7th: Ben Patrick TE

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After four seasons at Duke, including three with the varsity as an H-back, Patrick decided to transfer to the University of Delaware for his final college season in 2006. As a Blue Devil, Patrick never had a quality quarterback to get the ball to him, and his decision to transfer proved to be a wise move as he went on to lead all Division 1AA tight ends in receiving as a senior.

At Jenkins High School, Patrick was rated the 15th-best tight end prospect in the country by Rivals.com. He was rated the second-best tight and 41st-best overall prospect in the state of Georgia by Super Prep. The Georgia High School Coaches Association named him the Southeast Georgia Player of the Year in 2001, as he also garnered all-city and All-Southeast Region accolades from Super Prep.

The team's Most Valuable Player competed as a quarterback, tight end, linebacker and punter in 2001. He led the team in passing yards, receptions and tackles that season. Patrick also lettered in baseball and basketball.

Patrick enrolled at Duke in 2002, spending the season on the scout team adjusting to playing tight end. In 2003, he was a third-team Freshman All-American selection by The Sporting News. He appeared in 10 games, starting against North Carolina. The redshirt freshman finished fifth on the team with 17 catches for 218 yards (12.8 avg.) and one touchdown. He was named a co-recipient of the team's inaugural Challenge Award.

In 2004, Patrick started six of 11 games at H-back. The team captain became only the third tight end in 30 seasons to lead the team in receptions, catching 32 passes for 311 yards (9.7 avg.) and a touchdown. In 2005, he started eight of 10 games, leading the team for the second consecutive year with 252 yards on 30 catches (8.4 avg.).

Patrick transferred to Delaware for the 2006 season. For the third time in his career, he led his team in receptions and also led the Division 1-AA tight ends with a career-high 64 catches for 639 yards (10.0 avg.) and six touchdowns.

In 31 games at Duke, Patrick started 15 times. He gained 781 yards with two touchdowns on 79 catches (9.9 avg.) and also recorded one solo tackle. For his collegiate career, Patrick started 24 of 42 games. He caught 143 passes for 1,420 yards (10.3 avg.), including eight touchdowns.


ANALYSIS
Positives: Has a thick frame with adequate muscle tone, smooth skin, good chest and arm thickness, good bubble, big shoulders and good upper body muscles with a frame that could carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk … Compensates for a lack of speed with good balance and body control through his route progression … Has good balance with the ball in his hands, running with a normal stride … His body control, hand/eye coordination and large hands will generally see him catch most balls away from his frame … His hands and size give quarterbacks a good short-area target, as he can bounce off defenders … Knows how to use his size and reach to get a clean push off the jam and is too big for second-level defenders to attempt to try and reroute him … Best when sitting down underneath … Knows how to use his body to push and leverage defenders and while no explosion is evident, he does a good job of using his frame to shield the ball from defenders … When he uses his body and squares his shoulders, Anderson is a load to bring down in isolated coverage … Won't win any foot races, so he has to use his power base to break tackles … Has good balance and body lean to gain valid yardage after the catch … Too stiff to extend and reach for the ball at its high point, but does have the ability to look the ball in and catch away from the frame … Does a good job of squaring his shoulders after the catch and has the functional flexibility (yet has stiff hips), to turn and run with the ball … Might show some flinch working in a crowd, but he has no problems catching outside his frame … Gets most of his separation by squaring his shoulders and generating the leg drive to break tackles.

Negatives: Methodical mover who lacks suddenness or good timed speed, but is effective getting a clean release and into his routes when working in the short area … Despite his size, Patrick is more of a finesse type who will shy away from contact, especially when asked to block … Has good strength, but seems to lack the desire to sustain and defenders can push him back into the pocket, making him a liability in pass protection … Lacks the quick-twitch moves or second gear to get into his routes quickly … Labors when running longer routes and is better served working in the short area over the middle than having him attack the second level … Doesn't have the speed to separate or the loose hips to elude … Has good hand/eye coordination, but seems to back off confrontations in a crowd … Has the upper body strength to make reach blocks or neutralize linebackers at the second level, but lacks the lower body strength and hand placement to lock on and sustain when blocking along the line … Gets too narrow in his stance and lacks good footwork in his kick slide.

Compares To: Mike Seidman-Carolina … Patrick is a very inviting short-area target with natural hands and the size to shield the ball from defenders … He lacks good technique and urgency as a blocker, and does not have the valid speed to be a vertical threat … He is best when used on controlled or underneath routes, as he shows good ball security.


INJURY REPORT
2003: Sat out the Florida State (9/27) and Maryland (10/11) games with a leg contusion.

2005: Did not play vs. Virginia Military Institute (9/17) with an unconfirmed foot sprain.

2006: Limited in August camp with a foot sprain.


AGILITY TESTS
Campus: 4.88 seconds in the 40-yard dash … 405-pound bench press … 560-pound squat … 32 3/8-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands.


HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Jenkins (Savannah, Ga.) High School, playing football for head coach Rick Bond … Rated the 15th-best tight end prospect in the country by Rivals.com … Rated the second-best tight and 41st-best overall prospect in the state of Georgia by Super Prep … The Georgia High School Coaches Association named him the Southeast Georgia Player of the Year in 2001, as he also garnered all-city and All-Southeast Region accolades from Super Prep … The team's Most Valuable Player competed as a quarterback, tight end, linebacker and punter in 2001 … Led the team in passing yards, receptions and tackles that season … Also lettered in baseball and basketball.


PERSONAL
African/African American Studies major … Son of Jacqueline and Freddie Patrick, Sr … Brother, Freddie, Jr., played football at Chattanooga from 1995-98 and earned GTE Academic All-District honors … Born Aug. 23, 1984 … Resides in Savannah, Ga.
 

azwulf

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a good pick.

Now we need some CB as UDFA and have all positions adressed.
 
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CtCardinals78

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Washington took Tyler Ecker - TE / Mich. the next pick. Anyone care to compare the two?
I'm surpised we didn't take him since we drafted all of Michigan the last two years! Just kidding.
 

WildBB

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Quote:
Despite his size, Patrick is more of a finesse type who will shy away from contact, especially when asked to block … Has good strength, but seems to lack the desire to sustain and defenders can push him back into the pocket.

Not really what we're looking for at that position. Apparently not alot of other teams as well. Sic 'em Grimm. :p
 

jw7

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The team's Most Valuable Player competed as a quarterback, tight end, linebacker and punter in 2001.

Fit that guy for a helmet with one-bar.

OK, the "one-bar" jokes are kind of worn out, but I still find them funny.
 

ajcardfan

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Quote:
Despite his size, Patrick is more of a finesse type who will shy away from contact, especially when asked to block … Has good strength, but seems to lack the desire to sustain and defenders can push him back into the pocket.

Not really what we're looking for at that position. Apparently not alot of other teams as well. Sic 'em Grimm. :p

Nah... we need another TE with pass catching skills too. It's not like Pope set the world on fire last year. This was probably the weakest position on the team going into the draft.
 

Goldfield

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Doesnt sound like a good blocker. But seems to be good value...
 

BullheadCardFan

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Nice way to finish up the draft ... but Patrick is not a strong blocker .. we should be bringing at least one undrafted TE that is known as a blocker ...
 

vinnymac

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I like this pick as well. Mike Maylock had him rated as the 3rd best tight end in the draft. One thing you do know the cardinals didn't reach for any of their picks. All in all the cardinals had a pretty good draft. At least I like it.
 

PJ1

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I like this pick as well. Mike Maylock had him rated as the 3rd best tight end in the draft. One thing you do know the cardinals didn't reach for any of their picks. All in all the cardinals had a pretty good draft. At least I like it.

Agreed. Saw him rated as the third best TE in draft in other publications also.

Solid pick for 7th round.
 

BullheadCardFan

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Washington took Tyler Ecker - TE / Mich. the next pick. Anyone care to compare the two?

Ben Patrick is rated the #3 TE in the draft according to nfldraftcountdown ..

Ecker is ranked #19 ...



Ben Patrick
Tight End | Senior | Delaware
Height: 6-31/8 | Weight: 252 | 40-Time: 4.74

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Strengths:
Has adequate size and bulk...Smooth athlete who moves like a wideout...He has terrific hands and will make the spectacular grab...Can do some damage after the catch...Shows great ball skills...Versatile and can be used in a number of different ways...Runs good routes and knows how to get open...He gives great effort as a blocker and excels in space...Smart...Appears to possess exceptional intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Timed speed and quickness are only average...Plays like a smaller guy and is not as physical or aggressive as you'd like to see...Production was solid but not great until he was going up against inferior competition...He won't physically overpower defenders as a blocker so he has to be technically sound & use proper leverage.

Notes:
Played the first three years of his career at Duke and actually graduated before transferring down a level...Was a consensus first team All-American in 2006...An underrated prospect who just may be a hidden gem in a weak crop of seniors at his position...One of the best all-around tight ends in this draft when it comes to catching and blocking...Absolutely has the talent to be a starter at the next level.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Tyler Ecker
Tight End | Senior | Michigan
Height: 6-61/8 | Weight: 246 | 40-Time: 4.91

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Strengths:
Has a good frame and there is room to add weight...Excellent hands...Knows how to get open...Hard worker with a good motor...Will high point balls...Still has some upside...Real nice body control and ball skills...He's naturally athletic...Aggressive.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the ideal bulk that you look for...Needs to get stronger...Was not very productive...Provides little in terms of running after the catch...He is not fast, quick or explosive...Lacks a burst...Older than most prospects...Average blocker.

Notes:
Took a redshirt in 2000 and then he left school for two years to serve a Mormon mission...Was not given many opportunities to shine in the Wolverine offense...A bit of a sleeper...Hails from a program known for sending tight ends to the pros.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/te/tylerecker.html
 

WildBB

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Again, why the slide on him? Day 2 TE picks ahead of him. Round 4) Chandler and Milner. Round 5) Boss,Rosario and Delek. Round 6) None.

I like that there was no one selected at the pos. for 40 picks before we took him. Again, why?
 
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