Lee Smith, New England Patriots, 159th Pick, 5th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Smith, Lee Marshall 6057 266 5.01

Three-year starter who is a run blocking tight end with some short area receiving skills. Catches the ball well in his soft hands. His likely role on the next level will be as an inline blocker in short yardage and running downs. Has the ability and size to dive block one on one. Functional strength. Solid combo blocker. Productive and aggressive. Will position and screen off defender. Has enough foot quickness to execute a power reach block and turn the outside shoulder of the linebacker upfield. Plays with good power base and balance. A short area receiver with the ability to adjust to an off target pass. Can catch the ball in a crowd. Not a deep threat. A competitor who runs hard after catch. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Luke Stocker & D.J.Williams plus other TE notes

Ourlads take on the tightends at the Senior Bowl

TE: Lance Kendricks (Wisconsin) – 6031, 240. A screen off good effort
type blocker with receiving skills. A move tight end who can adjust and block
on the run. A former wide receiver with good route savvy. Sticky, physical,
and scrappy blocking during the week. Caught 2 passes for 39 yards in the
game. Mike McNeill (Nebraska) – 6036, 232. Long arms 33 ¼”. Misplayed
a ball off his hands during the game that was intercepted. An H-back candidate
who can block on the move. Moved to wide receiver his senior year after
playing tight end the three previous years. Caught the ball well in Senior
Bowl practices. Lee Smith (Marshall) – 6057, 269. Long arms 34”. A run
blocking tight end with some short area receiving skills. Caught the ball well
in practice. Has the quickness to set the edge versus a 4-3 defensive end.
Preston Dial (Alabama) – 6021, 238. Big hands 10 1/8”. An H-back type move
tight end who struggles to separate from coverage. Cradle type catcher. Position
blocker. Luke Stocker (Tennessee) – 6047, 255. An inline blocker with good
hands. Struggles to separate down the field, but will compete and make the catch
in a crowd. Good concentration. Works to stick and stay on his blocks. Can adjust
and block on the move. DJ Williams (Arkansas) – 6017, 236. Hands 10 3/8”.
An H-back type tight end with excellent eye-hand coordination. A natural hand
catcher who is effective in the slot or on the move. Good effort on double team
and screen off blocks. An Aaron Hernandez type contributor on the next level.