Berry started strong on day 3 with TE Harrison Bryant.
Tight Ends are typically undervalued, but in this case, one could argue that Bryant was the best one in this draft class.
Bryant was probably "discounted" because he only weighs 243 lbs, had so-so combine numbers, and played at the lowest level of competition.
His vertical jump and 3-cone were frankly below average, and would have discouraged me, but what do I know? Zierlein seems to have brushed those numbers off like dandruff.
Bryant did get his chance to answer his small-school question at the Senior Bowl, and by all accounts belonged there with the big boys.
On film (as a receiver) Bryant isn't sudden, but is incredibly smooth. Well-balanced and coordinated--that's probably what Zierlein means by his basketball references.
Bryant is like Seth DeValve, except taller and more durable. He's an H-Back or "move" Tight End who shouldn't set up in-line in any conventional offense.
He did play offensive tackle until he was a HS senior, so he knows how to block in-line, but right now isn't strong enough in that role for the NFL.
As a HS Senior, he was a star defensive tackle (as well as receiver), so this is a very talented guy who will absotively tear it up on Special Teams in 2020.
Bryant sounds like Austin Hooper as a receiver. He exploited zone coverage in college, and has yet to prove he can get open vs man, but he has great hands. He's also dangerous after the catch.
Averaged over 18 YPC.
Bryant needs to get stronger, but can contribute immediately on offense.
A note here in re blocking: Wide Zone scheme, remember? Even if lined up at Y, he's probably blocking in space and on the move, or being a backside speed-bump, rather than squaring up vs guys who can push him around.
Bryant is David Njoku insurance, a reliable target, and special teamer. Great pick in the 4th round!
Center Nick Harris (only 6'1") is only a center, but looks a lot better to a zone-blocking team than to a Hue Jackson team, which is one of the reasons he slid to the 5th round.
A number of people are very high on Harris despite his lack of height, and see him as a potential starter as early as 2021.
He's smart, quick, agile, and technically NFL-ready.
Nick needs to get with Hans and Franz because he's also fat.
Nick "needs to get stronger" because right now big DTs and NTs push him around vs the pass.
In reality, he'll probably never overcome this weakness. He can get stronger, and his shorter stature helps his leverage, but his lack of length and reach disadvantage, plus starting each snap with one hand between his legs, will let the big guys get their mitts on him too quickly.
The offensive scheme here can minimize the number of those situations, and he has the quick feet to jump back and re-set (because he's so short), but he'll always give ground in those situations.
Nick might be a good special teamer too, but this is Tretter insurance/for the future. If these guys are right, Andrew Berry just drafted his next starting center in the 5th round.
Considering that he got this pick from the Colts for moving down 3 slots, that's pretty damn good!
I was kind of afraid of this:
Donovan Peoples-Jones is a shot in the dark.
He's a real deep threat (with an ungodly 44.5" vertical), and some see more in Peoples-Jones than Zierlein does, but there were other guys...
Anyway Peoples-Jones also has special teams potential, and he did have a bad QB situation in Michigan. And it was the sixth round, so that's ok.
1: Mike Preifer must be ecstatic with his new special teams toys this season.
2: For some reason, Andrew Berry didn't seem to see the "glaring" need for more linebackers.
I hear you: What was the Simmons pick about when Malick Harrison and others were still there?
Aside from being a really reliable tackler, what was Andrew looking at there?
Well, I can shed a little light on this:
A: Mack Wilson is good in coverage.
B: It now seems obvious that Joe Woods wants linebackers to mainly stop the run and short passes, and leave coverage to the coverage guys (as hard as that is to believe).
Delpit is almost 6'3", and better in coverage than vs the run. Greedy Williams is another tall defender (who will be bigger and stronger in 2020). I already mentioned Mack Wilson, who was already here, getting dissed by you guys.
I might as well mention that JT Hassel played linebacker in college, too.
3: Berry was here when Sashi Brown signed Tretter and Zietler (and drafted Garrett and Ogunjobi) and is serious about prioritizing the trenches (in depth).
Wills is obvious, but Jordan Elliott was regarded by most as the third best DT in this class. Nick Harris should immediately back up JC Tretter.
4: It looks like OBJ isn't going anywhere.
I guess with Njoku and Bryant, the Free Safety can't come up.
It should work.
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