TJ (or Noah) to Patriots?

[revkev73]

I don't think it is a toughness factor. Some people have a more natural feel for things like positioning their body, reading a defender's body movements, deceiving with their movements, etc.. It is hard to quantify these things because they largely take place within the mind, but they matter enormously. In college, Hock had a better feel for creating space on a route and for making yards after the catch. Fant has more ability to run by someone. Both are important skills, but I think Hock's will result in a bigger, immediate impact.

I thought it was interesting that Fant was essentially the same size as Hock (2 lbs lighter), with longer arms (33.5 vs. 32.25), and greater bench press strength (20 reps vs. 17 reps). Yet I don't think there is any question as to who was the more effective/consistent blocker. The game of football goes well beyond measurables.

In one of the other draft threads, an analysis of Fant was posted, and it noted that blocking should actually be one of his strengths at the NFL level. He is big enough, he is willing, and he shows good technique at times. But just like with getting open and catching, his consistency can be improved. I feel he tends to overreach and get off balance at times, resulting in some pretty bad whiffs. But when he gets in position and gets engaged, there is no reason he cannot be a weapon blocking as well.

Makes sense, hope he does well. Would like to see him as a WR option! Yikes.

Long arms are a big benefit, other than pushups and reps for 'strength" measurements. Then the "long stroke" is tougher to accomplish reps.

 

[skinnykilmer17]

I wonder if Fant has the "toughness" to be a high pick and a top level TE in the NFL. Brutal game. Perhaps he excels at workouts, where no one is trying to kill you.

He will be a first rounder. Not sure how we define high pick. He wouldn't be the first to make millions based on athleticism and combine results, but he can actually back it up with numbers on the field of play. Top level? We shall see of course.

 

[trj]

Any smart team would do whatever they had to to take both.

I hate the Patriots like I hate the Yankees, but putting Gronkowski and Hernandez both on the field shattered the AFC at the time.

Can you imagine how dangerous the Niners would be with a healthy Garoppolo, Kittle, and Hockenson? How do you even defend that?

And they add Antonio Brown on the outside.......

 

[ArvadaHawk]

Hock will be a bit easier for a linebacker to cover. Fant has better than LB speed so there will be coverage issues for teams trying to keep a LB on him.

true. but TJ will be a better play pass TE. and don't forget that it might take TJ a while, but he has good top end speed for a TE. TJ is the better blocker but Fant isn't a bad blocker. Fant has speed to get past lb'ers and S's, but TJ can get by lb'ers, maybe not NFL S's. so, prostyle team takes TJ. more wide open offensive team takes Fant.

 

[iloveyoularrystation]

I have delusions of grandjur of the 9ers getting either of them too but I don't see how. Their probably going to take Bosa if he falls in their laps. Unless AZ passes on Murray. Then the 9ers are in the drivers seat for maybe trading out of it. Oakland seems to want him bad so it'd be interesting to know how a trade would play out between them. But with the Niners next pick being in 2nd round they'd have to trade back up to get either of them or DK Metcalf. Which is more of a need then TE is for them. It'll be an interesting draft to see how the dominos fall.

i'd love to see the niners trade back, but hard to do from the number 2. this draft is so loaded in edge rushers, i'd love to see them trade back and get a difference making linebacker. but they will probably take bosa, assuming he falls to them. Unless shanahan sees dk Metcalf as the next julio. We will see if they make a trade for a studd wr first, which they are trying, in which case no Metcalf. Kittle and hockenson, or kittle and fant, in the same lineup, would be ridiculous.

 

[iloveyoularrystation]

And they add Antonio Brown on the outside.......

he's headed to raiders

 

[iloveyoularrystation]

He will be a first rounder. Not sure how we define high pick. He wouldn't be the first to make millions based on athleticism and combine results, but he can actually back it up with numbers on the field of play. Top level? We shall see of course.

When he runs a 4.48 at his pro day in iowa city, he'll be a 1st rounder. There will be no question.