Why a Blocking TE with Hands is such a huge need.

With the depth at RT such a huge void being over looked. A TE with blocking skills is a must to help out any poor stiff that has to replace Zach, if he goes down.

Garret Bolles OT/OG/DT Utah 6050 296 4.97 #75 Jr - would have been nice but teams have seen he is probably the best LT prospect in the draft with swing OT skills sets. All the others are pretty much RT.

He is an under-utilization recievibg TE that offers mismatch opportunities and under valued blocker,“His upside is through the roof,” another scout said, referring to Howard. “He’s a phenomenal human being and a great worker. At Alabama, you’re a blocker first and a receiver second. He’s grown as a blocker from a toughness and effort standpoint, and as a receiver he’s still a little untapped.” Howard is an explosive athlete with breakaway speed, lateral agility, and balance and is projected to be a tight end/hybrid slot receiver that is more reliable run blocker than people give him credit for. No one has changed my mind so far that is is the smartest pick for the saints. When you look at size and speed he can double as a WR. The ony knock is how little Bame used him in the passing game. All he did in the pre draft testing was step up and take on every opertuntity to show what he can do. He did not skip an optertunity dispite being the best TE in the draft and sure fored top 20 draft pick. Now I fear he will be off the board when we pick at 11.
Freak part? At the combine he ran as fast as David Johnson, beat Tyler Lockett's 3-cone, and beat Khalil Mack's shuttle


Kittle is a throwback old school blue-collar tight end. While he certainly isn’t one of the top tight ends in this year’s class, he’s one of the more well-rounded TE that really blocks well. Kittle was used more as a blocker than he was as a pass catching option. He has a workman-like attitude and always finishes plays. Very effective blocker both on line and out in space. Kittle is also an effective pass blocker as well. Kittle does a great job of selling a run block before releasing down. With his speed he can run away from linebackers in middle of field on slants and on edge. Kittle can function as a number two. What more do want out out of a No. 2 tight end in a “move” role.

Kittle possesses the quickness and speed that should make him a versatile receiving threat capable of running routes from multiple positions, where he can use his athleticism and instincts to take advantage of angles and leverage.At the very least, he’ll be a reliable underneath threat capable of gaining yards after the catch and moving the chains. What more do want(?) smart, special team abilities, reliable receiving, solid all around blocker, great motor and never takes plays off. I can not think of any except maybe serving as a lead-blocking FB backup. I think he can handle that job also. I would not rule out him becoming very good three-down tight end with his athleticism either.

He is a 3rd round reach according to media listings. I like this kid because he was a blocker in the Iowa system and under utilized as a receiver. He is baby OJ. I could live with both and not have a second thought about it. Pass on a WRs all together Two big, fast, dependable blocking TE would make drew a happy camper. Both are safe bets.

Taking a page out of the Pats playbook here

Theme on offense is keep Drew healthy.

As Drew goes so do the saints. He goes down and the season is over.

This is why the blocking skill set in a TE would weigh so heavy on my mind. Add in the Cook trade and this offense is in need. Now the receiving skill set in a TE becomes even a bigger issue. Then there is the Fleener contract grrrrr. This is why I am leaning to TE in this draft so heavy. Plus having a prospect that come along once in a while with perennial all pro written all over him does not hurt either, Settling on George Kittle is a solid option. Both I could happily accept