With the 233rd pick... The Arizona Cardinals select TE Jim Dray, Stanford

[Shogun]

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Release: Adequate quickness off the line when uncontested and strong enough to get past linebackers in his face. Doesn't accelerate past defenders, but his size gives him an automatic advantage downfield.

Hands: Excellent hands; catches the ball in front of him and rarely drops catchable passes. Has the flexibility to adjust to high and wide throws. Good concentration to catch balls in traffic and bring in balls over his shoulder.

Route running: Smooth enough a runner to make teams pay for not hitting him on the line of scrimmage. Uses head fake to shake off safeties when heading down the hash. Uses his body to shield defenders over the middle. Could sink his hips to be more sudden on routes.

After the catch: Bullish runner with the ball in his hands. Has some agility to get through traffic, but will not elude NFL defenders in space. Always lowers his pads for contact and falls forward to get extra yardage.

Blocking: Good pop and effort as a blocker in-line and on the move. Seals the edge well using his size and aggressive nature. Gets position on linebackers to wall them off the second level. Blocks with a narrow base when one-on-one; will lunge and lose his balance, allowing players to get off too often.

Intangibles: Worked very hard to return to the field after his knee injury. Gives full effort on the field whether running routes or blocking for the run game. Intelligent player.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/559806

 

[Chopper0080]

Don't we already have Anthony Becht on our roster?

 

[Shogun]

Overview

Dray is a good sized tight end, who needs to be brought in as a blocker first and a receiving threat second. He oozes off the line and builds to his speed when running downfield routes. He is athletic and has excellent ball skills but is not very quick or explosive in or out of his breaks and struggles to separate from defenders. He can read coverages and can be an effective zone receiver, but his best chance of making a team is if he adds even more power and strength and makes an impression as a blocker. Dray projects as a seventh-round pick or free-agent signing if not selected in this Aprils' draft.

Strengths

Dray is tall with a large frame and good bulk. Releases fast and clean off of the line and finds soft spots in zone coverage. Uses size to get between defenders and the ball to make catches in traffic. Maintains good footwork, takes good blocking angles and stays engaged to finish blocks.

Weaknesses

Limited athlete who stays too high and struggles to change direction and make cuts. Drops too many passes and is not explosive enough to stretch the field or make people miss after the catch. Missed significant time early in his career with a major knee injury.

Grade

2.0

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2010/profiles/jim-dray?id=497226#tabs:tab-analysis

 

[Shogun]

Overview

2 year starter who lost the 07 season to knee surgery. 11/149 3 TDs for 09 season.

Strengths

Solid pass catcher who flashes ability. Sound technique when he blocks and is able to block LBs well.

Weaknesses

Not much production. Limited athlete.

Projection

UDFA

http://cdsdraft.com/profile.php?id=4972

 

[Chopper0080]

"limited athlete" pretty much describes every TE on our roster.

 

[WarnerHOF]

"limited athlete" pretty much describes every TE on our roster.

Well it's obvious we are never going to have a Antonio Gates type TE ever on our roster.

 

[PoolBoy]

here comes the annual rip on our 7th rounder posts....

 

[Dr. Jones]

I am still trying to figure out how Colin Peek is not as good as this guy is.

Peek should have been the pick IMO.

Honestly though.... We didn't need a TE IMO.

 

[WildBB]

"limited athlete" pretty much describes every TE on our roster.

Well, Whis is the prototypical overachiever throughout his career. He wants the heir apparent.

 

[Dr. Jones]

here comes the annual rip on our 7th rounder posts....

If he passionately cries during his conference call I will take back my previous post.

 

[Buckybird]

Don't we already have Anthony Becht on our roster?

I think thats what this kid was taken for...his blocking

 

[WildBB]

here comes the annual rip on our 7th rounder posts....

I know, the 6th rounder nobody's heard of and they're ripping...and now with Mr. allmost irrelevant. Too funny.

 

[Goldfield]

"limited athlete" pretty much describes every TE on our roster.

You are soooo negative.

 

[WildBB]

If he passionately cries during his conference call I will take back my previous post.

Touche'

 

[Evil Ash]

I think thats what this kid was taken for...his blocking

Most likely

Dray has certainly proven he can come back from a major knee injury. He tore his ACL, PCL, LCL, hamstring, lateral band and posterior capsule while on punt coverage in a 2007 game against TCU. The injury resulted in two surgeries and caused him to miss significant time in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Dray worked his way back to full health and played in every game in 2009, earning second-team All-Pac-10 honors. His receiving totals - 11 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns as a senior - were modest, but his blocking is what earned him the accolades. Described as an "extra tackle" by his Stanford teammates, Dray uses his considerable size and strength to consistently push defenders off the ball. He gets off the line quickly, but doesn't run particularly fast to separate from defenders, making his size his best asset as a receiver as well as a blocker. A strong overall athlete, Dray's best chance to help an NFL team will be if he adds enough strength to make him a devastating blocking tight end. Otherwise, his pass-catching skills are limited. For that reason, he will be a late draft selection if he is drafted at all.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/draft/prospect?prospectId=322988

 

[Monty]

Very simply put i like the guy but think the pick should've been used on D.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Don't we already have Anthony Becht on our roster?

but he won't be on the team after this year. I'm sure Dray will be a PS guy this year and maybe take Becht's spot the following year.

 

[BW52]

As someone posted.Dray could be the blocking TE when Becht leaves or in the goal line set.I like the pick.Not flashy,just good solid football player.

 

[Shogun]

It's a seventh round pick.

Dray is a good blocker, all of the tight ends on the roster have one-year deals, and the Cardinals always try to draft one year ahead.

 

[D-Dogg]

If Beanie loves the pick, I'm all good with it.

Hope this kid's blocking is very good, because that's what he's been drafted for.

 

[az jam]

Blocking TE is what Whisenhunt likes. Agree with Cbus that he is potentially Becht's replacement.

 

[TJ]

Sig update

 

[Mitch]

Sig update

Great stuff, TJ!

 

[Chopper0080]

Blocking TE is what Whisenhunt likes. Agree with Cbus that he is potentially Becht's replacement.

Super, I am so glad that we put a priority in replacing our older, un-athletic TE's with other younger, un-athletic TE's.

 

[Red Dawn]

CBS quote from post #1 above:

Hands: Excellent hands; catches the ball in front of him and rarely drops catchable passes. Has the flexibility to adjust to high and wide throws. Good concentration to catch balls in traffic and bring in balls over his shoulder.

NFL.com quote from post #3 above:

Weaknesses: "...Drops too many passes...."

I guess the truth is somewhere in between.