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Rams43
I'm no draft guru, heaven knows.
But I do know a bit about human nature. Is this Engram phenomenon a mob think mentality thing? I wonder.
It does seem that Engram has become the board darling. I'm just asking, are there no holes in his game? If not, why isn't he a high 1st round prospect?
I mean, does he really tower above all other players likely to be available at #37 in value?
Don't get me wrong. I like what I'm hearing about him just fine. But I suspect that there are several others that the Rams also have their eye on at that #37, too.
This might sound like heresy to some, but I even suspect that the Rams would entertain a modest trade down from #37 even if Engram were still on the board. Simply because they would prefer to have 2 premium picks in this particular draft over Engram.
There. I said it...
Because I seem to be mister negative on popular board faves this year and I don't really dislike any of them. I just don't think they are the players the people that love them think they are.
I wrote this previously about the common Engram/J. Reed comparison...
"I don't get a Jordan Reed feel from him though. Reed is one of the toughest players in the NFL, he's a dirty work master. Probably why he's so often broken. Reed only ran a 4.7 while Engram can fly. Reed is more precise and physical as a route runner/pass catcher. I think Jonnu Smith might be the closest Reed comparison."
I don't think Engram is very good at a few key points of TE play for me.
The possibly easy coachable fixes...
- Blocking, even when not inline.
- Not a precise route runner, VERY important on short/intermediate routes in the middle of the field.
Ones that I wonder if they will ever change at the NFL level....
- Struggles with passes that get on him quickly after a turn. On those short/intermediate middle of the field routes he usually has room to work, probably because college teams fear his deep speed so much. He runs to a spot, turns, sets up, and watches the pass into his hands. Those passes are thrown before he breaks in the NFL he he fought them the few times I saw him deal with it.
- Winning 50/50 passes, especially in traffic. Now maybe he gets better at it but it's not a + in college. Further, when faced with only 50/50 possibilities from Auburn receivers, the QB Kelly would usually go to a different option instead of Engram. Even a freshman like A.J. Brown. Now A.J. Brown looks like a developing beast but Engram is the current 1st/high 2nd round draft prospect.
So now I said it also
"What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing"
- Oscar Wilde
I demolish my bridges behind me - then there is no choice but forward.
- Fridtjof Nansen
