I was going to do the linemen today, but the Battlehawks just put (probably) the best tight end on their roster, Jaylen Smith on reserve, meaning he won’t be on the team. So I’d like to get ahead of it before the roster cuts today and before more guys leave.
With Anthony Becht’s history as a tight end and AJ McCarron’s mobility potentially being to be less than ideal, so it’s more than reasonable to assume the tight ends are going to be getting a lot of targets and work. Luckily there are still 4 on the roster, so we’ll see who’s got the skillset that sticks against the wall.
Jovani Haskins:
24 years old
6’ 6”
250 lbs
West Virginia 2017-2019
Rutgers 2020-2021
The knocks against Haskins are about his deep threat and explosive play potential, and when I’m looking at a tight end, that is fine with me. He’s got good acceleration, but he doesn’t top out at the highest speed meaning he’s not the biggest threat in the seams. He’s not super agile to evade tackles. He’s also had some issues with running before he catches the ball and some other concentration drops.
Other than that though…
He’s quick to get outside and he’s a good blocker. He’s a very big guy, but he has some of the moves and route-running capabilities of a stereotypical wide receiver. Put those things together with good hands and you’re looking at a pretty decent big-bodied tight end.
Jevoni Robinson:
30 years old
6’ 8”
225 lbs
Texans 2017-2018
AAF 2019
Spring League 2021
So. He’s a 30-year-old big man.
He switched from playing basketball in Italy to playing football in 2017 and got picked up by the Texans where he stayed on the practice squad for a couple of years. Then he got picked up by an AAF team and cut before the season started. Then he played in The Spring League in 2021 where he recorded his first stats: 3 catches for 19 yards.
I guess the point I’m trying to make is that I don’t know his game, but he’s tall.
Jake Sutherland:
6’ 5”
261 lbs
Morehead State 2014-2017
AAF 2019
XFL 2020
Sutherland is another just really really big person. He’s a big, “I’m going to block you to death” guy rather than an “I’m going to catch you to death” guy. He can make plays in the passing game, but he’s going to have to be really really open for that, and even then, he’s not going to be the first option.
I like him as a 6th lineman in a jumbo package. Put the big guys on the field and let them do big guy things. That’s how they stay happy.
Jordan Thomas:
26 years old
6’ 5”
277 lbs
Mississippi State 2016-2017
Texans 2018-2019
Cardinals 2020
Patriots 2020
Colts 2021
Lions 2022
Jordan Thomas has never really stuck around anywhere. After his stint with the Texans ended, he was another one of those guys that would get signed to a practice roster, then elevated to the active roster, then go right back down to the practice roster.
He’s another freak of nature as far as his size and speed go, but those physical traits will only get you so far. His hands aren’t the best, his routes aren’t the best, and he needs to improve on using his body to really gain an advantage. He just never really developed as a ball player, but who knows? Maybe playing against guys that are less talented than those on an NFL roster will help him get there.