Tight End class in draft

[Memphis Ram]

Guys... I have to wonder what we're talking about here if people think Mason Taylor has more upside than Harold Fannin?? All Fannin did last year was make big play after big play after big play. One game of his had more highlights than Taylor's entire season.

Last season Fannin broke 34 tackles which led all TEs. By a lot. 1555 yards which led all of college football. Against real opponents too. 137 yards against Texas A&M. 145 yards against Penn State. Explosive after the catch, down the field, intermediate routes, you name it. Underrated as a blocker too if he gets his technique down. Strong as an ox. Hands like glue.

Want to know how many tackles Mason Taylor broke? 5. 14 missed tackles his entire career. 9.9 yards per reception last season. Game high of 77 yards against UCLA.

Sure Mason Taylor is a solid in-line tight end but even if he reaches his full potential we're looking at maybe being as good as Higbee. And that's good but not worth a first round pick. Maybe worth a late second round pick.

Fannin could be a game changer in the right offense. Taylor could be a decent role player.

I'd love to see the counter-argument. A .06 40 time difference at the underwear olympics and a 9 pound weight difference is not a good argument to me. Teams used that same backwards logic to pass up on Kupp in 2017.

At the same time each player was used differently. Unlike Taylor, Fannin was a primary weapon and used all over the formation. If Taylor were at Bowling Green and featured and Fannin were at LSU and not featured isn't it possible some opinions could change?

And despite what they did in college, the key is their projection into the NFL.

I'd guess there a quite of few examples of kids with far better college stats being outplayed by kids with lesser college stat lines after entering the league. In fact, I'm sure a bunch of players beat Nacua's college stats.

 

[So Ram]

Who has said take Fannin at 26 why are you making shit up like this all the time?

I’m not saying that at all,that’s why I’d trade back.There are enough TE’s in this draft not to draft a TE at 26. Maybe 45 & 70 which would be close to the value at 26.

I’m saying Mason Taylor I don’t want at 26,but still think he could end up being the best TE when careers are over in 15 years from now.

 

[WestCoastRam]

At the same time each player was used differently. Unlike Taylor, Fannin was a primary weapon and used all over the formation. If Taylor were at Bowling Green and featured and Fannin were at LSU and not featured isn't it possible some opinions could change?

And despite what they did in college, the key is their projection into the NFL.

I'd guess there a quite of few examples of kids with far better college stats being outplayed by kids with lesser college stat lines after entering the league. In fact, I'm sure a bunch of players beat Nacua's college stats.

I think Mason showing extremely well at Senior Bowl and Fannin just okay probably informs some peoples opinions.

 

[Londoner]

I think Mason showing extremely well at Senior Bowl and Fannin just okay probably informs some peoples opinions.

You really have to wonder why people judge a player on just one game and/or the Combine when there is tape of so many full games available to see what the player is actually like.

 

[Memphis Ram]

You really have to wonder why people judge a player on just one game and/or the Combine when there is tape of so many full games available to see what the player is actually like.

I can see the potential benefit of seeing players in the similar circumstances in real time vs. better competition. Doesn't guarantee anything, but I can see the potential benefit.

 

[WestCoastRam]

You really have to wonder why people judge a player on just one game and/or the Combine when there is tape of so many full games available to see what the player is actually like.

I think doing some research on what the Senior Bowl is, what goes into the week of practice and how teams view it (including the Rams and their emphasis on it) and how it provides data points seasons of football can't might be helpful here.

 

[Londoner]

including the Rams and their emphasis on it

Fact: The Rams tend to select players who have attended the Senior Bowl.

Opinion: The Rams tend to select players because they have attended the Senior Bowl.

Correlation does not imply causation.

Unless, of course, you are privy to the Rams’ decision-making process.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Fact: The Rams tend to select players who have attended the Senior Bowl.

Opinion: The Rams tend to select players because they have attended the Senior Bowl.

Correlation does not imply causation.

Unless, of course, you are privy to the Rams’ decision-making process.

The information on this is out there dude, feel free to look it up or keep your... opinion.

 

[So Ram]

I'd hate him at #26, bad value in my opinion.

Both players at 26.Just like a few of us is to Tradw back.

I’ll continue to go back to the 2017 Rams draft.Being able to let the draft come to you.Just as WE all post goes to showing how deep The TE class is.

 

[So Ram]

Fact: The Rams tend to select players who have attended the Senior Bowl.

Opinion: The Rams tend to select players because they have attended the Senior Bowl.

Correlation does not imply causation.

Unless, of course, you are privy to the Rams’ decision-making process.

Well your missing a couple of other things as well.

They time playing speeds making the 40’s less important.
Then there is LEADERSHIP!!

 

[WestCoastRam]

View: https://x.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1904965182201147769

People don't realize how less functional this team's offense was without Higbee in the lineup just because they only look at how many receiving yards he gets game in and game out.

The 1st might be too high for Taylor but I absolutely salivate at a younger version of Higbee in this offense (who at the bare minimum has lost his burst over the years).

 

[So Ram]

View: https://x.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1904965182201147769

People don't realize how less functional this team's offense was without Higbee in the lineup just because they only look at how many receiving yards he gets game in and game out.

The 1st might be too high for Taylor but I absolutely salivate at a younger version of Higbee in this offense (who at the bare minimum has lost his burst over the years).

