Originally Posted by :
The former all-state pick from Massachusetts played quarterback his junior year at Leominster High School. He started once in 12 appearances as a sophomore (20 receptions, 234 yards, 11.7 average, one touchdown) and also contributed in 13 games as a reserve (five receptions, 37 yards, two touchdowns) his first year in Durham. Gray stepped into the NFL draft spotlight as a junior, garnering second-team All-ACC honors by leading the Blue Devils in receptions and finishing among the top FBS tight ends with 51 catches for 392 yards (7.7 per) and three scores. The 2020 team captain played in 10 games with nine starts as a senior (29 receptions, 285 yards, 9.8 average, two touchdowns), becoming the school's all-time leading receiver at tight end. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
Gray understands leverage and how to create some tilt in coverage but doesn't have play speed or separation burst to do enough with it. While he's not going to have the size or strength to block defenders when firing off the ball, he has enough athleticism and grit to offer some assistance as a move blocker from the slot or wing position. He has late-round potential and could find a team fit as a TE3/4. Strengths
Team captain.
Helps out in pass protection with decent mirror and technique.
Will stick and sustain as a slot blocker.
Reads the track properly when asked to lead block.
Slick footwork and leverage in his routes.
Ability to run more complex routes underneath.
Spins open suddenly in space against zone.
Sharp angles out of his turns.
Adjustment and focus to bring the throw in.
Weaknesses
Just nine yards per reception during career.
Thin through waist and hips with lean lower body.
Lacks threatening vertical push off the line.
Moves well but doesn't separate much.
Might not have ability to attack the seam.
Lacks agility on the move when working at the second level.
Gets overtaken by force at point of attack as blocker.
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
Heh. Posted this in the other thread, but we'll probably only keep 9 OL, and that should cover the extra TE spot.
We kept 4 TEs last year until Fortson went down.
Some position group is going to go light. Will it be OT or defensive line? Heard a blurb about how they're lining Mike Danna up on the inside, could it mean they're looking to maximize players that can play multiple positions in order to keep skill guys on board for special teams (and Mahomes, obv)? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bowser:
Some position group is going to go light. Will it be OT or defensive line? Heard a blurb about how they're lining Mike Danna up on the inside, could it mean they're looking to maximize players that can play multiple positions in order to keep skill guys on board for special teams (and Mahomes, obv)?
It will probably be OL, since the bottom rung is where we have fewer good players.
I don't see how you cut down to less than 4 DTs (Jones, Nnadi, Wharton, and one of Saunders/Stallworth) and DE now has the same issue. Danna experimenting with snaps on the inside doesn't change that you need actual legit girth there since one of those guys, Wharton, is already undersized.
Again, we started the season last year with OBJ/Thuney/Humphrey/Smith/Niang and had Remmers, Allegretti, Blythe, LDT, and Wylie in reserve. That's 10 guys. Even if we roll out a starting 5 plus Allegretti, Reiter, Kinnard, and one of the slapdick brothers at OT, that's still an extra spot for a 4th RB.
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
It will probably be OL, since the bottom rung is where we have fewer good players.
I don't see how you cut down to less than 4 DTs (Jones, Nnadi, Wharton, and one of Saunders/Stallworth) and DE now has the same issue. Danna experimenting with snaps on the inside doesn't change that you need actual legit girth there since one of those guys, Wharton, is already undersized.
Again, we started the season last year with OBJ/Thuney/Humphrey/Smith/Niang and had Remmers, Allegretti, Blythe, LDT, and Wylie in reserve. That's 10 guys. Even if we roll out a starting 5 plus Allegretti, Reiter, Kinnard, and one of the slapdick brothers at OT, that's still an extra spot for a 4th RB.
We good .
It's going to be very interesting at DL position especially with Danna, because of the Dunlap signing [Reply]
Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare:
It's going to be very interesting at DL position especially with Danna, because of the Dunlap signing
Not this shit again.
Kaindoh and Herring have done diddly squat shit, man. At this point I don't even know if EITHER of them make the roster. I predict one of them will, but not both.
Danna's situation isn't interesting. He's staying. Clark, Dunlap, Karlaftis, Danna. There's your four guaranteed, and MAYBE one of Kaindoh/Herring. [Reply]
Getting more and more involved and becoming a legit option for Patrick. Made a couple big plays for us last night. Gray is progressing nicely and seems to be developing into a player that we definitely want to re-sign when that time comes. [Reply]
Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks:
Getting more and more involved and becoming a legit option for Patrick. Made a couple big plays for us last night. Gray is progressing nicely and seems to be developing into a player that we definitely want to re-sign when that time comes.
That catch was awesome.
Reid commented in his presser today about how impressed he is with Gray as a blocker.
If he can develop into a Blake Bell-level blocker, but also a solid receiver, then that’s a damn good player to have on your roster. A perfect TE2. [Reply]
Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks:
Getting more and more involved and becoming a legit option for Patrick. Made a couple big plays for us last night. Gray is progressing nicely and seems to be developing into a player that we definitely want to re-sign when that time comes.
Someone on here (Read: Me) was noting last season how much more involved he was getting as the season wore on and into the playoffs. He wasn't getting all the catches, but he was getting some pretty important reps at important times.
Gray just keeps getting better. I wonder when the a) trade Gray or b) draft a TE high groups will figure that out. [Reply]
