Browns Free Agent TE Prospects, Dumb Analysis, Smart Analysis, etc

It's hard to find thought-provoking articles this week, but Randy Gurzi wrote a good one on free agent TEs who could come in and challenge (or complement) Rodney Njokufield.

Randy's intro was extremely refreshing, as it didn't blame Njoku for getting stuck in the Dawg House, or assume that Kevin Stefanski and co would feel the same way.

*I do need to note that Randy assumes more facts not in evidence as he cites a chip on David's shoulder over John Dorsey publicly saying he needed to improve as a blocker.  

Njoku comes from a very successful family loaded with big brains, and his public response to Dorsey's criticism was genuine. Njoku said that he agreed with Dorsey, and would do so.

Intelligent people are not offended by honest and legitimate criticism.  (Well...unless you're Baker Mayfield, but don't get me started on that guy)*

Anyway I'd never heard of Nick Vannet until I read this article, but he sounds very interesting--especially since he will be undervalued (errah...cheap).

He's not the athletic freak Njoku is, but has Austin Hooper-like catch per-target numbers, and the size and reach for both the red zone and in-line blocking.

Some guy named "Dissly" elbowed him aside in Seattle after a promising rookie season, and then he got to back up Vance McDonald on a Steelers' offense...

Vannet is unlikely to "beat out" Njoku, but could well be a great backup, complement, and red zone threat...dirt cheap.

I still can't agree on Tyler Eiffert, even at his own cheap price.  Even if he manages not to get hurt again, he's redundant with Njoku, and competing with him for snaps.

Like everybody else except me, Randy ignores Kareem Hunt, and the obvious 2-back offense Stefanski will obviously run, given the current skill players he inherits.

Tyler Eiffert is not a blocking Tight End, and probably won't be cheap enough to justify displacing a younger, cheaper player with a brighter future so he can be Njoku-light for one---

Ok Randy? A swing and a miss, ok?

Eric Ebron is interesting, however!!! Randy Gurzi zeros in on how Ebron produced with Andrew Luck, as opposed to Stafford and Brissett, and he makes a strong case for this 27-year-old freak.

PFF grades him about 71 overall, with the blocking and receiving scores about right there.  I can assure you that if I could afford PFF's full subscription, I could isolate Andrew Luck with Ebron and show you significantly higher receiving grades, but 71 is pretty good.

Eric Ebron might be a great undervalued addition to the 2020 roster.

PFF grades him marginal in as a pass protector, but decent as a run-blocker and receiver.  Like Eiffert, Ebron redundates with Njoku somewhat, except he's a better in-line blocker, younger, and more durable.

*Eiffert makes more big plays than Ebron, but common sense analytics want you to lock up the younger, more reliable player long-term at the cheapest possible price*

Unlike Eiffert, Ebron is a legit in-line run-blocker, and perfectly fits the Shanahan play action zone-blocking offense (as a blocker, as well as a receiver).

Anyway, Gurzi missed in Eiffert, but between Vannet and Ebron, he's probably found 2 of DePoBerry's top FA TE targets.

Sean Lee is 33.  STOP IT!

What tf is the matter with you people!?!  My god you want to trade a 2nd round pick for a 31 year old often injured OT and pay him 10% of your salary cap too?  

You want to sign a THIRTY NINE YEAR OLD injury-prone Left Tackle?

Trading OBJ is unthinkable?  

You're still counting on Olivier Vernon, aren't you?

...sorry: I was always a Browns fan,  but was clueless until I was in my late 20's, and a dumbass for a long while longer.

I declared Derrick Anderson the franchise QB.  I thought Crowell was a stud RB.

But I'm smarter now.

But I was once as dumb as most of you.