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Biggest Draft Day Busts: Worst Tight Ends By David Levin April 26, 2014 6:49 am
The use of the tight end as a primary target in an offense is en vogue again in the NFL. The large option on the outside isn’t just being used as a third tackle on the offensive line, rather the huge red zone target and the hands across the middle in the end zone. It could be argued that a solid tight end with soft hands that can move the chains on third down is more important in the pass-happy NFL than a bell cow running back that will share the load with two other runners on offense.Finding a solid tight end to balance the receivers on the field, possibly picking up a blitzing linebacker and then making the catch is hard to find. While there are hits like Vernon Davis or Keith Jackson, there have been plenty of misses.Here is a look at five of the biggest busts at the position in NFL Draft history.Kellen WinslowHe was supposed to be as good, if not better than all other Miami Hurricanes tight ends and even better than his father, Kellen Winslow, Sr. Remember how his father was not happy with his choice to go to The U? Maybe Daddy knew something all of us did not know. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the sixth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, and the New England Patriots. If you are that good, you go not play for several teams. In nine seasons, he has 469 receptions.Alge CrumplerYes he went to the Pro Bowl four times, but in 10 seasons, Crumpler, a second-round pick of the Falcons, played for three teams. The North Carolina Tar Heels player had deceptive speed and quickness and was am solid receiver in the Michael Vick-run Falcons offense, but he could have done more with his skills. His 373 receptions in 10 seasons says he needed to be better.Joe KlopfensteinThe former second round draft pick of St. Louis, he played four seasons in the NFL. In those four NFL seasons, Joe Klopfenstein has 34 receptions for 397 yards (11.7 average) and 2 touchdowns. He also played for the Bills before his career ended.Zach MillerAnother one of those players who the Oakland Raiders thought would materialize into a superstar. He has a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks from last season, but he is anything but a journeyman. While he did play in the 2010 Pro Bowl, he is nothing more than a true blocking tight end.Bubba FranksA huge target at 6’6”, he only had 262 catches in nine seasons in the NFL. Franks broke down at the end of his career with injuries. Maybe it is the Miami Hurricanes connection, but another tight end from south Florida who should have been much better than he was. After a promising but unspectacular rookie season, he reached the Pro Bowl his second NFL year, during which he caught nine touchdown passes. Franks went to three Pro Bowls altogether (2001, 2002, and 2003). He missed much of the 2005 season with knee and neck injuries. In 2008, Franks was released by the Packers after an unproductive and injury plagued 2007 season in which he was demoted to second string TE behind Donald Lee. He played for the Jets that seasonhttp://www.footballnation.com/content/biggest-draft-day-busts-worst-tight-ends/29231/ -
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