Webster Guy Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I've been thinking we need a TE badly and thought Ebron might be a Bill on draft day, and I was looking into Chris Gragg our 7th round pick last year. The guy dominated the combine last year for his position, and is faster than any TE in the draft this year. He took first for TE's in the 40yd with a 4.5 (which is what Robert Woods ran and he's fast), and first in the vertical, broad jump and the 3 cone drill. I was reading that he dropped so far in the draft because he had several injuries in college that slowed him down, but if we don't resign Chandler this guy might be a sleeper for us next year. I know that combine numbers don't always translate to game speed, but 4.5 is remarkable for a 250 pounder, and they say he has good hands. He's got a year under his belt, and saw some playing time last year. Somebody coach this guy up on his blocking skills and teach him how to run the seams like Gronk and Vernon Davis. We have a QB who isn't super accurate, and big receiving targets with speed are a far better idea than little targets with speed. Gragg Draft Profile: Straight-line speed helps him separate from linebackers in the middle of the field, Possesses receiver-like hands, adjusting to poor throws and going up to snatch passes above his head. Strong runner after the catch, churning through and spinning off tackles to maximize the play. Gives good effort as an in-line and downfield blocker. I'm not going out to buy my Gragg jersey yet, but Stevie came from the 7th round and made a big impact, maybe this kid can do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwalter Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 lets also not forget tony moeaki. ebron at nine is just not a good idea in any way, shape, or form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not at the table Karlos Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 lets also not forget tony moeaki. ebron at nine is just not a good idea in any way, shape, or form. What if chandler doesnt come back, Moeaki is still slowed by injuries and gragg doesn't pan out and ebron is the best player on the board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwalter Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 What if chandler doesnt come back, Moeaki is still slowed by injuries and gragg doesn't pan out and ebron is the best player on the board? there are 9+ better players than him, including: robinson, clowney, watkins, matthews, mack, lewan, evans, bridgewater, barr this means that it is impossible for him to be the best player on the board at 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not at the table Karlos Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Lewan and barr are not better than him. So therefore possible. The best security blanket for a young qb especially one that likes to check down as much as trent I mean ej is a good TE Edited March 11, 2014 by kr632 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T master Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) The only knock i can see is he is only 6' 3" tall so in my eyes if he is that fast then put him out wide . We need a BIG TE like Chandler 6' 7" tall or at least 6' 4" tall so he can be a more viable threat in the red zone . We have enough 6' 2 or 3" guys we need size at WR & TE !! Unless he plays like Boldin does a 6' 3" guy that plays big as Whaley says !! Edited March 11, 2014 by T master Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I am more surprised, at least at this time, that Chandler hasn't been making any reports or getting any mentions. Oh, how a few teams would be smart to be courting him - Carolina, for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Chris Gragg might surprise everyone? Then again, he might not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALF Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) I think Chandler was still being cautious last season recovering from acl. 6' 7" is a big target when healthy. "Chandler ranked 13th among NFL tight ends in catches last season with 53, for 655 yards. That was despite the fact he missed all offseason work recovering from knee surgery." http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/bills-look-to-sign-chandler-carpenter-as-free-agent-period-set-to-begin-20140310 Edited March 11, 2014 by ALF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armchair GM Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 A guy I work with, a football guy, is from Gragg's hometown. He said he's watched Gragg through HS and in college, Basically says the dude is a stud and don't be surprised if he makes an im-pact 2-3 years down the road. He's had 2 pretty bad knee injuries because he sells out for poorly thrown balls and is balls to the wall to make plays. Admittedly, I've never seen him play aside from highlight reels, which make everyone look good. So, I'm in the same boat...hopeing for a surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I like Gragg and Moeaki, but both are big risks right now. We need something more solid at TE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Cragg couldn't bump Lee Smith, a guy who looks and plays like a fan who won a contest, out of the number 2 TE spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filthymcnasty08 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 _____________ might surprise everyone. Chris Gragg EJ Manuel Thad Lewis Doug Marrone Nate Hackett SJ13 Nigel Bradham TJ Graham Russ Barndon Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Cragg couldn't bump Lee Smith, a