SI NFL Mock 3.0 - Maxx to Houston at #16

Donate To GopherHole
R

Russ Archambault

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
112
Reaction score
0
Points
16

I like this a lot. If they find someone to throw to him, yet again...he didn't have that much
here, either.
 

Really makes me wonder what Kiper is thinking about Maxx. I read in one of his chats within the past few weeks he thinks Maxx is a 3rd-4th rounder and a lot will depend on what he runs. While his 40 time will be important I just can't see him dropping that far with the skills he brings to the table.
 

jaymil said:
Really makes me wonder what Kiper is thinking about Maxx. I read in one of his chats within the past few weeks he thinks Maxx is a 3rd-4th rounder and a lot will depend on what he runs. While his 40 time will be important I just can't see him dropping that far with the skills he brings to the table.
Click to expand...

He'll drop a lot if he runs poorly based on that safeties and LBs will have no issue covering him (despite his height) on the outside in 1 on 1 type iso matchups at the next level if he can't run/get away from them. There's a reason that people were so high on him and it was for the possibility of him being the next Graham/Gronk etc. I don't really see that but think he could be a Witten if given the time to develop. But no one wants to burn a 1st rounder on a guy that will be a Witten in 2-3 years which is why he could drop fast if he doesn't show the athleticism to run away from secondary coverage guys (ie not CBs). That's just MO
 

CBS' Dane Brungler has Maxx going to Denver at 28.

28. DENVER BRONCOS
Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota: The top three tight ends on the Broncos' depth chart are all free agents, including Julius Thomas, who the Broncos might not be able to retain. If that is the case, Denver could look to the draft for his replacement and Williams has the talent to warrant a first-round selection.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/expert/dane-brugler
 


All that being said, I don't think he'll run incredibly well and will fall to the 2nd round unless someone like GB decides to take a shot at him late in the 1st and though he might not have a huge rookie year, I think he'll be one of the best TEs in the league within 5 years. He offers so much more than a Graham/Gronk in that he has the frame to block and his phenomenal body control plus he can create separation using his frame (which is why Graham especially is struggling now since he can't get away from people when he doesn't have a speed advantage). He'll be a pleasant surprise for whoever snags him if they can get him for 2nd round money
 

More on Maxx, from last week; Rotoworld breaks down his tape: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51417/349/cians-corner-maxx-williams

From a pure skill set point of view, Williams appears to have the potential to be a very valuable starting tight end in the NFL.

Even though he should be able to contribute for an NFL offense immediately, Williams could find himself following a similar career path to that of Martellus Bennett. Bennett was unfortunate to land behind Jason Witten for the Dallas Cowboys early in his career. He was largely just a blocking tight end for the Cowboys before he established himself as an all-around player for his second and third teams. Blocking tight ends don't really represent value in the NFL unless they offer specific skills as receivers.

During his rookie season, Williams may struggle to create separation against better athletes down the field, but his strength at the catch point should make him a dangerous red zone weapon at the very least. That should be considered the worst case scenario also.

Williams may not go high in the first round of the 2015 draft, but it shouldn't be a surprise if he is viewed as the final piece for a playoff team picking later on.
 

Gopher07 said:
More on Maxx, from last week; Rotoworld breaks down his tape: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51417/349/cians-corner-maxx-williams

From a pure skill set point of view, Williams appears to have the potential to be a very valuable starting tight end in the NFL.

Even though he should be able to contribute for an NFL offense immediately, Williams could find himself following a similar career path to that of Martellus Bennett. Bennett was unfortunate to land behind Jason Witten for the Dallas Cowboys early in his career. He was largely just a blocking tight end for the Cowboys before he established himself as an all-around player for his second and third teams. Blocking tight ends don't really represent value in the NFL unless they offer specific skills as receivers.

During his rookie season, Williams may struggle to create separation against better athletes down the field, but his strength at the catch point should make him a dangerous red zone weapon at the very least. That should be considered the worst case scenario also.

Williams may not go high in the first round of the 2015 draft, but it shouldn't be a surprise if he is viewed as the final piece for a playoff team picking later on.
Click to expand...

God I hope GB doesn't land him. He'd be a brutal player for the Vikes to have to cover for the next 10 years....
 

