Oklahoma Sooners TE Jermaine Gresham Hasn't Heard from the Patriots

by Richard Hill on Mar 20, 2010 6:12 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

According to the Boston Globe's Albert Breer, predicted 1st round pick and graded best overall tight end Jermain Gresham of the Oklahoma Sooners has yet to hear from the TE deprived New England Patriots. The 6'5, 261 lbs monster of a player is an enormous receiving threat, but a threat we'd most likely have to grab in the 1st round if we wanted him. With the Patriots not having talking to Gresham, it can lead us to two conclusions:

1) The Patriots will talk to him later because we NEED a Tight End and talking to the player regarded as the best in the nation would be an obvious first step.

2) The Patriots aren't interested in investing a first round pick on a Tight End (that worked well last time, right?) and realize that a receiving Tight End isn't worth the pick. Especially when we have so many other needs. Especially when we don't really throw to our Tight Ends. Especially when our Tight Ends are primarily blockers.

Gresham seems like a good team player and I would love to have him on the Patriots- just not at the price of a first rounder.

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I'm surprised they haven't talked to him at all

because even if he doesn’t project as a Pats-style TE, I think he’d be an interesting prospect as a Dallas Clark-type flex-TE/#2 WR guy. The Pats run a lot of 4 WR or singleback 3 WR, one TE sets – having a Clark-type guy to pair in the slot with Welker/Edelman would create a lot of mismatches. If he can run up the middle and harrass Safeties with Dallas Clark flex routes, or with Antonio Gates TE-post routes, then he’d automatically open up the underneath routes for Welker/Edelman/Faulk. It’d mean the Pats would probably have to take another TE in the draft for blocking purposes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

He could fill a role at both TE and WR, so the Pats would likely get some value out of him. Not sure it’s worth a first round value, but if they would otherwise use a 2nd rounder on a TE and a 2nd rounder on a WR, it might be worth looking into.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Mar 20, 2010 6:23 PM EDT reply actions

That actually makes a lot of sense...

…but I think picking up a player like Rob Gronkowski (distant relative to Stephen Gostkowski (source?)) who is a more solid blocker, and just as much of a receiving threat, would make more sense late in the 2nd round.

I never thought of the double value perspective, but it makes sense as to why we’d utilize an early pick on a tight end.

by Richard Hill on Mar 20, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, I'm sure they're interviewing that tier of second-rounders very hard

Gronkowski, Hernandez, Graham all project as 2-3 guys. Pitta’s even seen as low down as 3-4.

Dorin Dickerson is intriguing. He’s got Ben Watson-like speed – both clocked at 4.40 40 time, but he’s a little Garrett Mills-like otherwise. He’s an underrated blocker, and while he’s only 6’1 and 226 lbs, he played TE, WR, FB and LB at College. He was also the dedicated goal-line back in College with 6 rushing TDs in 20 attempts.

He’s also projected as a 3-4 range… if he drops the the fourth, who wants a Garrett Mills-like FB/TE/WR/LB? That’s the kind of versatility Hoodie loves, and with a 4.40 40, he’s quick enough to be a core special teamer in all the units even if he’s not a starting TE/FB.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Mar 20, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, Dickerson's Pittsburgh teammate, Nate Byham

6’4", 264lb, a solid blocking TE but who has all-round abilities catching the football. Ran a 4.83 40 at the Pro Day, slower at the Combine. Projects as a 5th-6th rounder, which is probably why Hoodie might be interested in him.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Mar 20, 2010 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions