Between his history of knee issues, being too slow to stay at safety, and not big enough to be a stout ILB, I just think Ellison falls through the cracks a la Darnell Bing.No mention of Kevin Ellison? When you can pick up a guy in the 6th round who has a shot at competing for a starting job on a playoff team, I think that's worthy of a comment.
They also traded up to get him, IIRC.They have Graham at TE already. Quinn might be a nice player, but what kind of impact can he really make?Also curious, which of the three UDFA D-Line players has the best chance to stick on Denver's squad? You mentioned they were draftable (6th-7th round prospects?) and I've seen and heard a lot of good things about Pedescleaux specifically.Just to quibble... Quinn was considered the best blocking tight end in the draft I believe and reportedly showed good hands at the Combine. Denver's clearly going for a power running scheme with their RBBC, O-Line depth, and now with 2 blocking TEs in Graham & Quinn along with a receiving threat in Scheffler. Granted, blocking tight ends don't receive the glory fantasy or otherwise that receiving ones do but they are (depending on ability) essentially a 6th OL on the line, able to run block and pass block. That has to be huge for a run heavy (or even pass heavy) team.I also found this statistic on Quinn from the Broncos forum: Richard Quinn TE North Carolina delivered 78 knockdowns in 11 games and 11 touchdown-resulting blocks.
Pedescleaux is the most talented, so he's got the best shot, but all three are so well suited for a 3-4, and the roster was pretty woeful up front coming into the draft, I expect all to make the roster unless there are character issues.I have no doubt that Quinn is highly likely to work out in that role, but honestly it's like fullback or ST gunner or punter/kicker - there are hard working street free agents out there and late round picks that can do 85% as well as the guy who is best in the league at those jobs. He's just not worth a pick that can land you a solid starter at a more important position, or a developmental guy at a very tough position to solve.Also curious, which of the three UDFA D-Line players has the best chance to stick on Denver's squad? You mentioned they were draftable (6th-7th round prospects?) and I've seen and heard a lot of good things about Pedescleaux specifically.Just to quibble... Quinn was considered the best blocking tight end in the draft I believe and reportedly showed good hands at the Combine. Denver's clearly going for a power running scheme with their RBBC, O-Line depth, and now with 2 blocking TEs in Graham & Quinn along with a receiving threat in Scheffler. Granted, blocking tight ends don't receive the glory fantasy or otherwise that receiving ones do but they are (depending on ability) essentially a 6th OL on the line, able to run block and pass block. That has to be huge for a run heavy (or even pass heavy) team.I also found this statistic on Quinn from the Broncos forum: Richard Quinn TE North Carolina delivered 78 knockdowns in 11 games and 11 touchdown-resulting blocks.
To piggyback this discussion, my understanding was that Tyson was drafted to be more of a Vince Wilfork than a Richard Seymor. It seems like you may have set him up for unrealistic expectations. The question could still be asked though, would Vince Wilfork be considered worthy of the #3 pick coming out of college?The Jacket said:Additionally, it's become common revisionist history to say a guy "isn't Richard Seymour." Richard Seymour was considered a reach by people like yourself who grade a draft days after the event, and in his senior season was not at all dominant (one sack). In fact, I'd venture that if he played way out of position as a 4-3 end, he would've never been such a high pick, while Jackson, on the other hand, would probably be held in higher regard by the average fan if he had the opportunity to bang inside guards rather than out on an island with tackles who weigh no more than he does.
This article doesn't negate anything you said, but I'll throw it out there:Between his history of knee issues, being too slow to stay at safety, and not big enough to be a stout ILB, I just think Ellison falls through the cracks a la Darnell Bing.No mention of Kevin Ellison? When you can pick up a guy in the 6th round who has a shot at competing for a starting job on a playoff team, I think that's worthy of a comment.
“He was a targeted player,” Smith says. “He dropped in the draft, and we anticipated he would. Why? One, he's beat up a little bit. Two, he doesn't have a great 40 time. But we targeted him at strong safety. What he has is an impressive résumé. He's smart, instinctive, highly competitive and very physical. The guy can rattle your teeth. We like him a bunch.”
Remember, Rodney Harrison was not a burner.
Ellison may not be up on recent Chargers history, but if he can hold up here, he has a chance. He's third on the depth chart at strong behind Clinton Hart, who admits he didn't perform to his standards in 2008, and Steve Gregory, who got more playing time as last season wore on.
The position appears wide open.
...
Is Ellison a steal? Too soon to know. He has to hold up, for one thing. But his newest head coach, Norv Turner, sure likes him.
“Kevin is a very natural football player,” Turner says. “He was productive at the highest level of college football. He's had a bit of an issue from a health standpoint, but he has a chance, absolutely. He's a very good football player. He looked good today.”
Players like Kleinsauser have been 2 round picks before and can make a huge difference for a running game. Also helps for protection against blitzing teams. If Quinn can play as a H-Back there are even more things you can do with him.That is if Quinn is more part of the base offense. If he is only getting short yardage and specialty roles then yeah it wouldn't be the most cost effective use of the pick.Pedescleaux is the most talented, so he's got the best shot, but all three are so well suited for a 3-4, and the roster was pretty woeful up front coming into the draft, I expect all to make the roster unless there are character issues.I have no doubt that Quinn is highly likely to work out in that role, but honestly it's like fullback or ST gunner or punter/kicker - there are hard working street free agents out there and late round picks that can do 85% as well as the guy who is best in the league at those jobs. He's just not worth a pick that can land you a solid starter at a more important position, or a developmental guy at a very tough position to solve.Also curious, which of the three UDFA D-Line players has the best chance to stick on Denver's squad? You mentioned they were draftable (6th-7th round prospects?) and I've seen and heard a lot of good things about Pedescleaux specifically.Just to quibble... Quinn was considered the best blocking tight end in the draft I believe and reportedly showed good hands at the Combine. Denver's clearly going for a power running scheme with their RBBC, O-Line depth, and now with 2 blocking TEs in Graham & Quinn along with a receiving threat in Scheffler. Granted, blocking tight ends don't receive the glory fantasy or otherwise that receiving ones do but they are (depending on ability) essentially a 6th OL on the line, able to run block and pass block. That has to be huge for a run heavy (or even pass heavy) team.I also found this statistic on Quinn from the Broncos forum: Richard Quinn TE North Carolina delivered 78 knockdowns in 11 games and 11 touchdown-resulting blocks.
Starting today.No mention of Kevin Ellison? When you can pick up a guy in the 6th round who has a shot at competing for a starting job on a playoff team, I think that's worthy of a comment.