This time from Profootballfocus and their new college football section. Not sure I agree with all of it, but here it is...
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/06/16/college-fantasy-footbal...
If you've never heard the name Bucky Hodges, you either don't follow college football closely and wait for NFL production, or simply haven't had the pleasure.
While Malleck led the teams tight ends in receiving yards in last years MAJOR upset over Ohio State in Week 2, it was Hodges who caught the go-ahead TD pass that decided the game. He finished with CFFs 7th-best receiving-specific grade (+5.5), accomplishing the feat as a redshirt freshman, and who had only recently converted to the position from quarterback!
Two potential limitations exist to Hodges' '15 outlook: first, he was "stunted" by subpar quarterback play during his first season and, second, he struggles with his blocking responsibilities. It's no coincidence that the Hokies devoted ample time to recruiting one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks from the 2015 class, Dwayne Lawson. With the late-season struggles of current starting QB Michael Brewer carrying over into the spring, the team could be closer to making a change.
Despite quarterback performance, Hodges has a skill-set rarely EVER seen at the tight end position. While he won't even reach the age of twenty until August, his measurables are, all jokes aside, comparable to those of Kellen Winslow II and future NFL Hall-of-Famers Graham and Gronkowski.
It remains to be seen if he will have the same type of NFL-impact as these once-in-a-lifetime talents, but his '14 metrics were very impressive. He pulled in nine receptions from 10 catchable targets greater than 20-plus yards and converted three into TDs. In addition to posting 53 percent of his receiving total on 20-plus passes, his 1.60 YPRR is bordering on elite at the position and will only improve from better play behind center. Considering defenses must also account for fellow superstar-sophomore WR Isaiah Ford, the ability to add extra defenders to stop Hodges is nearly impossible.
Bottom Line: Hopefully, this information has convinced you of the importance of Hodges to the fantasy landscape. He is one of the most valuable players in devy-formats that will provide guaranteed value for many, many years. A very reasonable case could be made for selecting the second-year tight end as early as the second-or-third round in redrafts. He is the No. 1 tight end in the country, likely first team All-American, and Mackey Award winner. For DFS purposes, rostering Hodges is slightly more complicated. His salary was consistently at the top-end of tight ends in 2014 and the play of Brewer must improve to justify such a cost. If Brewer comes out firing on all cylinders, not only will Hodges be in consideration ... he would be in another comparable situation to (a healthy) Graham/Gronkowski as players you MUST have on your roster.
Comments
The praise is terrific but...
1) Bucky may not have been perfect on executing blocking assignments (hard to tell), however when you saw him lock up on a defender, he rarely was beaten. His blocking was one of the big surprises on the season.
2) Bucky has a ton to learn. He isn't a great route runner yet. He also needs to be much more proficient in reading defensive coverage and sitting down in zones where he makes himself available. For the most part, he beat man coverage and used his unique size and athleticism to make plays. He was great doing that, but he is capable of even more if he learns how to play the position.
count them. 1...2...3
With the late-season struggles of current starting QB Michael Brewer carrying over into the spring...
The writer seems confused here. Without an explicit explanation of those struggles as to Brewer's play or physical ailments I have some trouble with this. By all accounts I read his spring ended up fairly well.
It basically was a way to get Lawson's name thrown in, is how I read it.
Yeah I stopped reading after that sentence. Showed they literally did not follow a second of our spring practicing and just winged this piece without a clue.
Brewers play was one of our brightest spots throughout the spring. The exact opposite of what they claimed.
That was the most retarded part of the article. I was all like...
He had so much trouble in the spring that he's not only the starter going into the fall but he also won the most improved for the offense.....so yeah.....
Got my hokieboner back for the offense
It's been a while since someone could say that. I thought if you don't use it, you lose it?
True, but in Blacksburg they have been Brewing up a special concoction in a big barn so that you can afFord to Phillip your offensive mojo and Buck whatever trend you've experienced in recent years. Like an little orange or maroon pill.
They been brewing that stuff up in the hills around there for a looooonnnnng time. It is special, and especially potent. A good thing. Them little orange or maroon pills, now, I'd steer clear of them. They'll flat out get after ya.
Bucky struggles with his blocking responsibilities
Far from the truth. French already showed that Bucky is an underrated blocker.
Bucky is more of a Jimmy Graham type of player than a Gronkowski,
Bucky has much improved his blocking. Hoping we see that 3 TE offense that was hinted at last year and catch OSU off guard in the opener.
Id love to see a little hurry up offense with the 3TE set. Put Rogers and Trey out there with them. You have power running, play action deep threat, and everyone can catch.
This also reminds me of what a huge get Isaiah Ford was late in the '14 class. We actually have some legit options forming on this offense. Hopefully Malleck and Klein stay healthy, Phillips takes a step forward, and I am a fan of getting Greg Stroman the ball.
Bucky is great and has potential but he hasn't done enough to deserve such hyperbolic praise. Let's see how he does this fall.
Bad thoughts enter my head when I think about us without Ford last year. Cam is good, but.....
That's the truth. Hopefully Ellis can come to the good guys and start a trend in VT recruiting. 2014 we had Ford and Cam, 2015 we have Kumah and Ellis...