Bucs Review: Tight Ends

Next up for my Bucs Review are the Tight Ends.

Here is what the Buccaneers look like at the position as of right now:

1) Kellen Winslow
2) Luke Stocker
3) Daniel Hardy
4) Ryan Purvis

The great thing about the Buccaneers tight ends is that they are all under the age of 30 and are extremely athletic. It should be noted, that I did not include veteran John Gilmore with the tight ends. He’s a free agent, over 30, and with the drafting of rookie tight ends Luke Stocker and Daniel Hardy in this years draft, Gilmore becomes expendable.

Tampa’s clear cut starter is Kellen Winslow. I have stated that I believe Winslow will have a monster season this year and I stand by that statement. Winslow is an elite talent, especially at the tight end position. With great speed, hands, and run after the catch ability, he is a a mismatch for linebackers, safeties, and corners.

One reason to really be excited about Winslow, is that their have been reports of him saying that his knee is feeling better than it has in years. His numbers were impressive, totaling 66 rec 730 yds and 5 tds when his knee was bothering him all of last season, so one can only imagaine what his numbers will be like with a healthy knee. In Winslow’s two seasons here, he hasn’t missed a game and is well on his way to rewriting the Bucs record books when it comes to tight ends.

The depth behind Winslow is solid and filled with young players. The most exciting prospect is 2011, 4th round draft pick, Luke Stocker. Stocker, 6’5” 258, played his collegiate football at the University of Tennessee, hes a solid overall tight end that can both, block and receive well. Unfortunately, run blocking is an area that Winslow doesnt excell, but with the addition of Stocker, the Bucs now have a tight end that can be an asset in the running game and not miss a beat in the passing game. 

At Tennessee, Stocker was underused, but proved to be effective when he did get his opportunities, wracking up over 80 receptions and over 1000 yds. Stocker’s game most resembles that of Dallas Cowboys, All Pro Tight End, and former Volunteer, Jason Witten. Witten is probably the best overall tight end in the NFL. Hes not flashy, but is extremely talented and lets his play do all of the talking. If Stocker turns out to be half as good as Witten, the Bucs will easily have the best tight end combination in the NFL. 

Former Idaho standout, Daniel Hardy, is an interesting prospect. Hes got good size (6’4” 249), and is a gifted athlete. Hardy also had over 1000 yds during his career at Idaho, and this is with missed time due to injuries. He’s is a developmental guy that will most likely start his career on the practice squad. I think that former Kansas State tight end, Ryan Purvis, will end up winning the 3rd spot just because he has an edge on Hardy with knowing the playbook better and has been with the team the past couple of seasons. However, if Hardy can come in and learn the playbook quickly, then I believe that he would easily beat out Purvis. Hardy is the better athlete and has the ability to be a real receiving threat down the field.

All of these tight ends can contribute to the team and are some of the most talented group of tight ends Tampa has ever had. It will be fun to watch who ends up beating who out, and all of them, excluding Winslow, will most likely play on special teams. General Manager, Mark Dominik has said that he likes to use tight ends on special teams, and with the athletic group he has assembled, its easy to see why.