When to draft a tight end?
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
When to draft a tight end?
Daily News staff
Even presumptive starter Brent Celek assumes the Eagles will take at least one tight end among the 12 selections they hold in the April 25-26 draft.
“I think they have to — you only have [journeyman veteran Matt] Schobel and me,” Celek said. “With this offense, you need three tight ends. Who knows where that will be? That’s their decision.”
If the Eagles really believe in Celek as a starter, they won’t reach for a tight end with one of their two first-round picks. Many observers think Oklahoma State’s Brandon Pettigrew is the only first-round-worthy tight end talent in this draft.
There are several decent tight ends who could complement/understudy Celek, likely to be available later in the draft. Most of them aren’t strong blockers, however. The proliferation of spread offenses in college seems to have turned the position into a haven for oversized wideouts.
Where the Eagles select a tight end will depend on when a player they covet is available, but also where they rank tight end among their list of needs. Our Paul Domowitch is virtually certain the Eagles will take a running back in the first round. Les Bowen suggests it will be an offensive lineman.
According to nfldraftcountdown.com, these are the top five tight ends available ...
1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
2. Jared Cook, South Carolina (the Eagles were reportedly among the teams that worked him out after his Pro Day last week).
3. James Casey, Rice
4. Chase Coffman, Missouri
5. Shawn Nelson, Southern Miss.
The site has its top four tight ends ranked in the top 64 players (first two rounds). Pettigrew is 30th, Cook 47th, Cofmann 50th and Casey 52nd.
For more on Celek, click here.
Here's hoping that Pettigrew drifts a little bit.— Chuckle Berry- if pettigrew is there at 30, we need to trade our 2nd and 3rd to move up in the late first or early 2nd to grab him. He is a must who will wreck dallas, skins, and NY giants ends.— gulls3012
- No need to draft any other TE if they can't block. Stop wishing upon a star with Pettigrew. The Eagles will blow it in the end.
- honestly, I don't think waste anything higher than a 4th rounder on a tight end. QB's RB's WR's, D ends and the occasional CB and offensive lineman are your first thru third round picks. Tight ends are really a dying breed. guys who in the past would have been TE's are now just big WR's. most teams now are just using an extra tackle and having him declare as eligible for their double and triple TE sets. And you will probably see more of that as the NFL shifts back to a power running game.— fab5phily
- I like that Pettigrew can block as well as catch, but I think the Eagles like Celek and won't take a TE in the first round. I like Cook for them.— 76er
- If 'fab5phily' is right, Andy will move poor 'ol Klecko out to tight end as a blocker this year. Poor guy just can't find a spot.....even though he's good enough to be in the DT rotation!.— TBear
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- Philly 10, Read up on the negatives about Coffman. Great hands, not a good blocker, lacks bulk and functional strength, does not play physical, lacks great speed to get downfield, does not show much burst and acceleration in his routes, not elusive after the catch and will not make defenders miss and not a vocal leader. Let's see, sounds like Celek so why waste a draft choice on him?— The Marco Islander
- Herremans started at LT as a rookie after Thomas got hurt; I remember him playing pretty well until he too was injured.— Warhound
- I agree with PhillyTrue. This team has a tackle crisis. Even if Andrews moves to LT, we're still thin. Honestly, we haven't seen anything out of McGlyn, Dunlap, or Justice to make me think they could come in and play. Not saying they couldn't, just that I haven't seen it.— dragoon6
- Philly 10 i'm so proud that you have resisted the urge to write in your boy Percy Harvin into this thread!!! All seriousness I would rather have Cook than Pettrigrew...— Ruiz the Great
- dont be surprised if celek becomes a complete TE this year. Don't think you need to draft one until the 4th or 5th round. rather see them get a playmaker of some sort, a rb, tackle, and corner/safety with the higher picks.— ag
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- Alex Mack, Center from California, could be one of their first two picks. First pick (21) could go to Bill's for Peters. #28 should be a playmaker like Harvin. You can't trust Shawn Andrews back holding up at tackle. He's hurt a lot. I don't think his hearts in it. Hope Jon Runyon returns for one more year. This is a get-by year 'til these draft choices mature.— ItalianSausage
- I'm in South Carolina and watched Jared Cook throughout his college career. This guy will fly under the radar a bit and most likely go in the second round. He will be a steal - he has the physical tools of a wide receiver. I expect he will be a top five TE in the league within 2 years.— jdogle1
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- Whoever Rutgers' TE is, grab him ASAP.— Nico Lange
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- The closer we get to draft day the more likely Reid & Co will pull off some trades. Sitting still with 2 1st round picks means two big money contracts and they have proven in the past they don't like paying out. Wouldn't you rather have 6 picks in the 2nd & 3rd rounds ? Here's a sleeper pick at TE. Brent Celek's teammate at Cincinnati Connor Barwin. Put your blindfold on & start throwing darts at the board. Nobody knows what Andy will do— MJPD345
- I don't think the Eagles should go TE in the first round at all. Being so thin on quality on the left side of the line could be disastrous if there are a few injuries. We don't even know how Shawn Andrews will be after last years surgery. Draft a quality left end first, then focus on getting some help for Westbrook.— david1
- i think we can get a te in the second rd. we do need another te i like Celek , but we need another good one. the who said te are a dying thing , watch Dallas and some of the other tight ends. I swear having to read some these posting , i am glad some of you guys don't run the team . !! some of you, seem to know nothing about football!!!!!— sch723
- i think we can get a te in the second rd. we do need another te i like Celek , but we need another good one. the who said te are a dying thing , watch Dallas and some of the other tight ends. I swear having to read some these posting , i am glad some of you guys don't run the team . !! some of you, seem to know nothing about football!!!!!— sch723
