Magnificient Seven?!?!?

[Redskin4Life]

I was reading an article talking about the TE class this year -- calling them the Magnificient 7. I know some of you in the hR think we need a TE (I do as well). With our 2nd pick (first one's going to be on DE), who do we take? I personally like Colorado's Joe Klopfenstein. The guy played like a WR out there during the Senior Bowl but had some great blocks for their RBs. He's 6-6, 245. If he bulked up a little, man, he would be a gem...

Here's the seven:

UCLA's Marcedes Lewis
Colorado's Joe Klopfenstein
Southern Cal's Dominique Byrd
N.C. State's T.J. Williams
Georgia's Leonard Pope
Maryland's Vernon Davis
Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano


http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/bengals/daily/0130inside.html

[smoak]

I've heard of them all EXCEPT Klopfenstein. Do any of these guys fall to round 3-4?

[Redskin4Life]

I'm hoping Klopfenstein does... but he arguably had a better game than Williams, Byrd, Lewis at the Senior Bowl.

[smoak]

I'm hoping Klopfenstein does... but he arguably had a better game than Williams, Byrd, Lewis at the Senior Bowl.

To me, I don't care as much about that one game as I do their overall college productivity and combine stats (speed size, etc).

[akhhorus]

Im really big on Klopfenstein. He could be a real steal in the 3rd round, and I would rather pass on Fasano, draft a DE and go after him in the 3rd.

[smoak]

At He's 6-6, 245, how is his power run blocking? Could he bulk up a little without losing much speed? I just think that with Cooley and a new WR, we aren't going to need a TE to do more than what Royal does.

1-2 catches for a first down per game and solid blocking is all I want.

[CNYSkinFan]

The more Ir ead about Fasano the more he looks like an h-back type te and not the bruiser I would like to see.

I am pretty high on Pope but I don't think he will be there when we draft in the second. And I would rather get a top flight DE this year instead of TE, but I would like to go after someone in the third.

[vbskins]

i reallly like this guy. he was catching everything thrown his way at the Senior Bowl. He gets separation on LB and can RAC. He has decent enough size to block on runs against smaller DE and LB's

stats:
6'3" 260

he is also a senior so his experiance will help to contribute early.

I really have no idea where he will go, just depends on who needs a TE. It would be nice to see him make it to us in 2nd. Not unrealistic.

We need a DE from FA. I think we could get a pass rush spec. for average money. Kampman from GB

[smoak]

Joe Klopfenstein --

Strengths:
Tall with a rangy frame that he can still add weight and bulk to...Is a good athlete with solid speed...Has soft hands and will make the tough catch...Reliable pass receiver with excellent concentration...Knows how to get open and can work in traffic...Can get down the field and stretch the seam...Smart player who works hard and has good intangibles...Excellent threat in the red zone.

Weaknesses:
Is not a great blocker, especially in the running game...Needs to hit the weight room and get stronger...Can run better routes...Is not very quick or explosive and may not be quite as athletic as his computer numbers would lead you to believe.

I really would like a massive run blocker, but this sounds good.

[smoak]

I really like the sound of Charles Davis. Did anyone see him play? Can he be a guy that could contribute as a run blocker and split time with Royal? Would Davis be a 5-6 rounder?

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/te/charlesdavis.html

[dj_stouty]

I thought Byrd looked pretty damn good at the Senior Bowl. He has body style very similar to Randy McMichael.

Anyone know where Byrd is projected to be drafted?

[Redskin4Life]

I really like the sound of Charles Davis. Did anyone see him play? Can he be a guy that could contribute as a run blocker and split time with Royal? Would Davis be a 5-6 rounder?

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/te/charlesdavis.html
This guy sounds like another Royal.... I'd rather have a pass catching threat with adequate blocking skills (Coach Buges will help in the blocking department).

Pope is monstrous but is he a good pass catcher, blocker???

[ruggedfan]

I know Davis won't available when we pick but I think he would be a great fit for the offense. Royal isnt going to the pro bowl anytime soon and I can't remember the last time Kozlowski got off the bench. Davis is clearly a great TE prospect but the reason hes a good fit for us is because of his versatility.
What we need first and foremost in the offense is a pass catching threat to take pressure off Moss and I think DAvis fits the bill. He could come out of the TE position, or even line up at WR with his 4.4 speed. Also, we could keep him in motion and keep defenses guessing if hes gonna go out on a route or not. Either way he is a matchup night mare...6'3 250 4.4. I mean those numbers just don't come along everyear.
Some might argue that hes not needed because we already have cooley but i think the two would compliment eachother real well with Davis catching balls all over the field and Cooley being more or a dump off reciever and taking a larger role in the blocking scheme.

[smoak]

This guy sounds like another Royal.... I'd rather have a pass catching threat with adequate blocking skills (Coach Buges will help in the blocking department).

Pope is monstrous but is he a good pass catcher, blocker???

Actually, Royal was a pass catcher at LSU if I remember correctly. We need IMO a huge run blocker to compliment a pass catching TE.

Just my thought though. I certainly would LOVE to have one of the can't miss TEs, but I'm not sure I'd want to spend a 2-3 on a TE when I think we have more important needs.

[ihatedallas]

I can see Tj Williams, Klopfestien, or Fasano droping to the third...I would like any one of these guys at that pick....

[Redskin4Life]

Actually, Royal was a pass catcher at LSU if I remember correctly. We need IMO a huge run blocker to compliment a pass catching TE.

Just my thought though. I certainly would LOVE to have one of the can't miss TEs, but I'm not sure I'd want to spend a 2-3 on a TE when I think we have more important needs.
IMO, I think we should go for depth in the draft, not need. I think the WR and DE situs will fix themselves in FA. Our own FAs and 2 new ones will make our team complete.

The DE we draft probably won't have as much impact this year and we would all like to believe. And honestly, we NEED a TE that can be a threat to catch the ball so defenses have to gameplan for not only the WRs and Cooley/Portis from the backfield but the TE from the line.

Kleinsasser was the kind of guy Coach Gibbs wanted at the TE position, not at H-Back. Klopfeinstein is that same kind of guy... a good blocker than can catch balls as well. With a little tutelage from Buges, he could be a great blocker (for evidence of that, see Dockery from last year to this).