(10-28-2019, 07:04 PM)flgatorsandjags Wrote:

(10-28-2019, 07:01 PM)The_Franchise_QB Wrote: He hasn't been a scrub, but he hasn't really but up great numbers. Is he worth a first? I suppose Howard and Oliver could make a pretty good tandem.

One of the things I like about Howard that would be good for us is he is a good run blocker.

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(10-28-2019, 06:47 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: I'm not thinking about it in terms of any player in the first round. I'm thinking in terms of TE's only, because that is a definite "must" need for this team, IMO. If we don't find a pass catching TE in the offseason, I don't know if this offense can take a big enough step forward. The next draft looks pretty bad, when it comes to the TE position. Personally, I don't see much difference between guys who might go at the end of round 1 and the guys that might go in rounds 4 or 5, so if I can land a TE via free agency or trade that can really propel us forward, I might be willing to overpay a little.

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I think he put up some pretty good NFL numbers considering he missed 2 games in 2017 and 6 games in 2018.

No but I think we need to go BPA in the early rounds like the front office has done the past 4 years or so.  W dont need to reach for a certain position.  I do think we get a veteran TE in FA to go along with Oliver and James O will be back.  I think we will be good at TE with those 3.  Getting Hooper would be huge and we wouldnt have to waste a pick and he is one of the best TEs in the league right now

I totally agree, but what if we can't get Hooper? Who do we go after? Do we add Hunter Henry or Eric Ebron or Jack Doyle? Do we wait to see if the Steelers pick up the club option on Vance McDonald? Those are basically the only good options in free agency. I'm not counting on anything from Oliver at this point, because he's been injured and in the two games he's been back, he has done nothing. I can't count on him to be good, until he shows us he is good. O'Shaughnessy looked good, but how long will he be out with the ACL? Will he miss games in 2020 or will he even be the same kind of receiver when he returns? Sometimes it takes receivers/TE's a season or two to fully recover and make the cuts on the field the same way they used to. IMO, the TE situation is dire to the point we have to address it. I'm not advocating using a first round pick on a TE, because I don't see any TE's that stand out in this draft class, but I believe we have to bring in a good veteran TE, who can be a receiving threat. No guys like Swaim. I'm talking a bonafide receiving TE with at least some blocking ability.

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