Well - this guy sort of disappeared,but I expect him to get more involved the next couple seasons.

Los Angeles Rams 2023 NFL Draft - The Call - Clemson tight end Davis Allen gets The Call from Rams general manager Les Snead & head coach Sean McVay

 

[PhillyRam]

View: https://x.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1904965182201147769

People don't realize how less functional this team's offense was without Higbee in the lineup just because they only look at how many receiving yards he gets game in and game out.

The 1st might be too high for Taylor but I absolutely salivate at a younger version of Higbee in this offense (who at the bare minimum has lost his burst over the years).

Yeah, Higbee has become a very good TE over the last 4 yrs, unfortunately he has been more injury prone over that same time frame. Thus, it's hard to rank him among the best TEs.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

View: https://x.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1904965182201147769

People don't realize how less functional this team's offense was without Higbee in the lineup just because they only look at how many receiving yards he gets game in and game out.

The 1st might be too high for Taylor but I absolutely salivate at a younger version of Higbee in this offense (who at the bare minimum has lost his burst over the years).

And back when Higbee was drafted teams could find good tight ends in round 4. Now, thanks to the success of some of these tight ends recently they get overvalued.

If this class was not so shallow in high end talent Warren and Loveland don’t get projected as top 15 picks. In last years draft I think they end up being 20-32 picks or later.

 

[jjab360]

At the same time each player was used differently. Unlike Taylor, Fannin was a primary weapon and used all over the formation. If Taylor were at Bowling Green and featured and Fannin were at LSU and not featured isn't it possible some opinions could change?

And despite what they did in college, the key is their projection into the NFL.

I'd guess there a quite of few examples of kids with far better college stats being outplayed by kids with lesser college stat lines after entering the league. In fact, I'm sure a bunch of players beat Nacua's college stats.

At the end of the day, I don't see anything about Taylor that says special talent or game changer to me. I see solid. A guy that has impressive movement skills as a lesser Loveland, smooth as a route runner, and a solid consolation prize in the late 2nd/early 3rd. I don't really see the aggressiveness or physicality those top tight ends seem to have. And I'm not basing my opinion off of bulk stats, media scouting reports, or keeping up with the hype. I've watched every target both guys had last year. A few times actually I've been more locked into the draft this year than usual. And no, I don't think Taylor does what Fannin does if the roles are reversed.

Anyway we all know that "F them picks" Les Snead isn't looking for "solid" in the first round. And McVay wants a shot of adrenaline to keep his passion for the game going. They want a guy that's going to make plays like this:

 

[Memphis Ram]

At the end of the day, I don't see anything about Taylor that says special talent or game changer to me. I see solid. A guy that has impressive movement skills as a lesser Loveland, smooth as a route runner, and a solid consolation prize in the late 2nd/early 3rd. I don't really see the aggressiveness or physicality those top tight ends seem to have. And I'm not basing my opinion off of bulk stats, media scouting reports, or keeping up with the hype. I've watched every target both guys had last year. A few times actually I've been more locked into the draft this year than usual. And no, I don't think Taylor does what Fannin does if the roles are reversed.

Anyway we all know that "F them picks" Les Snead isn't looking for "solid" in the first round. And McVay wants a shot of adrenaline to keep his passion for the game going. They want a guy that's going to make plays like this:

Anything can happen, but I'd be surprised if Taylor was still on the board in the late 2nd/early 3rd.

And maybe Fannin Jr. could provide that shot of adrenaline for McVay. I just can't help but to believe that's he's already had a better version of this kid on the roster years ago.


View: https://youtu.be/aPxLK5sEcqQ?si=KHi6faP5UUQ276nJ

 

[WestCoastRam]

And back when Higbee was drafted teams could find good tight ends in round 4. Now, thanks to the success of some of these tight ends recently they get overvalued.

If this class was not so shallow in high end talent Warren and Loveland don’t get projected as top 15 picks. In last years draft I think they end up being 20-32 picks or later.

Let's not forget, Higbee has the character concerns (which turned out to not be a problem) that helped drop him in the draft and also I just think we got lucky and hit on him.

I agree, this years draft is pushing Warren and Loveland up but not a crazy amount.

 

[Memphis Ram]

View: https://x.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1904965182201147769

People don't realize how less functional this team's offense was without Higbee in the lineup just because they only look at how many receiving yards he gets game in and game out.

The 1st might be too high for Taylor but I absolutely salivate at a younger version of Higbee in this offense (who at the bare minimum has lost his burst over the years).

Higbee could be a stud recognized all around the league if given the opportunity. One year Kupp got hurt and they starting feeding him the ball and I won some money via fantasy football.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Let's not forget, Higbee has the character concerns (which turned out to not be a problem) that helped drop him in the draft and also I just think we got lucky and hit on him.

I agree, this years draft is pushing Warren and Loveland up but not a crazy amount.

He was my sleeper pick that year. If I'm not mistaken, he also missed games during his final season due to a knee injury.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Higbee could be a stud recognized all around the league if given the opportunity. One year Kupp got hurt and they starting feeding him the ball and I won some money via fantasy football.

Yeah, I think how our offense was set up hid his talent a little bit but people really don't recognize what he offered as a blocker both in the run and passing game.