospects steps up, hopefully soon.

the Giants two targets are Donald and Evans but want to use the need for a tight end as a smokescreen to show interest in Ebron-----I just dont see us drafting Ebron

coming to the Giants. Two huge reason why I don't see him in a Giants jersey. Coming back from neck surgery. Giants already have one player coming back from neck surgery. Do they want two, answer no. Second huge problem the guy has a reputation for dropping to many balls. Do the Giants want a player with this kind of reputation when their trying to get back to winning the East, answer no .

They obviously like Robinson and Donnell. Fells is a veteran guy and has actually started 30 games in his career with the Rams, Broncos and Pats. I think the Giants are focused on the draft right now and can always pick up another veteran TE before camp. Guys like Finley, Daniels, Keller, Winslow, Dickson, Davis, Clark and Pascoe are all out there and don't forget the June 1st cuts. The Giants will be an attractive destination for a veteran TE looking to win a job, so the team can be patient.

Obvious, huh? We already have 3 on the roster and out of the 3, only Robinson seems to be that "athletic" TE that JR seems to pick (Hi Travis Beckham II). We have been devoid of a true TE (Bennett excluded) that could be the blocking first, catching second. Ebron would NOT be that answer. Niklas/and Fiedorowicz would be.

There are other holes to fill that can be addressed in the first round (DE tweener, OT) that I would personally be happier with than Ebron as Travis Beckham III (though he may be able to block better, but not up to the standard that we truly need).

we don't see in practice re: AR and LD, and while JR likes them both, much will depend upon how they fit/can readily fit the new O at this time.
That said, yes, I believe they bring a veteran in to create a veteran presance, and pressure on those 2 to kickup there game by camp.
We will also draft a TE that will go to the head of that group, even if a 4/5th rounder.
Let the best man win.

Since I don't want any TE on that FA list and everything I am reading about the draft is that it is a weak draft for TE (which means you don't want to be forced to draft Ebron with #1 just because of lack of quality, that's no draft strategy)... What about a trade? Any possibilities there? Who is TE rich these days?

like Robinson and Donnell. In fact, I'd say if they don't sign a bigger name then it is a departure from the rest of the offseason where they have clearly worked to focus on depth.

to TB for Brandon Myers....

recently failed a physical with the Seahawks. I think the Giants are trying to move away from players with injuries.

In comment 11602896 Doomster said:

Quote:

to TB for Brandon Myers....

I heard about that guy. Wasn't he a productive TE with the Raiders? Man, he would be good for us.

draft 2 or more tight ends in this draft.

this would give allow us to target the classic old school tight end that TC probably could use, as well as a really dynamic play maker that the new OC might use well, and a depth player.

in addition, we could field a 2 tight end set.

in further addition, looking to spread around the receiving to get relief for the WR corps, and TE focused mid rounds draft might kill two birds with one stone, i.e. the blocking/pass pro as well as the 'shift up in receiving threats' card.

the Giant coaching staff barely has played either guy, disregarding any injury time.

And this was with MYERS in front of them...think about that the next time you are hoping for a nice surprise next season from one/both of these guys.

In comment 11602642 dannyamn29 said:

Quote:

I think tight end is taken care of via draft. I just hope its Niklas in round two.

Abso-freakin-lootly!! Niklas with the 43rd, then Colt Lyerla in the 6th round. Troy Niklas is a Giants TE... at 6-6 270lbs he's big, strong, great blocking technique, yet soft hands and good moves. Is he a WR in TE clothing like Ebron? Heck no... he's a TE who can take on a 9 tech DE in the NFL with some reasonable assurance he'll slow him down on his way to Eli. Ebron at 6-4 250lbs sopping wet? DEs will be talking to him all game... you're a turnstile kid. I'm gonna truck you. Niklas? Bring it on.

offensive capability) why not sign Matthew Mulligan.

Played with the Jets and Patriots at 6' 4", 267 lbs. and 29 years old. Should cost very little in dollars for a look.

most likely round 1or 2.

And no idea that a team would want anything we'd be willing to part with... but that said I took a look at the TE depth charts of all of the AFC teams and some NFC looking for young large TE's with a write up indicating that at least at some point they were seen as 2 way players with an upside. There does seem to be such talent out there. Obviously the Giants FO and scouts would have thought through all such possibilities so I'm just saying that surely there must be some.