guy who looks and plays like a fan who won a contest, out of the number 2 TE spot. Well, to be fair... he was a late draft pick. So if anything it'll take him a year or two to bust into relevance. Not many late round picks earn a starting spot their first year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Well, to be fair... he was a late draft pick. So if anything it'll take him a year or two to bust into relevance. Not many late round picks earn a starting spot their first year. That and Gragg isn't a blocker, like Lee Smith is supposed to be, and they already had a receiving TE in Chandler. As for Ebron, his drop rate is alarming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) That and Gragg isn't a blocker, like Lee Smith is supposed to be, and they already had a receiving TE in Chandler. As for Ebron, his drop rate is alarming. Historically he isn't... but I want to say he had the best blocking ratings among our TEs during preseason. I remember reading something about it and being utterly surprised. Of course going back and trying to find that sort of stuff is difficult, but I'll see what I can do. Well, here's one reference: http://forums.twobil...reseason-stats/ Edit: I should note, I'm not arguing that Gragg is our starter going forward. He's a project. A late round pick. Not expected to make any noise right away. To me he's shown some good things, and I feel he *could* work out. But we shouldn't depend on it, and we should still address the TE position this off season. Edited March 11, 2014 by Dorkington Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealityCheck Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Star Wars, a New Hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kellyto83TD Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 lets also not forget tony moeaki. ebron at nine is just not a good idea in any way, shape, or form. Agreed, lets see what we have on the roster can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Well, to be fair... he was a late draft pick. So if anything it'll take him a year or two to bust into relevance. Not many late round picks earn a starting spot their first year. He's competing agaisnt Lee Smith....Mr. Irrelevance. Why would it matter his draft position? Coaches see him all year--he's either better than Smith or he's not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 _____________ might surprise everyone. Chris Gragg EJ Manuel Thad Lewis Doug Marrone Nate Hackett SJ13 Nigel Bradham TJ Graham Russ Barndon Ralph Haha. I love how Russ is on that list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyToTasker Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 He's competing agaisnt Lee Smith....Mr. Irrelevance. Why would it matter his draft position? Coaches see him all year--he's either better than Smith or he's not. I agree, draft position does not matter. But L. Smith better filled the necessary blocking role. If the O-Line didn't require as much help, maybe Gragg does see the field more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I agree, draft position does not matter. But L. Smith better filled the necessary blocking role. If the O-Line didn't require as much help, maybe Gragg does see the field more. It wasn't necessarily the O-line that needed the help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALF Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I would like to see a double TE , one a blocker (like another OG) the other a tall receiver like Chandler. Until we get a solid OL, EJ needs more time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Eh, very risky to count on a 7th round pick for anything. If Evans isn't there, the pick should be Ebron. He would be a difference maker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 It wasn't necessarily the O-line that needed the help... You're joking, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumbalaya Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Gragg might surprise everyone? The Bills might surprise everyone and win 7 games, but not likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Chris Gragg might surprise everyone? Then again, he might not. I saw him drop a pass last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 He's competing agaisnt Lee Smith....Mr. Irrelevance. Why would it matter his draft position? Coaches see him all year--he's either better than Smith or he's not. Whatever happened to giving rookies time to develop? SJ13 only had 12 receptions total in his first two years. Does that mean he is a worse player than Roscoe Parrish and Josh Reed? Or does it just mean that a rookie who is likely a project, and hence taken late in the draft, needs time to develop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigK14094 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) I saw Gragg last year, could not catch at all. Reports of good hands are inaccurate. He caught a few at clean up time, but he caught none thrown his way when the DB's were actively covering him. I think we need Chandler and one new one. Edited March 11, 2014 by bigK14094 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 A guy I work with, a football guy, is from Gragg's hometown. He said he's watched Gragg through HS and in college, Basically says the dude is a stud and don't be surprised if he makes an im-pact 2-3 years down the road. He's had 2 pretty bad knee injuries because he sells out for poorly thrown balls and is balls to the wall to make plays. Admittedly, I've never seen him play aside from highlight reels, which make everyone look good. So, I'm in the same boat...hopeing