NFL Draft Video Time: Tight Ends

by Matty I on Apr 9, 2011 5:00 AM EDT in 2012 NFL Draft

It would be early in the draft, but the Miami Dolphins are going to draft a tight end at some point. This I believe to be true. The team has an obvious need for a pass-catching, seam tight end who can stretch the middle of the field - a la David Martin in 2008.

And it's my hope that one of these three tight ends whose highlights are below end up in Miami come draft weekend.

All three are pass-catching tight ends with athleticism and tons of upside. And all three will be available from the third round on.

As usual, the videos are below...

First up is Arkansas' D.J. Williams, who is clearly on the Dolphins radar if you believe the media reports:

Next up is Nevada's Virgil Green:

And finally, I present sleeper tight end Julius Thomas of Portland State - a guy who is climbing up draft boards:

All three of these guys will be included on my "mancrush list" that is being finalized over the next two weeks and that will feature a dozen players. That list will be published during the week leading up to the draft. So start thinking about who you all will include on your lists - as I want to see who everybody's draft "mancrushes" are.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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i'm still a Rob Housler fan

but these guys are also good

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by Kdog92 on Apr 9, 2011 7:15 AM EDT reply actions

^^^This^^^

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by Flip-her on Apr 9, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Fau TE’s can be steals. Housler comes from a program that uses TE’s the way we wish to. Combine that with his athletic ability and wow he could be a big steal as long as he can catch the ball. Williams will be a great pick tho. But I think he’s higher on teams draft boards than the mock drafts.

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by 54 on Apr 9, 2011 6:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

williams or housler

I’d be happy with either one

"Welcome to, The Doghouse"
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
Driving the "Draft Ryan Mallett " UFO.
Winner of The Davone Bess Little Guy Award, 2010

by Kdog92 on Apr 9, 2011 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Couldn't agree more

Both have excellent pass catching ability. I would lean towards Housler because he’s taller, faster and will go later in the draft. Although, you can’t discount Williams’ leadership ability and he’s a better blocker than Housler.

by Drumzan on Apr 10, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Man do want to see DJ Williams in aqua and orange.

He just looks like a premier TE, the kind of guy to keep opposing coordinators up at night (as a side note, did you see his QB escaping pressure and making a tough precise throw with a defender wrapped around his ankles at around the two minute mark:)? Just sayin’)

I’m not as hyped about Virgil Green. He looks a little slow in his highlights to me. But if he can attack the deep seam then he’s alright with me.

--the artist formerly known as Phillyfinfan--

by Brooklynfinfan on Apr 9, 2011 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

DJs a very versatile player....

….great “team” guy, just wants to do everything he can to help the team win…… Hell he’d line up at nose tackle if the coach told him to ……

by Csonka! on Apr 9, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

stock rising....

…. i think teams are realizing in their private workouts what a great dude and what great pro potential DJ has so I’m kinda thining someone may grab him in the late 2nd early 3rd……

by Csonka! on Apr 9, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Why not get the best tight end avalable.

Why not include Kyle Rudolph in the equasion. The Dolphins will probably trade down toward the end of the First. This is where Kyle`s supposed value is.

by jeremy16 on Apr 9, 2011 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

Rudolph has been injured for a while

and hasn’t been playing. No one knows if he’ll return to form. He didn’t even do the combine or pro day.

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by Farorefox on Apr 9, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I thinks he drinks too much, cause his nose is red!

Elevator smell different to midget. -Chinese Proverb
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
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by Flip-her on Apr 10, 2011 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions

He's not the kind of TE this offense needs

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by Matty I on Apr 9, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

umm,he is a carbon copy ogf Jason witten,and we all know how Fasano paired up with that guy

by dolphinfan4lyfe on Apr 9, 2011 7:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Seems kind of like exactly the kind of TE this offense needs

Lots of TD’s including one from 95 yards!
6’6 and ran in the 4.5’s before his injury.
If he’s healthy, he’s a playmaker.
Big if.

by Peter Lacock on Apr 10, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

he's not close to a 4.5 guy

He ran a 4.82 at his Pro Day and the experts believe that once he’s in shape, he’s a mid 4.7s guy. He’s not a stretch the field kind of receiver.

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by Matty I on Apr 10, 2011 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions

C`mon Matty. Put up some video of the guy.

by jeremy16 on Apr 10, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought he wasn't running yet?

I can’t find any info on the 4.82.
Link?
He was running in the 4.5’s before his injury.
He was a stretch the field guy at ND, that was his forte’. A big WR at TE.
He ain’t no great blocker.

by Peter Lacock on Apr 11, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I can only find a 4.6 time for him.