I think Maxx brings a lot to the table. One of those guys a team could move around from TE to H-back to get him isolated. Savvy receiver with a real feel for the game. I agree that his 40-time is what will determine whether he's a first rounder or not, but I can't see him lasting beyond the 2nd round.
 



upnorthkid said:
God I hope GB doesn't land him. He'd be a brutal player for the Vikes to have to cover for the next 10 years....
Click to expand...

If GB lets Cobb go, it would not surprise me to see them go after Maxx at that pick. They probably, at this moment, need an ILB more, but without Cobb they would probably be looking to provide another passing option on offense after Nelson and Adams, beyond what Rodgers and Quarless give them.
 

Gopher07 said:
If GB lets Cobb go, it would not surprise me to see them go after Maxx at that pick. They probably, at this moment, need an ILB more, but without Cobb they would probably be looking to provide another passing option on offense after Nelson and Adams, beyond what Rodgers and Quarless give them.
Click to expand...

I know. It seems extremely likely they would take a shot at him. Would just pain me to see him in GB because as much as I like him, it'd still be pretty difficult to cheer for him at that point.
 

upnorthkid said:
I know. It seems extremely likely they would take a shot at him. Would just pain me to see him in GB because as much as I like him, it'd still be pretty difficult to cheer for him at that point.
Click to expand...

Hate to say it, but with a QB like Rodgers, GB would be a great situation for Maxx if that turned out to be the case. BTW, I despise the Packers also.
 




It's a Pig Man! said:
No one wants to spend a first round pick on a hall of famer?
Click to expand...

I'm saying that if he's not there yet, he will likely be there in the 2nd. Usually a TE that's a developmental project won't be a 1st round money grab. That's what I was getting at.
 

e.bigelow said:
Hate to say it, but with a QB like Rodgers, GB would be a great situation for Maxx if that turned out to be the case. BTW, I despise the Packers also.
Click to expand...

Much as I would hate to see him go the the Packers, the best thing for Maxx would be to land on a good team with a well established QB. Late first round wouldn't be as good as early/mid first round from a money standpoint but it would be much better from a career standpoint to end up on a good team with a need for a pass catching TE. No matter where he goes, I just hope he ends up in a great situation for him to have success early in his career.
 

upnorthkid said:
I'm saying that if he's not there yet, he will likely be there in the 2nd. Usually a TE that's a developmental project won't be a 1st round money grab. That's what I was getting at.
Click to expand...

I understand what you're getting at but a player that doesn't light it up his first year in the league isn't exactly a developmental project IMO. I think Maxx will be a more than serviceable TE right from the word go with the potential to be a game-changer in his career.
 

It's a Pig Man! said:
I understand what you're getting at but a player that doesn't light it up his first year in the league isn't exactly a developmental project IMO. I think Maxx will be a more than serviceable TE right from the word go with the potential to be a game-changer in his career.
Click to expand...

Agree he's definitely better than some of the guys that get play right now. The part that worries me with him is he's not a physically dominant TE in the run blocking department yet and that's why I think his 40/shuttle is going to be huge for him to get drafted in the first round. Think he needs a year or two of working in the scheme for run blocking (esp in a place like Houston with their run blocking scheme) and to throw on some extra weight if he's going to be like a Witten. But it's all semantics at this point and differences in opinion in valuation. He'll have to have the right team want to pull the trigger on him. I can't really say I see why Houston would want to drop a mid 1st rounder on him because they need more help than a TE to make a playoff impact but could really see a GB, snatching him with one of the last few picks in the 1st round or someone trading up to get him.

Anyways, we both agree on the idea that Maxx will be a stellar player in his career. It's more a matter of I'm thinking GMs are going to gamble on getting him in the late 1st/early-to-mid 2nd rather than pull the trigger in the 1st.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Much as I would hate to see him go the the Packers, the best thing for Maxx would be to land on a good team with a well established QB. Late first round wouldn't be as good as early/mid first round from a money standpoint but it would be much better from a career standpoint to end up on a good team with a need for a pass catching TE. No matter where he goes, I just hope he ends up in a great situation for him to have success early in his career.
Click to expand...

Definitely agree there. If he goes later in the 1st, odds are it will be to a team with a established, consistent QB. Unless he ends up with Denver if Peyton chooses to retire, which I don't think he does quite yet. I think he as one more year in him.
 

upnorthkid said:
But no one wants to burn a 1st rounder on a guy that will be a Witten in 2-3 years
Click to expand...

You do realize that Witten is closing in on 1,000 career catches and outside of his rookies season, his WORST season he had 64 catches for 754 yards?