for a surprise. No offense but he sounds like a homer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Whatever happened to giving rookies time to develop? SJ13 only had 12 receptions total in his first two years. Does that mean he is a worse player than Roscoe Parrish and Josh Reed? Or does it just mean that a rookie who is likely a project, and hence taken late in the draft, needs time to develop? Haha. If you don't produce in your first year, you're a bust!!! I don't care if you're drafted in the 7th round. Bust. I got dibs on our first round pick. i'm the first to call him (or her) a BUST!!! No offense but he sounds like a homer He played for one of the best college teams in the country and got drafted in the NFL. I'm sure he was a stud in high school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Bills Fan Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 While I have hopes for Gragg myself, there must have been a reason why he wasnt drafted until the 7th round. CBF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1billsfan Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) there are 9+ better players than him, including: robinson, clowney, watkins, matthews, mack, lewan, evans, bridgewater, barr this means that it is impossible for him to be the best player on the board at 9 It's questionable that Lewan, Evans and Barr are better prospects than Ebron. I think Ebron is going to be a great pro and I would not pass over him over any of those players. The rankings start getting muddled after the first 6 or 7 players that everyone pretty much agrees upon. Also, I think that Evans has a higher bust potential than does Ebron. In the history of the NFL, there have been very few elite WRs with his big body type. Another thing about Evans that I'm nervous about is that he seems like a player which NFL CBs could get under his skin. Edited March 11, 2014 by 1billsfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) I've been thinking we need a TE badly and thought Ebron might be a Bill on draft day, and I was looking into Chris Gragg our 7th round pick last year. The guy dominated the combine last year for his position, and is faster than any TE in the draft this year. He took first for TE's in the 40yd with a 4.5 (which is what Robert Woods ran and he's fast), and first in the vertical, broad jump and the 3 cone drill. I was reading that he dropped so far in the draft because he had several injuries in college that slowed him down, but if we don't resign Chandler this guy might be a sleeper for us next year. I know that combine numbers don't always translate to game speed, but 4.5 is remarkable for a 250 pounder, and they say he has good hands. He's got a year under his belt, and saw some playing time last year. Somebody coach this guy up on his blocking skills and teach him how to run the seams like Gronk and Vernon Davis. We have a QB who isn't super accurate, and big receiving targets with speed are a far better idea than little targets with speed. Gragg Draft Profile: Straight-line speed helps him separate from linebackers in the middle of the field, Possesses receiver-like hands, adjusting to poor throws and going up to snatch passes above his head. Strong runner after the catch, churning through and spinning off tackles to maximize the play. Gives good effort as an in-line and downfield blocker. I'm not going out to buy my Gragg jersey yet, but Stevie came from the 7th round and made a big impact, maybe this kid can do the same. I'm with you on his upside. He was widely regarded as top TE in college football going into his last year, even ahead of Eifert, until injuries derailed his season. Bring in Pettigrew to be part of a 2 TE offense with him being the blocker and possession guy and Gragg stretching the D on the other side. That would help open the run game and the WRs up. I'm fine drafting Ebron, but I've cooled more on him given his drop rate. Would rather see us pick up Pettigrew and work on developing Gragg and Moeaki then use out draft pick on Mack, OT, or Big WR. Edited March 11, 2014 by Alphadawg7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I really wanted Gragg to pan out.....but so far he hasnt shown enough to be counted on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luxy312 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I don't dislike Chris Gragg, but have questions. How can the Bills have so many injuries to receivers and TE's last year and yet this guy has a grand total of 5 catches; 4 of which came in just one game? There has to be something that's not quite right with his game where the team has decided not to put him on the field. Does he drop passes? Is his route running not up to par? I don't know the answer here, but there's obviously something holding him back from contributing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 He was targeted 7 times, caught 5 passes. So, at most he dropped 2 passes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QB Bills Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 You're joking, right? The oline wasn't as bad as it's made up to be around here. The qbs were awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussellDopeland Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I fully expected that there would be a link in the first post to some B.S. article on buffalobills.com by Chris Brown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 The oline wasn't as bad as it's made up to be around here. The qbs were awful. The OL was plenty bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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