XE Zach Ertz ~ Stanford Cardinal
6050/250
6050/250
Regarding Flex Ends
"Flex End" is my term for the New Age alleged "Tight End" who does a minimum of In Line Blocking, and spends most'f'is time Flexed Out ~ usually as the Slot Back or Slot End, and sometimes at Split End or FlankerBack.
Think Jimmy Graham, if you will.
The most compelling Attributes of a Flex End, in the 21st Century, are, in my view, and in no particular order:
Release ~ How Adeptly he employs Burst, Core Strength, Fluidity, & Combat to Dust Off the Defender
Routing ~ How Adeptly ~ Crisply, Intelligently, and Reliably ~ he Runs the Route Tree
Separation ~ Fluidity & Ricochet ~ Explosiveness out'f'is Breaks
Catching ~ Reliability & Technique
Navigation ~ How well he Navigates the Field in Pursuit of Yards After Catch
Blocking ~ Core Strength, Drive Power, Fluidity, and Combat
Think Jimmy Graham, if you will.
The most compelling Attributes of a Flex End, in the 21st Century, are, in my view, and in no particular order:
Release ~ How Adeptly he employs Burst, Core Strength, Fluidity, & Combat to Dust Off the Defender
Routing ~ How Adeptly ~ Crisply, Intelligently, and Reliably ~ he Runs the Route Tree
Separation ~ Fluidity & Ricochet ~ Explosiveness out'f'is Breaks
Catching ~ Reliability & Technique
Navigation ~ How well he Navigates the Field in Pursuit of Yards After Catch
Blocking ~ Core Strength, Drive Power, Fluidity, and Combat
Zach Ertz Scouting Report
Release ~ Weak. Not very Physical or Adept with'is Hands.
Routing ~ Extraordinary. Has a remarkable Command of Routes and terrific Vision.
Separation ~ Superior. Very Savvy & Instinctive, and very Fluid, but his Ricochet lacks Explosion.
Catching ~ Inconsistent. Great Hands, but not very Physical in Traffic.
Navigation ~ Exceptional > Shows great Instincts & Timing.
Blocking ~ Awful. Flashes Drive Power, but often fails to Finish.
Routing ~ Extraordinary. Has a remarkable Command of Routes and terrific Vision.
Separation ~ Superior. Very Savvy & Instinctive, and very Fluid, but his Ricochet lacks Explosion.
Catching ~ Inconsistent. Great Hands, but not very Physical in Traffic.
Navigation ~ Exceptional > Shows great Instincts & Timing.
Blocking ~ Awful. Flashes Drive Power, but often fails to Finish.
Prospectus
Zach Ertz was Neck & Neck with Tyler Eifert for many Moons, at the top of Tight End Projections, before recently sliding, when Eifert pulled away with superior Scores at The Combine.
Frankly, I tend to think that Ertz never quite belonged at that level.
In this emerging Era of the Tight End, I think he commands extraordinary Potential, mind you. But unless he developes into more of a physical player ~ Blocking, getting Off The Blocks, breaking Tackles ~ I expect that he'll fall short of Greatness. Even so, I expect'm to develop into a dangerous Weapon in the Passing Game.
Frankly, I tend to think that Ertz never quite belonged at that level.
In this emerging Era of the Tight End, I think he commands extraordinary Potential, mind you. But unless he developes into more of a physical player ~ Blocking, getting Off The Blocks, breaking Tackles ~ I expect that he'll fall short of Greatness. Even so, I expect'm to develop into a dangerous Weapon in the Passing Game.
Yank Rank: StudHorse ~ OverRated!!
| Consensus Market Value 2nd Round | Yankee Grade 3rd Round |
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