Would it really surprise you?
Sure, we've heard that the Giants love Howard (who doesn't?) and they're also enamored with Njoku, and in addition to meeting those two, they've also met with Butt and Hodges. How they feel about Engram or Leggett or anyone else is anybody's guess, but it would be foolish of Reese & Co. to dismiss any TE prospect prematurely. It's a talented TE class, the deepest in recent memory, and it's not like the Giants are stacked at the position.
However, the Giants just gave Rhett Ellison a nice contract, and even though his forte' is blocking, not receiving, I'm sure they expect him to make the most of the receiving opportunities that come his way, in addition to helping pave the way for our RBs and protecting Eli. It's not like they signed him to sit on the bench. If he's healthy, he's probably going to see a lot of playing time.
The Giants may also feel that with further development, Jerell Adams has what it takes to become a bona fide two-way TE. That's not going to happen if he's sitting on the bench, either.
The Giants seem to like Will Tye a lot more than I do, but I think that by signing Ellison they recognize his limitations, and his role could conceivably be reduced this year.
As for Matt LaCosse, who knows? He'll get another shot to prove himself this summer, but after two years of frustration he's a longshot to make the team, especially if the Giants do draft a TE - even a late-rounder or a UDFA - or even if they draft (or sign) a legitimate FB. Still, there must be a reason they've kept him around, so again, who knows?
Anyway...conventional wisdom says the Giants don't prioritize the position, at least where the draft is concerned. That's as may be (as the Brits say). It could be true, or it just might be that they haven't had many opportunities to draft a top-tier TE prospect in the Reese era. We'll see what happens next month, but honestly, would it surprise you if the Giants did not draft a TE? It wouldn't surprise me.
Agreed I think the Giants really like Jerrell Adams. I would prefer if they went for a guy like Shaheen in the 3rd round who could develop early in the year and be ready to make an impact during the stretch run like Kevin Boss did.
They probably will pick one at some point, but they aren't going to force the pick.
I'd go as far to wager the Giants don't view TE as the biggest need right now. I'd expect TE is further down the list than RB, CB depth, OL, and another pass rushing threat.
The Giants did not solve their problems at TE will Ellis - they solved an immediate need for adding a tough blocking player at the end and in the backfield who can also be an outlet. They still need a TE who can chip block on the edge and hurt the defense downfield on a seam route.
The Giants did not solve their problems at TE will Ellis - they solved an immediate need for adding a tough blocking player at the end and in the backfield who can also be an outlet. They still need a TE who can chip block on the edge and hurt the defense downfield on a seam route.
Suppose they feel that they have that guy already in Jerell Adams?
The Giants did not solve their problems at TE will Ellis - they solved an immediate need for adding a tough blocking player at the end and in the backfield who can also be an outlet. They still need a TE who can chip block on the edge and hurt the defense downfield on a seam route.
Agreed. Ellison is a blocking TE, and outlet receiver. In that sense, he's a more complete version of TE, who is really just the latter.
People also forget that the Giants would have drafted Hunter Henry last year.
What I wouldn't be surprised with, is if the Giants wait until day three to draft a TE. The field is so deep at that position, that a good seam stretcher, even if he can't really block, could still be available in rounds four or five.
Suppose they feel that they have that guy already in Jerell Adams?
If the guy is BPA on your board...you do it. Don't assume you have the position filled. It's not that long ago we all thought the Giants would be set for years at WR with Nicks and Cruz. How things can change in a hurry.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants DON'T draft a TE.
The Giants did not solve their problems at TE will Ellis - they solved an immediate need for adding a tough blocking player at the end and in the backfield who can also be an outlet. They still need a TE who can chip block on the edge and hurt the defense downfield on a seam route.
That would be nice, but given the Giants MO, I don't think they view that as a desperate need like BBI does.
If the value is there, sure, but I just don't buy the notion that they have a huge hard-on for Howard.
Although I believe we take one in this draft, I do not believe it is a have to situation.
People also forget that the Giants would have drafted Hunter Henry last year.
You're right, I forgot about that press conference last year where Reese listed all the players they "would have" drafted.
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Suppose they feel that they have that guy already in Jerell Adams?
If the guy is BPA on your board...you do it. Don't assume you have the position filled. It's not that long ago we all thought the Giants would be set for years at WR with Nicks and Cruz. How things can change in a hurry.
Sure, but you can say that about any position, even more so with the positions that the Giants usually prioritize come draft time: DE, CB, WR, and most recently OL.
The solution is not always somewhere else. Just because a 6th round pick didn't start his first year doesn't mean he isn't turning into a player. The guy should be given. BBI has a bad habit of loving the pick at the time, but then after one year of coming on as a sub we dismiss him and want to redraft the position.
Also keep in mind that Ellison was signed to be more than a TE. I can see us keeping up to 4 on the active roster with Ellison serving dual roles as TE and Hback/FB.
Ellison is a nice veteran, who can block very well. But let's be honest, he is very limited as a receiver. He's not a Martellus Bennett coming in, but more like a younger Anthony Fasano.
Remember they did like Hunter Henry last year but SD snatched him up before the Giants could pick in the 2nd rd.
Assuming they draft one, the depth chart will be:
Starter TE/Hback Rhett Ellison
Two TE/HB sets w/ rookie or:
Battle between Adams, Lacosse and Tye. May keep 2 of 3 because Ellison can shift to FB in a pinch and Lacosse and Adams have the potential to develop into good blockers.
What DE?
With Vernon, JPP and Okwara plus Wynn and Odigi, I don't see that being a huge priority. Of course, unless one is there they truly love. I see DT, CB, TE and OL as the biggest priorities.
Even when the Giants had Bennett, he had 89 targets in 16 games. TE's do not catch loads of passes in an offense where you have 3 capable WR's
People think getting a TE who can run means that somehow all the TE is going to run are deep seam patters.
The question is whether the play calling will change enough for the TE to stop running 3 yard curl patterns as their primary route.
The Giants TE's are open currently, but the routes generally do not threaten the LB.
To me, I think they get a TE on day 3. In this offense, why use the 23rd pick on a TE when you find similar 2-3 rounds later
If there's a talent in play who can do those things, they'll get done. Giants have had Donnell and Tye as starters in McAdoo's offense. Only them and they, quite frankly, are not TE's who can scare defenses.
If the plan is to keep running large % chunks of 'pass as short runs' with straight drop backs or shotgun, (as opposed to investing in some outside zone running and play action as in Falcons ball), then they may yet have more work to do investing in the G-C-G combo, i.e. drafting them high.
To the TE discussion:
However, IF they, on the other hand, plan to run almost a predominance of outside zone type runs, (ones that develop quickly enough to relieve the current G-C-G combo of having to hold up well inside) then you are looking at potentially very different OT types and
(to the point of the thread) different TE types as well.
SO, if you plan to be running more outside zone, having at least TWO big type TE's that can block in line and also block on the move (sometimes in two TE sets), then Torrags' point may be well taken:
''BTW Shaheen is growing on me
Torrag : 9:34 am : link : reply
He's rising fast by all accounts. Mammoth physical freaks with natural receiving ability and mobility don't come around often. Certainly it will be an adjustment to the NFL competition level but he's ticked off all the boxes he can and done everything possible to maximize his draft value. I believe he's now a bona fide 2nd Rounder.''
(That said, regarding round 2 which torrag pointed to: DTs such as McDowell (rd 1? or does h drop?) or Adams (rd 2?) may indicate that they a) want to re-inforce a strength of the team towards dominance or b) feel that they have other improvements to the run blocking part of the O system interplay in the works. But what, we don't know.)
So, maybe if its Bolles in 1 and Shaheen as early as 2, think ''falcons ball outside zone runs and pay action''.
If its Lamp in 1 and Montravious Adams or another big DT in 2 think maybe, ''same game as last year, but with better parts stronger pocket play on both side''.
That said, could Pugh be a better outside zone blocking left tackle than Flowers? very possibly, and the FA TE may fit that bill as well, so, even in scenario #2, possibly you do still see additional types of run plays as opposed to last years selections.
and special teamer and reserve bench TE.
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is on Kittle from Iowa in the later rounds, and we take the best DE on the board in the 1st. Just my opinion.
What DE?
With Vernon, JPP and Okwara plus Wynn and Odigi, I don't see that being a huge priority. Of course, unless one is there they truly love. I see DT, CB, TE and OL as the biggest priorities.
Odi, Wynn, and Okwara combined for 1.5 sacks last year.
Meanwhile Vernon played 95% of defensive snaps which isn't a positive statistic. The could absolutely use a pass rusherin in a good draft for defensive linemen.
If they're able to draft players to improve the running game (addition of Ellison is a good start), then it's quite possible that they may view Adams as good enough. He's not particularly athletic (has trouble adjusting to ball & good routes) but he certainly has the straight line speed to attack the seam & split cover 2. If the ball is on target, he'll catch it.
If the Giants think that Adams, Tye and Lacosse is the answer, then they are still walking around in circles....
You've seen the best of Tye, and it is not enough....Lacosse is a Reese's Reach....we just love TE's that aren't drafted....Adams just did not have enough opportunities last season, to really judge him, one way or the other.....
I expect a TE to be drafted....however, some guys may fall we don't expect, and anything can happen....
If the Giants think that Adams, Tye and Lacosse is the answer, then they are still walking around in circles...
Why? Adams showed more as a rookie than Robinson did in three years. And as Sy'56 noted in his assessment, " Adams is a high effort player that can get up the seam in a blink and easily catches the ball with his hands. He doesn’t make a big impact as a blocker but he gets after his man hard. He bends well and he knows how to use his long arms. Adams has the upside to be an all around tight end if he can continue to add weight and refine his route running. There is an upside here that very few tight ends possess."
No one was saying anything like that about Adrien Robinson.
Tye can be a serviceable #2 or #3, but only you, Doomster, would call a UDFA like LaCosse a "reach." As for loving those undrafted TEs, I would remind you that Jake Ballard has a ring.
I've been all-in on Tyler Eifert, Jace Amaro, even Jeff Heuermann, Crockett Gillmore and Jesse James, and this year I'm all-in on Evan Engram. I want the Giants to draft a TE, but as I said in my OP, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.
the Giants need a playmaker at the TE position, other teams are finding them and we need one too...
Our TE situation of late has mirrored the shitty O-line
that we have had . Deep TE class if for whatever crazy reason
Howard slides I would mind if they moved up a few slots .
A great TE will pay dividends now and post Eli .