Hawkscanner
New member
Looking at this draft class as a whole, it's not a good year for Tight Ends as a whole. That said, there is one name that come late in the draft (5th to 7th Round range) I think could potentially be quite intriguing for the Seahawks. While most people on this board have been focused on the likes of Tyler Higbee, I’d like to suggest another name (and one whom I believe more dovetails with what the Hawks actually need) -- Harvard TE Ben Braunecker.
He's one that's not been talked about whatsoever, but I just wonder whether or not his skillset might intrigue Schneider enough to take a flyer on him if he's still there in the 6th or 7th Round. Why do I say that? Consider this ...
When you take a look at the overall Tight End position on the Seahawks, what is it that they really need? What they really could use is a guy who is an athletic, physical, good inline blocker. And that is exactly what Ben Braunecker brings to the table. Here is Braunecker's scouting report from NFL.com ...
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/ben-braunecker?id=2555482
Schneider and company love athletic players ... and Braunecker was one of the top overall performers among TE's at the Combine. While some of his numbers don’t readily leap off the page like Seattle’s other 2 SPARQ Supermen, others compare quite favorably ...
[tdo=9]Ben Braunecker’s Measureables vs. Luke Willson and Jimmy Graham[/tdo]
To further put some of those numbers in to perspective, here’s how some of the wide receivers did at the combine …
3 Cone Drill
Tyler Boyd … 6.90 sec.
Will Fuller … 6.93 sec.
Malcolm Mitchell … 6.94sec.
Sterling Shepherd … 7.00 sec.
Kenny Lawler … 7.13 sec.
20 Yard Shuttle
Kenny Lawler … 4.20 sec.
Will Fuller … 4.27 sec.
Tyler Boyd … 4.35 sec.
Sterling Shepherd … 4.35 sec.
Vertical Jump
Leonte Carroo … 35.5”
Michael Thomas … 35.0”
Braxton Miller … 35.0”
Tyler Boyd … 34.0”
Will Fuller … 33.5”
Laquon Treadwell … 33.0”
This short video underscores that athleticism Braunecker has and his ability to go up and get the ball …
[youtube]1S2sih-ihr8[/youtube]
Here is some Highlight Film of Braunecker and Harvard vs. Yale this year …
[youtube]DbsvWvhnt-U[/youtube]
Positives:
He’s athletic
At 6’3” and 250 pounds, he has good size
Has 32 ¾” arms (so he passes the Seahawk test there)
Is physical and a good blocker (most important trait of why I believe Seattle could be attracted to him)
Has great leaping ability
Good quickness and change of direction
Appears to have good hands
NFL Draft Scout.com adds …
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1994904/ben-braunecker
Negatives
Basically question marks exist about the level of competition Braunecker was dominating. Will he have the same level of success once he’s playing with the big boys?
Why might Braunecker be a fit for the Seahawks?
Braunecker could offer intriguing value at an apparently low sticker price. The Seahawks have been in need of a good physical blocking TE with a nasty streak for the past couple of years. That is exactly what Braunecker appears to be. Not only that, he has good athleticism, quickness, soft hands, and a knack for getting open. He would seem to be a natural fit on goal line packages or in pass protection situations where the Hawks anticipate a heavy pass rush. If John Schneider and company determine that he can do the same thing he did at Harvard at the Pro Level, then Braunecker becomes an intriguing prospect if he’s still available late in the draft. Even if he does turn out to be a bit rough around the edges as a receiver, what better teacher could he have than Jimmy Graham to show him the tricks of the trade? Could Braunecker end up being just another Mark LeGree (a small school prospect who absolutely dominated inferior competition, but ultimately fizzles when put up against the big boys)? Absolutely he could be. Misses can and do occur all the time in the NFL. But when we’re talking about picks towards the back end of the draft, these are exactly the kind of prospects you take a flier on. Just another name to file away in the old the memory banks come draft day.
He's one that's not been talked about whatsoever, but I just wonder whether or not his skillset might intrigue Schneider enough to take a flyer on him if he's still there in the 6th or 7th Round. Why do I say that? Consider this ...
When you take a look at the overall Tight End position on the Seahawks, what is it that they really need? What they really could use is a guy who is an athletic, physical, good inline blocker. And that is exactly what Ben Braunecker brings to the table. Here is Braunecker's scouting report from NFL.com ...
Source:Strengths: Physical and mean as a blocker. Plays with good knee bend and hip explosion as inline blocker. Blocks to and thru the whistle and completely overwhelmed many of his opponents. Accelerates into routes with good push and is able to sink and cut with sharpness. Effective route adjustment against contact downfield. Understands how to use leverage to create space in his routes. Carries himself with some attitude.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/ben-braunecker?id=2555482
Schneider and company love athletic players ... and Braunecker was one of the top overall performers among TE's at the Combine. While some of his numbers don’t readily leap off the page like Seattle’s other 2 SPARQ Supermen, others compare quite favorably ...
Name | 40 Yard Dash | Bench Press #reps of 225 lbs | Vertical Jump | Broad Jump | 3 Cone Drill | 20 Yd. Shuttle | 60 Yard Shuttle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Braunecker | 4.73 sec | 20 | 35.5” | 121.0” | 6.90 sec | 4.20 sec | 11.32 sec |
Luke Willson | 4.51 sec | 23 | 38” | 122” | 7.04 sec | 4.29 sec | NA |
Jimmy Graham | 4.56 sec | 15 | 38.5” | 120” | 6.90 sec | 4.39 sec | NA |
To further put some of those numbers in to perspective, here’s how some of the wide receivers did at the combine …
3 Cone Drill
Tyler Boyd … 6.90 sec.
Will Fuller … 6.93 sec.
Malcolm Mitchell … 6.94sec.
Sterling Shepherd … 7.00 sec.
Kenny Lawler … 7.13 sec.
20 Yard Shuttle
Kenny Lawler … 4.20 sec.
Will Fuller … 4.27 sec.
Tyler Boyd … 4.35 sec.
Sterling Shepherd … 4.35 sec.
Vertical Jump
Leonte Carroo … 35.5”
Michael Thomas … 35.0”
Braxton Miller … 35.0”
Tyler Boyd … 34.0”
Will Fuller … 33.5”
Laquon Treadwell … 33.0”
This short video underscores that athleticism Braunecker has and his ability to go up and get the ball …
[youtube]1S2sih-ihr8[/youtube]
Here is some Highlight Film of Braunecker and Harvard vs. Yale this year …
[youtube]DbsvWvhnt-U[/youtube]
Positives:
He’s athletic
At 6’3” and 250 pounds, he has good size
Has 32 ¾” arms (so he passes the Seahawk test there)
Is physical and a good blocker (most important trait of why I believe Seattle could be attracted to him)
Has great leaping ability
Good quickness and change of direction
Appears to have good hands
NFL Draft Scout.com adds …
Source:STRENGTHS: Ideal size, length and good speed for the position. Has soft hands and runs good routes. Shows that he's an above average athlete with the ball in his hands, and is often tough to bring down in space as he runs with some pretty good power.
Can find the soft spots in a defense versus zone. Has good concentration and shows a good catch radius for his quarterback. Against man coverage, he has the ability to create separation and get open.
Solid blocker in the Ivy League. Comes off the ball well, shows toughness and the ability to steer lineman.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1994904/ben-braunecker
Negatives
Basically question marks exist about the level of competition Braunecker was dominating. Will he have the same level of success once he’s playing with the big boys?
Why might Braunecker be a fit for the Seahawks?
Braunecker could offer intriguing value at an apparently low sticker price. The Seahawks have been in need of a good physical blocking TE with a nasty streak for the past couple of years. That is exactly what Braunecker appears to be. Not only that, he has good athleticism, quickness, soft hands, and a knack for getting open. He would seem to be a natural fit on goal line packages or in pass protection situations where the Hawks anticipate a heavy pass rush. If John Schneider and company determine that he can do the same thing he did at Harvard at the Pro Level, then Braunecker becomes an intriguing prospect if he’s still available late in the draft. Even if he does turn out to be a bit rough around the edges as a receiver, what better teacher could he have than Jimmy Graham to show him the tricks of the trade? Could Braunecker end up being just another Mark LeGree (a small school prospect who absolutely dominated inferior competition, but ultimately fizzles when put up against the big boys)? Absolutely he could be. Misses can and do occur all the time in the NFL. But when we’re talking about picks towards the back end of the draft, these are exactly the kind of prospects you take a flier on. Just another name to file away in the old the memory banks come draft day.