STRENGTHS
Tip reminds me a lot of former Cowboys Tight End Jason Witten. He is a 6’5” 270 lbs, in NFL football shape, blocking Tight End. He also is an excellent blocking Tight End in space, with the hands to catch anything thrown to him at any place on the field. His combine numbers are equal to both Jason and Rob Gronkowski but Tip, is bigger, just as fast, quick, and as athletic. Tip has good feet and excellent balance and is one of the best technique blockers among the Tight Ends and Offensive linemen in this draft. Tip’s lack of offensive production in the passing game is related to the fact that he is such an excellent blocker but trust me, the talent to impact is there, and just waiting to be used. Tip shows leadership skills through his play on the field and he is my sleeper Tight End pick in this underrated and talented group of Tight Ends in this draft.
CONCERNS
Tip’s is being considered by most, as just a blocking Tight End because that’s how his college team used him. I don’t blame teams for thinking he can only block with stats like 19 rec – 203 yds – 3 TD’s.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.42
I watch game films. I’m watching Illinois defense and suddenly on offense, I start to see Tip and how well he is blocking. It was impressive. I’m thinking Tip looks about 250 lbs and very athletic so I take note and then forget about him. I’m watching the combine and because of his name (Tip), I see he is 270 lbs and in great shape, and once again I make note of it. Then once again because of his name (Tip), he runs the gauntlet and I see a fluid, athletic player with great hands, and once again…I take note. So, I go back to the film…wondering about Tip. I see him blocking once again, and I’m so impressed with his blocking, I’m thinking what the Hell, Tip is a late-round pick just based on his ability to block. Then, I look at his production and I say to myself, it’s a good thing this kid can block. But then I get this nagging in my head saying wait, he showed up as too could an athlete to not be part of the passing game so I go to some highlights. I thought the highlights would just be more blocking but no, I saw a smooth, quick, fast, burst after the catch, a player catching balls with ease and making yardage, and that’s when it dawned on me that Tip’s ability to be such a good blocker has affected this team and coach’s ability to use him in the passing game, and that was a big mistake by this coaching staff. Even his teammates were smart enough to realize that Tip was giving up being a focal point of the offense and voted him captain. Tip knows this and that’s why he is coming out early. After all, he is smart and doesn’t want to stay in a program that doesn’t recognize and use all of his talents. Tip will not be selected early in this draft because he’s been labeled as just, a blocking Tight End but he is so much more than that. Think Jason Witten.
