Before the Draft: Tight End
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DRAFT POTENTIAL:
Day 1: NOPE. NO WAY, NO HOW.
Day 2: POSSIBLE, BUT UNLIKELY
Tight ends are a valuable asset in this league. They make great targets on trick plays, they serve at times as an additional offensive lineman, they can draw linebackers away from screens, they can receive screens, and if they’re fast enough they can even be downfield threats (see Steelers’ secondary enemy numero uno, Baltimore Raven Todd Heap). No other position is used with such versatility, and yet no other position that regularly handles the ball gets so little attention from the public — or opposing defenses.
That means good skills and diversity is important. The Steelers have rediscovered the usefulness of the position over the last two seasons with the arrival of Heath Miller. Combined with Jerame Tuman, they offer the same sort of one-two punch delivered by Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis during the 2005-06 Super Bowl run — albeit, not to the same extent, but similar nonetheless.
While he’s definitely no burner, Heath Miller is deceptively fast for his size. His height and long legs give him a slow, long stride similar to that of former NFL running back Herschel Walker, or the great Jim Brown. That doesn’t play to his advantage when trying to juke a defender, but let’s be honest here: when is the last time you saw a tight end run an out-and-up? Oh, and he is a mere 6′5″ and 256 pounds.
On the other side of the coin there’s Jerame Tuman. While ever so slightly smaller than Miller (6′4″, 253 pounds), Tuman is a considerably better blocker but lacks the speed and hands that Miller posesses. Tuman has been a member of the Steelers since his rookie year, signed as an undrafted free agent. He took over the starting job after former standout Mark Bruener left, and since the arrival of Miller has worked very well as the other bookend when the Steelers line up in a two-tight-end formation.
The team re-instated the tight end position as a large part of their passing offense when they signed Miller, who is known for his ability to make tough catches. While Tuman is capable of playing as a receiving tight end, his strong point is, without a doubt, his well-honed blocking skills.
With the two-tight-end sets so prominent in the team’s playbook, the team needs at least a third tight end on the roster. They signed former Buffalo Bill Tim Euhus on Feb. 15, shortly after signing undrafted rookie Jon Dekker to the practice squad. What either of them are capable of remains to be seen.
With much more pressing needs at offensive line, cornerback and outside linebacker, the only position likely to get less attention in the draft than tight end this year is quarterback. Free agent options look great if you want a starter, but the Steelers have two solid performers with experience. Expect the team to pick up one of the lower-rated free agents near the end of the summer, or possibly sign an undrafted rookie free agent. They need depth at nearly every position, especially when looking beyond 2007, so a position with four options available is likely to get shuffled to the back burner.
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