I am not so worried that he had injuries the past two years but, both injuries required surgery to fix. Aside from that, he seems to make plays when given the chance.

by rocktosr on Apr 11, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

DJ Williams ManCrush: Initiated

Virgil Green – not so much. DJ really seemed to know what he was doing on every play, he has good hands and he seems like he knows how to read defenses and sit in the soft spots of the zones. Great running after the catch ability too, he plays like a guy who’s 6’5" with his physical running. But then again, I have a gigantic mancrush on Ryan Mallett and he makes anyone he’s throwing to look good. Also, Williams looks like a tremendous blocker. He really seems to use his leverage and strength to take his man out of the equation.

Virgil Green though seems kind of slow getting in and out of his breaks and he missed a lot of blocks. Seems to me that he got manhandled by DE’s and linebackers alike, I’m not sure if that’s a strength issue or a technique issue though.

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by Dolphinole on Apr 9, 2011 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

any of the top 5 TEs would be good enough for me

even though I really like fasano. But Mastrud? Shuler? or bringing back Haynos? NO WAY, JOSE!

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by lifeimitatesfootball on Apr 9, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

That

Looked like it was a Ryan Mallet highlight reel. Did u see him avoid the rush, throwing while on the run, pin point accurate precision, laser arm, and running for the touchdown? This guy should be our next qb even with the 15th pick.

by PoCKeT AceS on Apr 9, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

I think Matty's trying to sneak one by

and you caught him. Mallett hit that receiver [#4] so hard at 30 yards he almost knocked him over! Who said he can’t sidestep a rushing lineman?

Elevator smell different to midget. -Chinese Proverb
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
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by Flip-her on Apr 9, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

after watching the dj williams vid

its evident that matty was trying to pull a fast one, sneaking in some mallett highlights

by Tison M on Apr 9, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha I said the same thing

I can’t help but be wowed and pay more attention to Mallett than DJ

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by Dolphinole on Apr 9, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I am officially in love with DJ Williams WOW!

I want him to be a Dolphin STAT.

by labrat3105 on Apr 9, 2011 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

If you love him so much, why don't you marry him! lol

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by Alpha6 on Apr 9, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

He was such a wimp to quit!

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Elevator smell different to midget. -Chinese Proverb
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
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by Flip-her on Apr 10, 2011 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm sayin PeeWee

Elevator smell different to midget. -Chinese Proverb
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Who owns this shithole? - Will Muny

by Flip-her on Apr 10, 2011 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions

DJ Williams would be a great pick.

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by Patssuck456 on Apr 9, 2011 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

... and tight-end

Wait, what?

by Alpha6 on Apr 9, 2011 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

DJ Williams looks good

2011 NFL Draft - Doplhins

Trade Down from #15

1st - 1a) Colin Kaepernick, 1b) Ryan Mallett (QB)
2nd - OL pick (Cannon, Moffitt, Ijalana, etc)
3rd - 1a) DJ Williams, 1b) Rob Housler (TE)
4th - Taiwan Jones (RB)
5th - Alex Green (RB)
6th - Mana Silva (S)
7th - BPA
UFA - Vai Taua

by zeusmith on Apr 9, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

so where is the "speedy" wr ?

For a team who lacks “deep threat” WR that is a very silly draft.

by mohammer on Apr 9, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be an epic draff if he puts Alderick Robinson (speed wr)in the 6th with mallett in the 1st.

Kacy Rodgers Our D-Line Coach. Got to give him some credit.
Rusty Smith! (Titans future qb)
Play to win

by 54 on Apr 9, 2011 8:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

DJ.... as Flip-her would say... has great hands!! lol

The rest get a ‘meh’….

by Alpha6 on Apr 9, 2011 9:12 PM EDT reply actions

Isn't it kinda weird?

What if Mallett was tossing to Housler last year? OR…where would the Razers WR’s be in this draft if not for Mallett? This is why players like Zack were picked in the 5th! Just drinkin and thinkin.

Elevator smell different to midget. -Chinese Proverb
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Who owns this shithole? - Will Muny

by Flip-her on Apr 10, 2011 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions

First...I never said that!

I said, Mallett…[you know, the guy YOU don’t like]….played like a Jedi!
BECAUSE of Mallett…The QB YOU don’t like…made DJ look like a TE from heaven. There has to be some kind of formula…. where a GREAT QB with lazer throws, hits the WR’s or TE’s on the #‘s….and makes them better.
It’s the ability of the QB that makes these “other” players great…or mediocre!

Elevator smell different to midget. -Chinese Proverb
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Who owns this shithole? - Will Muny

by Flip-her on Apr 10, 2011 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions