So after reading that Todd McShay (ESPN) dropped Bucky Hodges to the #8 TE in his newest rankings I went to the interwebs to look at other opinions/predictions for the draft and post my first forum topic. I figure this should be especially interesting now as we're just over a month out and we've seen how most of the bigger free agency signings have shaken out.
Note: all of these sources were written within the past 7-10 days so they should be current enough for discussion purposes.
- CBS Sports has him as the #6 TE and #74 overall. He's behind Howard, Njoku, Engram, Shaheen, and Everett.
- Awesome read on him from Mile High Report where the Broncos writers would like to see him in the 2nd/3rd round. "He is a mismatch nightmare and chess piece since he can lineup outside, in the slot, inline and in the backfield as well."
- The Falcoholic also has a solid synopsis on him and how he could be a contributor for the Falcons. The sum up the article with: "Hodges needs some work, but even as a raw prospect at this point, he has enough of a skill set right now to be a contributor to the Falcons offense in 2017. The potential is obvious for Hodges. When the dust settles, Hodges has Pro Bowl potential."
- Yet another SB Nation blog article, this one from Acme Packing Co describes the Packers fans' interest in Hodges. They just released Jared Cook and signed Martellus Bennett though, so this might not be the fit for him afterall. I liked the back story they included on how he transitioned from QB to TE though and how his past QB experience and time reading defensive coverages in high school really added to his ability to get open and understand what his QB is looking for. I had never heard this story from him before either:
Hodges went on to play tight end on the scout team all season, and got some good feedback from NFL scouts who came to watch older players on Virginia Tech's roster. "We had a lot of pro prospects on (defense) at the time," Hodges said on Friday. "I was making good plays on them and (the scouts) gave me some good feedback that it was a good position change."
- NFL.com's Chad Reuter has Hodges as the 7th TE off the board to Atlanta in the 3rd Round.
- Draft Wire for USA Today has Bucky going as the 5th TE, after the big 3 and Adam Shaheen (Ashland). But it's late in the 3rd at 88 overall to the Raiders. Am I the only one that reads "the Raiders" in Chris Berman's voice?
- Da Windy City sees him as a 2nd rounder to eventually replace the often injured Zach Miller. They do point out the negative on him, which we are well aware of: "Hodges shows the necessary power to make an impact as a run blocker at the next level, but he does do it consistently. I don't know if Hodges gets bored blocking or what it is, but he simply does not give consistent effort as a run blocker. That simply must change at the next level."
- Andy Bitter had some info on NFL team's which are showing interest in him as well:
Bucky Hodges said coaches for Bengals & Jets worked him out in blocking drills today. Has meetings set up with the Browns & Saints. #Hokies— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) March 15, 2017
- The Browns are drafting at 1, 12, 33, 52, and 65. So if they are interested they have 4 draft picks in the 1st and 2nd round, which would be good for Bucky's pocket but not sure how many will be happy to see him go to Cleveland.
- The Saints are drafting at 11, 32, 42, 76, and 103. Most here would rather see him go to New Orleans I would imagine. Well they have 3 draft picks in the first 2 rounds to make that happen, with 2 more in the 3rd.
- So Hokie fans might want to watch for those first 2 picks in the 2nd round for a bit of anticipation and hopefully excitement.
I think it's safe to assume that the first 3 TEs to be drafted in April will be: O.J. Howard (Ala), David Njoku (Mia), and Evan Egram (Miss). Some of the predictions even have all 3 going in the 1st Round. After that it seems to look like there's a mix of several TEs and it will be dependent upon each individual team's analysis as well as what type/style of TE they're looking for. It looks like he should be in that #4-#8 mix (essentially the 2nd Tier) with Shaheen (Ashland), Everett (S Ala), Butt (Mich), and Leggett (Clem).
If they're looking for just an ok blocker who's a big play maker that can run a good route and make some big plays downfield, especially when there's a mismatch from the defensive side of the ball, then I'm assuming that Bucky Hodges will be on their short list and around TE #4-6. Either way I don't see how he goes any later than the 3rd round, but hopefully someone sees him as a solid fit for their team and grabs (reaches for?) him in the 2nd.
What are your thoughts on where Bucky Hodges ends up?
Comments
I think that Bucky is a solid 3rd round pick. He was never going to be a high first rounder because he isn't quite polished enough yet (Jimmy Graham fell to the 3rd for similar reasons) but he still has a ton of potential.
Bucky has struggled with falling immediately as he catches and dropping passes, but people forget that he is still learning how to be a receiver/tight end. He played QB his whole life up to his redshirt year. Hopefully, he can learn how to catch more with hands instead of his body and he will be a beast and matchup nightmare. But that's much easier said than done, especially for someone who is still learning the position.
I wish Bucky well, our fanbase has been hard on him a ton over the years (sometimes a little too much, I'm not sure he appreciates the running jokes about him falling after every catch) but he's been a great Hokie and has provided many highlights for us to remember.
I think you're right about the 3rd round. Even with the relatively large number of good TEs in this draft I can't see him falling out of the 3rd. I think he will be a great draft for someone there and will continue to improve year after year. As a Hokie and a Bucky fan I do hope that he somehow makes it into the 2nd round though. Maybe if those top 3 all get drafted in the 1st round (not too probable but some see it happening) then some other teams will decide to pull the trigger early as well.
I want an honest opinion about his drops. I mean I never felt like it was a huge issue over the years, but that's been one of his knocks. Do we really feel like he dropped a ton of passes?
Also, I could give a shit about the falling down after catches. He had Michael Brewer throwing the ball to him for most of his career, and he always did a great job of boxing people out for a sure handed grab in the clutch. Most "fall downs" were due to concentration on making fantastic grabs, or a defender being there to hit him low when he caught the ball.
People have contrived a narrative about him that isn't nearly as legitimate as they think. A lot of the fanbase is just generally negative towards Bucky anyway. It's always frustrated me, because he was a playmaker who consistently made big catches and helped us win games, but I won't have to read about it as much soon so I try to let it go most of the time.
I never thought there was a negative towards him. I am way removed as a student, so I can't say.
I have seen what folks have seen, but haven't really thought it was that big a deal. I recently re-watched the loluva game, and the only time I saw him fall down immediately upon catching the ball was in the end zone, and who's gonna gripe about that. Also, jump balls don't make for many yards after catch, I'd assume. Bucky was usually pretty well covered, as well. He couldn't be sneaking around like Cam did, he was too big to hide.
My head tells me that he will be a late 2nd early 3rd rounder but for some reason I have a feeling in my heart that some team will fall in love with his measurables and potential and will take a stab late in the 1st.
He would benefit most from being in Atlanta, in terms of the single coverage he would see. With Jones and Sanu already there, Bucky could be a redzone machine.
Also add the NY Giants as team interested, as they interviewed him at the combine.
Am I the only one that reads "the Raiders" in Chris Berman's voice?
* DA RAIDAS
On point, he is a project. He is definitely an athletic freak but his route running and hands need work. Day 3 for him, Ford, and Rodgers (sacrilege I know but not many teams use FB's anymore) would be my dartboard guess.
Since he's considered to be in the Jimmy Graham mold, I'd think the Saints would be a perfect fit for him.
i don't see the comparison myself. Jimmy is bigger (weight wise) and can play with his hand down. Bucky is a big WR.
Except he's not a big WR either.
Fans see him as having two positions. Coaches, scouts and GMs are going to be concerned he has no position.
He has played as a big WR. Look at the nfl comparison from the draft analysis that they even have for him... Devin Funchess.
He's not a big NFL WR. I don't care what some obligatory comparison says.
what is he then? He's not a NFL TE either. He was a big college WR and will likely be the same in the NFL. Very very poor man version of mike evans.
I think we might be in violent agreement. To my eyes, I've always suspected he would be a guy without a position at the next level.
Combine JG was 260, BH 257
Pfft... Bucky can play with his whole body down, while still occasionally catching the ball in the process.
touche!
The way the league is structured now with the rookie salary caps it really doesn't matter what round you go in. I got it, top picks still get paid more than mid draft guys, but we all know you really make money in your 2nd contract.
From Business Insider
Looks like there's a HUGE dropoff after the 1st round and into the 2nd. So definitely a desire to be in the 1st but there's still a financial benefit for the 2nd over the 3rd. After that, you're right and it doesn't really matter.
Which is why I felt that if he stayed he would be a first round WR/TE next year. Instead he is a looking like a late 2nd-4th round prospect.
Likewise it would seem Jerod could be looking at a lucrative 1st round or at least 2nd round next year if he'd stayed (and didn't get hurt and did well etc etc)...
Signed,
Capt. Obvious
I was hoping Ford and Hodges would stay, I never dreamed that Evans would go. It was an insane move and I think he might be regretting it.
I agree, would definitely be regretful if it was me. Somehow Jerod strikes me as someone who doesn't waste a lot of time on regret and just keeps moving forward.
sometimes its the first domino, who ironically ran slow(ly i guess) ... hope it works out for him
then BH who got schemed on a few times this year determined he was leaving (i mean his #1 is gone, why wouldn't you if you got a good rating)
then JE, says hey my #1,#2 leaving... ummm...
cheering for these guys hope it works out for them
different frame of mind here...but whatif jerod saw the writing on the walls. he never wowed me as a thrower, love the guy but ford and hodges bailed him out a ton... gotta wonder if he was worried he might not even start this time next year. the optomist in me kinda thinks maybe josh jackson had something to do with this
There's still a big drop off percentage-wise with every round. People who thought it was a no-brainer for Ford, Hodges or, even, Evans to leave early should take a long hard look at this graph.
Particularly after the draft.
Yeah I was glad to have found that graph, I was wondering about that myself. Certainly if you're projected as a potential 1st rounder, go for it. If you're told it'll maybe be the 1st but most likely 2nd, I think you might as well go as well since there can always be injuries or a down year. After that I think it's a pretty big gamble. Of course if you're still worried about injury and would rather ensure that you at least get drafted, no matter where, then I guess that's when you bolt as a Junior.
Just curious ... what the "now not so new" negotiated pay structure has done to life-time earnings?
Not sure the vets feel like the deal has helped them? But who has it helped? Sorry so off topic, long shot type question.
It has to have helped the Vet's some. Those early first round picks were actually eating into cap space significantly for players that had never played a down and were going to make far more than the vets.
Reducing those first round picks contracts forced teams to spend more money on the rest of the team in order to keep in compliance with cap guidelines. That money either went to more skill players or helped everybody overall.
Try a guy like Whitworth who signed a $15 Million 3 year deal at the rip age of 35. That contract is enormous for someone that age that plays LT, and is on the wrong side of 35.
Totally ignorant question, but what about him makes him a tight end? Too slow or not good enough running routes to be classified as a receiver? Did he just say he wants to be a tight end? I don't really see him in the pure tight end role, but curious why he is referred to as such.
Disclaimer: I know jack shit about football for the most part.
He is technically not fast enough to be a WR, so they label him a TE. Also, he cracks back on LBs and DEs for blocking purposes. Most WRs aren't physically big enough to do so.
He ran a similar 40 to Kelvin Benjamin. He does have 20 lbs on him at their respective combine weigh ins, but I feel like there's gotta be something else causing the TE talk for Bucky when there wasn't so much of it for Benjamin.
4.58 is definitely fast enough to be a receiver (and faster than Ford and most of the WR prospects at the combine), it's moreso that he is something of an inbetween positions jumbo athlete. That said, he is up to just under 260 which puts him clearly in the TE mold at 6'6 257lbs.
Mike Evans ran a 4.53, 12 reps, 37inch, 4.26 20ys, 11.58 60ys
Bucky Hodges ran 4.57, 18 reps, 39 inch, 4.45 20 ys, 12.08 60ys
ME 6 5, 231.... BH 6 6, 257 had that 134inch broad
BH's measurables are pretty amazing in context. Evans is a more accomplished WR, and has long arms, but people thinking that Evans is somehow a different animal altogether. Give it a couple years in the league and focus on WR or TE. Paths may diverge if BH focuses on TE, but BH may end up playing more WR than we think.
Having a guy like that certainly puts pressure on the defense. If it puts pressure on the safeties, BH becomes a big success. If the LBs can cover him, or DBs can cover him without having to coordinate, I can see round 3 selection or later because he's gonna have to learn how to block. My guess is people see matchup nightmare with safety implications and a round 1,2 draft. But there must be enough tape for guys who have watched the matchups to see whether there is something special there. Very few people writing stuff for websites have watched enough tape to know, including me.
Hodges isn't remotely the receiver that Evans was in college.
tight ends are a huge advantage in this day and age of football. think of it this way the average cornerback is around 6' and the average linebacker is pretty slow, meaning if you have a 6'6 guy who can outrun a linebacker youre at an advantage at the short game let alone the deep game if their safeties arent freaks of nature.
its become a very valued position due to gronk, jason witten, vernon davis, antonio gates and greg olsen being that they can be matchup nightmares. be prepared for the salary to catchup as such but for the time being theyre great weapons that are underpaid and cheap as such and bucky fits RIGHT in if he can block a little bit better. the dude is a matchup nightmare
Those same match-up advantages - and then some - exist in the college game too. How many times did you find yourself saying "Boy, Bucky just worked [insert name or position] like a prison bitch all game long"?
how many times did you say the same thing about vernon davis? point is he might have a better qb throwing him the ball or a better OC than loeffler for a good portion of his career. he did have some great games against pitt this year miami this year and duke 2015
Bucky will do VERY well in the NFL. Multiple Pro Bowls, book it. He won't be handicapped like he was in college, his YAC will skyrocket.
His game will be altered, after falling down to make the catch he'll be able to get back up and run. He simply couldn't do that at VT.
I get that many think he was hindered since he was a QB up until he switched, but I am worried that after a couple years at his new position, many still consider him a raw prospect.
Guess I just see it that he should have sharpened up during that time. And to think that the pros consider him a project is a bit of a knock on our coaching.
Its not like he has long odds to get drafted, but its starting to look like a tall order for him to go first round.
It was always a tall order for him to get drafted in the 1st round. TEs a position group don't go particularly high or frequently in the draft.
[Tall order, tight ends...there's a joke there somewhere...]
Pro Football Focus scouting report:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-pff-scouting-report-bucky-hodges-...
That's a fairly glowing report, possible 2nd rounder with Jimmy Graham potential.
I'm no Bucky homer, but i'm not sure why the Miss and Mia TE's are above him. TBF I haven't watched any of their film other than NJoku against us (which, he did really well, but our busted coverage really helped him more than anyting. That and the turf monster hehe). Is it because they basically can block and Bucky is suspect at best?
Engram is also likely a less than stellar in-line blocker. He is even more in the build of a receiver than Bucky, he played at around 6'3 215-220 at Ole Miss and was subject to the "Is he actually a tight end or just a big slot receiver" discussion, and much like Bucky, his receiving accomplishments were often downplayed by the fact that he wasn't really a tight end, despite the title. But Njoku has the bonus of being a more traditional tight end + a freak athlete like Bucky.