Chargers Draft - Community Grades: Dedrick Epps
by John Gennaro on Apr 26, 2010 8:41 AM PDT
in NFL Draft
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PrintWelcome to today's first installment of Community Grades for the San Diego Chargers picks in the 2010 NFL Draft. We're going to start from the bottom and work our way up, and you'll be able to grade each pick and let the Bolts' front office know if you agree or disagree with the athletes they selected.
First up is the Chargers' 7th round draft pick, a two-year starting TE from the University of Miami, Dedrick Epps. Epps has ideal size for a Tight End and shows tremendous blocking technique. He has very good instincts as a pass-catcher, and good hands, but is a step or two slower than the NFL's elite TEs.
The biggest knock on Dedrick is a lack of strength, both as a blocker and as a receiver trying to get by defenders at the line-of-scrimmage. In the NFL, he will have all the tools in the world available to him to help him get stronger and improve his game.
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B
Solid pick. We need a third stringer and potential developmental player here. If he makes the team, it will be a success.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 26, 2010 8:51 AM PDT reply actions
historically
AJ has had good luck in the 7th round: 2009 Demetrius Byrd, 2008 Corey Clark, 2007 Brandon Siler, 2006 Chase Page, Jimmy Martin, 2005 Scott Mruczkowski, 2004 Ryon Bingham, Shane Olivea, Carlos Joseph, 2003 Andrew Pinnock
thats a pretty good hit rate for the 7th round.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 26, 2010 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions
B
Given what was available and our need for a third TE, it made sense at the time.
He seems to be pretty average. Average size, speed, blocking, receiving. But he does show above average effort, so that’s a plus.
I don’t expect much out of him, but if he does develop it will be a nice bonus.
D.... Not sure how I bash the selection, but not bash Epps
I hope Epps finds a place on the team. I just don’t think TE was the Chargers greatest position need. I fact I think we were very solid at TE.
AJ addressed must of my concerns with the UDFA position selections, we’ll just have to see how it works out.
at that pont in the draft
I wonder how much the picks are motivated by who they think they won’t be able to sign as a UDFA. Perhaps we had bigger needs elsewhere, but we were pretty sure they would sign with us as a UDFA, while 3rd string TE is less of a need, but Epps or his agent had indicated he was going somewhere else if not drafted. Just speculatin on my part.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 26, 2010 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think I read somewhere...
AJ saying he likes to use the 7th round to bring in any UDFA that they think they might not be able to sign.
by Its Mikey!! on Apr 26, 2010 9:44 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Seriously
We had two we needed a 3rd. At that point in the draft that was the only position that you actually truly needed because you had 2 rostered TEs, but required 3. Every other position you’d be a drafting a guy that at best would have to compete for a roster spot.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Apr 26, 2010 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Rec.
We’re going to miss Brandon Manumaleuna this year. I mean, it’s good that they made a move to replace him, as we’ve been missing Manu’s peak for some time. I give this pick a B. In fact, I think I’d have to give every pick a B or better. That, and the lack of immediate problems on this team, leaves me high on this draft.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 26, 2010 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
I have no idea if this guy is any good at all. So I cant grade the player, but the pick makes absolute sense positional wise. Our 3rd TE needs to come from somewhere, so drafting one at the bottom of the draft as well as taking a couple undrafted TE prospects makes good sense to me
IMO
Can Epps play Center too?
Or how about Right Tackle?
by Trendsearcher on Apr 26, 2010 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
No
But, no one in the 7th round was going to beat out Clary, Dombo, Hardwick or Mooch anyway.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Apr 26, 2010 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Apparently
A TE that could also play RT and C.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Apr 26, 2010 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Wonko I'd like you to recall this bash
When Nick Hardwick goes down to injury again next year.
BTW there is such a thing as collegial differences of opinion. Try it some time.
by Trendsearcher on Apr 26, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Was it a bash?
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
How many TE’s do you know of that can also play interior line?
by Trendsearcher on Apr 26, 2010 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Exactly.
You were the one that asked if Epps could play C and RT. See, get why it’s funny now?
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Apr 26, 2010 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I know at least one TE that might be able to play RT/C
but we just shipped him off to the Bears :(
by SoCalBoltFan on Apr 26, 2010 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
He left on his own.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 26, 2010 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I have no problem with the pick
but Epps will have to fight for a roster spot in camp, in my opinion, just like any other position that they would have drafted.
Fair enough
But he’ll fighting against UDFAs whereas others would have been fighting against veterans.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
It appears to be the case
do you know anything about the TE Dajleon Farr. It says that he is from memphis and they signed him today.
Not much
I know that he transferred from Miami (where Epps went) to Memphis. He only caught 14 balls for Memphis. CBS Draft Scout.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
B
He doesn’t need to catch anything. Wilson and Gates are proficient in that. Chargers needed a blocking TE and from what I’ve read he’s an above average blocker with a nasty streak.
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken"- Colonel Sanders
Sounds like a guy that’s had great coaching (everything I’ve read about him says he has great blocking technique) but is being held back by his physical tools. Hopefully an NFL-level strength and conditioning program can help a bit but even then, I feel like there’s only so much that the team can do to elevate his game.
I feel like the ideal late-round pick is a guy with great physical tools who is willing and motivated but has been held back because of coaching or the system (i.e. Jonathan Crompton with all the physical and mental ability but held back by having to change systems almost every year).
I guess what I’m saying is that Epps doesn’t look like the guy with the best upside or potential. Best of luck to him though, because now that he’s a Charger I’m rooting for him regardless.
He's a blocking TE with no chance to start, ever!
If he had tremendous potential, this is the last place he’d want to go. You want a contributor, a guy who can show up and throw a block. We have an iconic TE we’re trying to ride into the HOF; if we find we have a star-in-waiting, all we can do is trade him for peanuts relative to his actual value, even if it’s a lot more than we paid.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 26, 2010 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
we have our two TE sets on the field a lot of the time
It’s one of Norv’s favorite sets. He might not technically be starting, but our #2 TE is on the field for a bunch of plays. Check out Manu’s play counts from last year. He is on the field almost half the time. That’s the reason why we need 3TEs, so if one gets hurt, we can still run out of a two TE set.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 26, 2010 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
No disagreement there.
We need a guy who can come in and contribute now. We don’t care if he never turns into a superstar, because we never intend to give him a chance to turn into a superstar. In the 7th round, you can take a flyer on a guy with big upside and a high bust factor, or you can take a guy that you think will probably be able to contribute now, but will never be the man. This was the right option.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 26, 2010 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
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