STRENGTHS
Michael has the size to be a solid Tight End for the team that selects him. He has a lot of production at the college level and if you make him a part of your passing offense he can be as productive. He is a red-zone target because of his size and bulk. When he is lined up on the outside it becomes a big problem for college defensive backs to match up with him. Michael has been the benefit of an offensive system that at times, lines up in two and sometimes with three TE’s allowing him to come off the line free and get into his routes. He has been an impact player for his college team.
CONCERNS
Michael has a lot of production and has played a lot so it surprises me that he is not a very good blocker in space or lining up on the line. He shows a lack of hand strength and fixability and passion to make blocks which surprises me. For his size he is not a very strong blocker. Michael runs his routes in a rudimentary fashion. He expects the ball to come to him and doesn’t seem to be on the same wavelength or read defenses to cut off routes and help his quarterback in adverse situations. When used in the backfield on passing downs he lines up off the line so that he gets a free release and that helps him to be open. His lack of strong hands is an issue when catching balls and in run-after-the-catch situations and will result in drop passes and fumbles. Michael lacks the speed and quickness off the snap and running his routes, that you would expect, from a player with his production.
BOTTOM LINE: 3.67
I know everyone but me, seems to think that Michael will be an impact player at the next level like he was at the college level. I don’t see anything in his overall game that makes me think that’s possible except for his pass-catching production. Unless an NFL team decides to use the same offense that Notre Dame uses and decides to focus the passing game on its TE’s I don’t see that happening. Michael doesn’t run routes very well, doesn’t have strong hands to catch the ball, lacks speed, and overall is not that good a blocker. I watch the Ohio State game and he’s missing blocks or being overwhelmed most of the game. When he is lined up on the outside he runs his routes but I don’t see any quickness off the line or in his breaks to make me think he will be open at the next level. He is a target in the red zone for sure, but he will be up against more physical play, and holding on to the ball can become a bigger issue because of the lack of strength in his hands. Can Michal become the impact player that he is at the college level at the next level? Absolutely, nevertheless selecting him too early in this draft and expecting that to happen before he builds up his overall strength, runs better routes, blocks better, and holds on to the ball, is a lot to ask of him.
