RFA Discussion (Split From Wagner/Kirskey Thread)

[YoHoChecko]

What's all this about Tonyan being a "poor blocker?"

This doesn't seem right to me. He's not "a blocking TE," and he WAS bad at blocking when he got added to the team, because he played WR in college. But I haven't seen anyone complain about his blocking anywhere until we started discussing his potential value on the open (or restricted, for some reason) market.

[BSA]

Oh, he definitely will. That's how rookie TEs go.

But that's also not how teams use draft picks, generally. I mean, one could argue that Jamal Williams is a safer, more proven option at RB than any of the draftees, especially after round 2. But that doesn't mean it's a good move to trade a 3rd round pick for him. If it was just about safety of the player, teams would be anxious to trade away draft capital for proven guys and it would be the norm. As it is, the vast majority of draft picks are made, and not traded for veterans.

thanks and I'd like this post even better if you'd used a similarly difficult-to-find player vs using an RB for your example - but I get your point.

IF the draft is about finding value - and IF Tonyan has more value than any other non-Pitts TE...then maybe the Brandon Beane's of the world take a 2nd look at this option. We've seen top guys like Ramsey and Minkah get moved for picks, but it just hasn't happened for RFAs and non-superstars yet. But if you're a team like Buffalo or GB where the locale is working against you with unrestricted FAs, maybe this RFA option is worth considering

Very happy to keep Mr Tonyan for another year and I hope he gets a deal for an even longer stay in Titletown.

[salmar80]

What's all this about Tonyan being a "poor blocker?"

This doesn't seem right to me. He's not "a blocking TE," and he WAS bad at blocking when he got added to the team, because he played WR in college. But I haven't seen anyone complain about his blocking anywhere until we started discussing his potential value on the open (or restricted, for some reason) market.

Agree. Tonyan is very, very much like Aaron Jones. Entered the league being good at just one thing (catching for Tonyan, rushing for Jones), and both have worked both hard and smart at becoming more well-rounded every season. This has made them true every-down guys, and worth more than their scouting profiles would warrant, at least in this scheme.

I don't think Tonyan is quite exceptional enough to flourish as the main receiving target of any team. That's why the 2nd round tender was safe. But as one of many options he's a fine, fine TE.