He's been with the team for 12 years, has the most receptions in a single season by a TE in NFL history, second most receptions and yards by a TE in NFL history, has Dallas Cowboy franchise records for catches, and has been voted 9 pro bowls, 6 all-pro teams, and was named TE of the year 3 times according to quick internet research.

I love the standards you are setting Maxx to, but they are pretty lofty.
 

MNfootballfan said:
You do realize that Witten is closing in on 1,000 career catches and outside of his rookies season, his WORST season he had 64 catches for 754 yards?

He's been with the team for 12 years, has the most receptions in a single season by a TE in NFL history, second most receptions and yards by a TE in NFL history, has Dallas Cowboy franchise records for catches, and has been voted 9 pro bowls, 6 all-pro teams, and was named TE of the year 3 times according to quick internet research.

I love the standards you are setting Maxx to, but they are pretty lofty.
Click to expand...

I'm not the one who came up with it. But that's who I'm seeing several analysts say he's most comparable to.
 

upnorthkid said:
I'm not the one who came up with it. But that's who I'm seeing several analysts say he's most comparable to.
Click to expand...

You're the one who said teams wouldn't spend a #1 pick on a player that 'will be a Witten in 2-3 years'.
 


Am I the only one who thinks Maxx will have a hard time blocking NFL DE's at first? He wasn't even a great blocker at the B1G level. I guess every receiver/TE has the same dream, but I'd love to see Maxx get picked by GB/Denver/NA, someone with a quality QB who likes to use the TE.
 

TEs don't need to block in the NFL any more if they are a "receiving TE". They need to throw a chip block in or help out every once in a while but Maxx will excel at catching passes. Teams have blocking TEs and pass catching TEs so he'll have a place.
 

MNfootballfan said:
You're the one who said teams wouldn't spend a #1 pick on a player that 'will be a Witten in 2-3 years'.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't on the premise that I could get him in the second. Guys who end up being first round talent don't always go in the first round you know.
 


upnorthkid said:
I wouldn't on the premise that I could get him in the second. Guys who end up being first round talent don't always go in the first round you know.
Click to expand...

True, guys with first round talent, don't always go in the first round, but those guys have character issues, criminal history, etc.
 

MNfootballfan said:
True, guys with first round talent, don't always go in the first round, but those guys have character issues, criminal history, etc.
Click to expand...

Or they're not immediate 1st round impact guys. I, again personally, feel that the TE position if the guy isn't there yet he'll drop more than a developmental QB for example. I think Maxx has the talent that will develop to make him one of the steals of the draft but the only teams I see taking him in the first are teams that can afford him to be a specialist from the word go (GB, Seattle). That's why I wouldn't take him first round unless I'm a receiving TE away from a potential Super Bowl caliber team because I don't know how much impact he can make right away. Now 2 or 3 years down the road I think he's going to be a Pro Bowl caliber guy but it's hard to drop 1st round money on a guy you're waiting for if your team isn't very good to start.

He'll be really interesting to watch in his draft stock. Right now projections are all over for him so if he runs well, he might slide up into the top 20. Anybody know when the last time that happened for the Gophers?

Also apologies for ranting MNfootballfan. It seems we have a difference in opinion approaching the draft. Feel that we both think Maxx will be very good, but it's just a difference on when we think he'll get taken.
 

upnorthkid said:
He'll be really interesting to watch in his draft stock. Right now projections are all over for him so if he runs well, he might slide up into the top 20. Anybody know when the last time that happened for the Gophers?
Click to expand...

Maroney went at #21 in 2006. To get into the top 20 you need to go back to 1990 when Darrell Thompson was drafted by the Packers at #19.

Since 1968, Minnesota has had just four players go in the first round:

2006 Laurence Maroney (21)
2001 Willie Middlebrooks (24)
1990 Darrell Thompson (19)
1989 Brian Williams (18)
 

Gopher07 said:
Maroney went at #21 in 2006. To get into the top 20 you need to go back to 1990 when Darrell Thompson was drafted by the Packers at #19.

Since 1968, Minnesota has had just four players go in the first round:

2006 Laurence Maroney (21)
2001 Willie Middlebrooks (24)
1990 Darrell Thompson (19)
1989 Brian Williams (18)
Click to expand...

This is really depressing. Wow. Hadn't realized it'd been that bad
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom