'11 CA DE/OT Troy Niklas (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[Riddickulous]

This TE class is loaded. He'd be better off staying in school.

 

[ThePiombino]

@ISDUpdate: #NotreDame tight end Troy Niklas "pretty sure" of 2014 return. (PREMIUM)http://t.co/NKZAymh2tg

The tweet pretty much sum it up. Interesting though- Coack BK was the one to request the evaluation, not Niklas. Knowing this makes me even more confident that he'll back - not that I could have been anymore confident prior to that fact lol

 

[NDWorld247]

Working out at IMG Academy with Zach Martin, Chris Watt and the other draft prospects that train there for the combine. This could be good (he is paying out of pocket to get better) or bad (he gone) news.

 

[nd1989]

Working out at IMG Academy with Zach Martin, Chris Watt and the other draft prospects that train there for the combine. This could be good (he is paying out of pocket to get better) or bad (he gone) news.

I thought I read that his pro evaluation identified areas that he had to work on to improve, base don a pro evaluation. I think he's probably at IMG to improve those areas -- like speed, quickness, etc.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Working out at IMG Academy with Zach Martin, Chris Watt and the other draft prospects that train there for the combine. This could be good (he is paying out of pocket to get better) or bad (he gone) news.

Really doubt he'd declare this year. Couldn't see him going earlier than the 3rd round at best.

 

[NDWorld247]

I apologize for the bad info. Wasn't him. It looked just like him though. About 6'7", same hair, working out with Martin.

 

[PANDFAN]

niklas' father, Don Niklas, had told ESPN.com that Troy had received a grade between the second- and fourth-rounds, and that Troy plans on returning for his senior season and receiving his degree.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

In my head I was screaming NOOOOO as I was opening the thread lol

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Scary bump is horrifying

 

[Brooklyn]

niklas' father, Don Niklas, had told ESPN.com that Troy had received a grade between the second- and fourth-rounds, and that Troy plans on returning for his senior season and receiving his degree.

 

[Bubbles]

Good decision; I think he will have a big year next year and has a real chance to improve his grade for next year's draft.

 

[Emcee77]

Wow, my heart skipped a beat.

W/o Niklas we'd be down to Koyack, Smythe and Heuerman (neither of whom has ever played a snap) and incoming frosh. Not great.

With a big year next year Troy could get into the first round. He certainly has the athletic ability.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Very happy to see him back. With EG's return, I get the feeling we will have an explosiveness we haven't seen on offense in awhile. I would love for Troy to have a huge year and improve his draft stock a little bit more.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Woot

 

[Irish#1]

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Wow, my heart skipped a beat.

W/o Niklas we'd be down to Koyack, Smythe and Heuerman (neither of whom has ever played a snap) and incoming frosh. Not great.

With a big year next year Troy could get into the first round. He certainly has the athletic ability.

I don't see him being a first round pick ever. He doesn't have good hands and his balls skills are only ok. He lloks a little stiff at times running also (I know he is 6'6" 270 lbs). I think best case was for him to come back next year and solidify a second round spot.

On a side note, I see Koyack also getting drafted in the 4th round area next year.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I don't see him being a first round pick ever. He doesn't have good hands and his balls skills are only ok. He lloks a little stiff at times running also (I know he is 6'6" 270 lbs). I think best case was for him to come back next year and solidify a second round spot.

On a side note, I see Koyack also getting drafted in the 4th round area next year.

I consider his hands pretty darn good, personally.

 

[Emcee77]

I don't see him being a first round pick ever. He doesn't have good hands and his balls skills are only ok. He lloks a little stiff at times running also (I know he is 6'6" 270 lbs). I think best case was for him to come back next year and solidify a second round spot.

On a side note, I see Koyack also getting drafted in the 4th round area next year.

I consider his hands pretty darn good, personally.

Hmm, on second thought I agree with both of you ... Troy has pretty soft hands imo, but he does look a little stiff out there. I could see him making the first round if a team wants a physical blocking TE (I mean Troy is like a more mobile OT out there), but Tyler Eifert he definitely isn't. I don't see the same body control and agility while the ball is in the air.

 

[Irish YJ]

Great news. With EG returning,,,, will bet a million Vbucks he doubles his catches, yards, and TDs. Book it.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Great news. With EG returning,,,, will bet a million Vbucks he doubles his catches, yards, and TDs. Book it.

I'm not so certain about that as you are.

EG didn't target Eifert as much as Rees did. Maybe that was in portion to EG not progressing through his reads properly, something Rees was often 'praised' for, but again, EG was only a redshirt-freshman, and it takes time and experience to grow certain aspects of a QBs game.

Niklas had 32 catches this season, I find it much more plausible that he can match what Eifert did his senior year (50 catches, 685 yards)

 

[Domina Nostra]

Hmm, on second thought I agree with both of you ... Troy has pretty soft hands imo, but he does look a little stiff out there. I could see him making the first round if a team wants a physical blocking TE (I mean Troy is like a more mobile OT out there), but Tyler Eifert he definitely isn't. I don't see the same body control and agility while the ball is in the air.

Yup. But I do think he'll be a lot more confident and smooth next year.

 

[IrishLax]

He can be a first round pick IF he becomes a truly dominant blocker. He will never, ever have Jimmy Graham or Tony Gonzalez or even Tyler Eifert like pass catching ability. Don't get me wrong, he's a good offensive weapon, but he'll never have 1st round dynamic receiving ability or run at 1st round speed at the combine.

He can have the biggest upside by destroying people as a blocker. He did that quite a bit this year, and if/when he becomes consistent he will be VERY appealing to teams looking for a traditional in-line blocking TE.

 

[Irish YJ]

I'm not so certain about that as you are.

EG didn't target Eifert as much as Rees did. Maybe that was in portion to EG not progressing through his reads properly, something Rees was often 'praised' for, but again, EG was only a redshirt-freshman, and it takes time and experience to grow certain aspects of a QBs game.

Niklas had 32 catches this season, I find it much more plausible that he can match what Eifert did his senior year (50 catches, 685 yards)

So you are taking the bet ;-) ?

All hinges on the OC we bring in, and how much BK empowers him...... but if we go speed spread, I think Hercules becomes EGs security blanket. Even in a power spread, I think his touches will increase dramatically. I think EGs mobility + his new found wisdom (from the guru) will equate to a $#!+ ton of mismatches for our TEs.

 

[Irish YJ]

He can be a first round pick IF he becomes a truly dominant blocker. He will never, ever have Jimmy Graham or Tony Gonzalez or even Tyler Eifert like pass catching ability. Don't get me wrong, he's a good offensive weapon, but he'll never have 1st round dynamic receiving ability or run at 1st round speed at the combine.

He can have the biggest upside by destroying people as a blocker. He did that quite a bit this year, and if/when he becomes consistent he will be VERY appealing to teams looking for a traditional in-line blocking TE.

Agree with all you said, but I do think his red zone stock goes way up in 2014.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

He can be a first round pick IF he becomes a truly dominant blocker. He will never, ever have Jimmy Graham or Tony Gonzalez or even Tyler Eifert like pass catching ability. Don't get me wrong, he's a good offensive weapon, but he'll never have 1st round dynamic receiving ability or run at 1st round speed at the combine.

He can have the biggest upside by destroying people as a blocker. He did that quite a bit this year, and if/when he becomes consistent he will be VERY appealing to teams looking for a traditional in-line blocking TE.

When was the last time a TE like that was drafted in the first round? I just don't see a team picking a dominant blocking TE, with above average receiving skills in the first round.

 

[Cackalacky]

So you are taking the bet ;-) ?

All hinges on the OC we bring in, and how much BK empowers him...... but if we go speed spread, I think Hercules becomes EGs security blanket. Even in a power spread, I think his touches will increase dramatically. I think EGs mobility + his new found wisdom (from the guru) will equate to a $#!+ ton of mismatches for our TEs.

You are correct sir.

 

[BGIF]

I'm not so certain about that as you are.

EG didn't target Eifert as much as Rees did. Maybe that was in portion to EG not progressing through his reads properly, something Rees was often 'praised' for, but again, EG was only a redshirt-freshman, and it takes time and experience to grow certain aspects of a QBs game.

Niklas had 32 catches this season, I find it much more plausible that he can match what Eifert did his senior year (50 catches, 685 yards)

I think Niklas should have been targeted more this year especially in the Red Zone but it didn't happen. I suspect that's more play calling than progressions.

As for matching Eifert, he was used more as a WR than TE giving him more opportunity in Kelly's offense to be a target.

 

[CanadalovesND]

When was the last time a TE like that was drafted in the first round? I just don't see a team picking a dominant blocking TE, with above average receiving skills in the first round.

Brandon Pettigrew was the last one that comes to mind, he's an average receiving tight end but his blocking was always his strong suit.

But with the recent evolution of TE's the last few years in the NFL, teams want TE's who can get vertical and make plays down the field, like a glorified bulked up WR. So, excellent blocking TE's aren't much of a priority when looking for a #1 TE as they used to be.

 

[Irish YJ]

I think Niklas should have been targeted more this year especially in the Red Zone but it didn't happen. I suspect that's more play calling than progressions.

As for matching Eifert, he was used more as a WR than TE giving him more opportunity in Kelly's offense to be a target.

Keep in mind that with TR's lack of mobility, LBs and Ss didn't have to spy TR much. They could sit back and crowd the TEs to an extent. They will have to spy EG big time which will create a plethora of open looks underneath.

 

[BGIF]

Keep in mind that with TR's lack of mobility, LBs and Ss didn't have to spy TR much. They could sit back and crowd the TEs to an extent. They will have to spy EG big time which will create a plethora of open looks underneath.

I understand your point in theory but don't recall TE's being a big receiving part of Kelly's Offense at Cinncinati where he had mobile QBs.

Regardless of TR's lack of mobility, Niklas was a HUGH (height and girth) target in the Red Zone or should have been. He did have 4 TD catches one short of the ND TE record but should have had double that considering ND's weak TD production in '10, '11, '12, and '13.

Golson adds a facet to the attack but in reality the Red Zone potential was not realized in '12. Check the team stats for Kelly's era.