The more I think about it, the more I like Amani Hooker out of Iowa with one of our 2nds. He can play in nearly every base and sub package, as a S, CB, or LB, and brings much needed versatility (and thus, unpredictability) to the defense. As of right now, I think he's #1 on my wish list, despite likely being a 2nd-round pick.
That being said, if we were to get him, what do we do in Round 1? Jaylon Ferguson? DeAndre Baker? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Cave Johnson:
Are you thinking an Aaron Hernandez-type to Kelce’s Gronk?
Honestly I think Kelce is more akin to Hernandez and Hock to Gronk.
Kelce is a fine blocker but it's not high on his list of attributes. He's a technician in that regard; very smart run blocker, but not someone who's going to be able to body many guys up and move them without an angle. He's essentially a giant WR with his ability to split out wide, his elite route-running and YAC ability. He can play in-line and do so effectively but he's at his most dangerous down the field and/or with a little space to work with.
Meanwhile Hock is an exceptional in-line blocker. Gronk doesn't get the credit he deserves there; dude might be the best run-blocking TE in football at this point. Hock can be that good and would also be a well-above average pass-catching TE. And I think he'll be a lot more powerful than Kelce so you can utilize more power running plays to his side; something I'd like to see us get a little better at.
So it gives you the ability to show a dozen different looks and really keep your plans disguised. I think you can/should have both guys on the field for 75% of your snaps or more given Kelce's ability to play the slot as well. If you can essentially hide whether you're in an 11 or 12 look while in the huddle (or simply go empty with Williams ability to split out), it makes it damn near impossible to try to adjust defensive personnel based on who we have on the field. You won't know what kind of formation we're going to show until we get out there and show it.
With so many defenses eschewing traditional base sets and trying to work from sub packages, the ability to simply not show your cards until you're on the LOS would really limit their flexibility there. [Reply]
Hockenson can literally line up anywhere. FB, wing, TE, WR, whatever. He won't be as good at blocking in the NFL, at least not at first, because he needs to bulk up, but he's a matchup problem. As I said with my dad last night, TJ could be to TE's what Tyreek Hill is to WR. Move him around and create mismatches.
That being said, I think he's going to go mid-first after the combine happens. [Reply]