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Cameron Latu-TE-3rd Round 2023 Draft

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Apr 28, 2023 at 9:49 PM
Every player in the draft has weaknesses.

He has strengths too.

Strengths

Averaged 14.1 yards per catch during Alabama career.

Early acceleration for effective seam routes.

Opens throwing windows with speed alterations.

Shakes and stems safeties at the top of the route.

Uses full hand extension to meet the throw.

Pretty solid pop into contact as blocker.

Sustains in space with mirroring feet
Apr 28, 2023 at 9:50 PM
Originally posted by TD49ers:
Originally posted by Rathof44:

Another report saying the basically same thing, Also slow AF 4.78-4.8

Weaknesses:
Needs work bodying and walling off coverage.
Needs to focus on making routes more elusive.
Less dynamic than expected after the catch.
Slender lower half as NFL base blocker.
Fits into blocks with tall pads and sloppy hands.
Will let catchable balls fall to the turf.

I always get a kick at the overly emotional. First draft?

Pay attention....1st rd or 7rd...who knows who will actually be any good.

Wasnt Kittle a 5th rder. Cant believe his scout report was all roses.
George Kittle:

Prospect Grade - 5.90

Average Backup Or Special-Teamer
Apr 28, 2023 at 9:51 PM
Originally posted by Rathof44:
Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
Originally posted by RonMexico:
Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
Originally posted by Rathof44:
Originally posted by DaleGribble:
Originally posted by Waterbear:
Is this guy even good? How many average TEs are we gonna waste picks on?
I don't see him as an upgrade over what they had behind Kittle.

He's not.
SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
  • He'll have to develop a better feel for sitting down against zone coverage.
  • He's a work in progress as a blocker, often playing too high and getting overpowered at the point of attack.
  • Struggles tracking the ball over his shoulder.
  • Latu really isn't a guy who will create a lot of separation.
yet if you watch his highlights.. he does all of that well

Highlights don't show the bad plays
True, but it does show his potential and that he can do it if he puts in more work

Another report saying the basically same thing, Also slow AF 4.78-4.8

Weaknesses:
Needs work bodying and walling off coverage.
Needs to focus on making routes more elusive.
Less dynamic than expected after the catch.
Slender lower half as NFL base blocker.
Fits into blocks with tall pads and sloppy hands.
Will let catchable balls fall to the turf.
I don't think he's here to be a full time blocker.

from what i saw in the vids is it gives me the same feelings that i had with the Jennings pick and that panned out

time will tell
Apr 28, 2023 at 9:51 PM
ShanaLynch are high on this guy...has the hands, nice burst. He'll be hard to cover, especially when they employ the 2 TE sets. Bye bye, Dwelley.
Apr 28, 2023 at 9:56 PM
  • Giedi
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 33,368
Originally posted by Ensatsu:
Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
I'm not sure about this pick at all. What does he give so amazing that he's worth 3rd round? We have TE's on this team. Starter and capable backup. What do you do with him? Special teams? 3rd string? I don't get this one.

maybe he can block Reddick next time

I was thinking the same thing.
Apr 28, 2023 at 9:58 PM
Originally posted by Giedi:
Originally posted by Ensatsu:
Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
I'm not sure about this pick at all. What does he give so amazing that he's worth 3rd round? We have TE's on this team. Starter and capable backup. What do you do with him? Special teams? 3rd string? I don't get this one.

maybe he can block Reddick next time

I was thinking the same thing.

That play is ingrained in my brain.
Apr 28, 2023 at 10:04 PM
  • Giedi
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 33,368
Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
Originally posted by Rathof44:
Originally posted by DaleGribble:
Originally posted by Waterbear:
Is this guy even good? How many average TEs are we gonna waste picks on?
I don't see him as an upgrade over what they had behind Kittle.

He's not.
SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
  • He'll have to develop a better feel for sitting down against zone coverage.
  • He's a work in progress as a blocker, often playing too high and getting overpowered at the point of attack.
  • Struggles tracking the ball over his shoulder.
  • Latu really isn't a guy who will create a lot of separation.
yet if you watch his highlights.. he does all of that well

I've watched plenty of Latu film. No idea where tf that evaluation comes from. He blocks well, runs solid routes, and finds spots in the zone. He's not a top flight athlete like Kittle but those guys don't grow on trees.

He and Whyle IMO were the two best tight ends left on the board. Totally fine with this pick having seen for myself that he has the talent. Better athlete than Dwelley coming out and with a bigger program. Good shot to win that job.

I was hoping for a replacement or understudy for Juszczyk, this guy doesn't look like it. However, I still like the pick. Like NC said, he might block Riddick a lot better than the other TE we had in the NFCCG. I hope he's durable like Kittle. The way Latu runs, reminds me a bit of Kittle too. I think, considering Purdy loves throwing to his TE's like Kittle, this may be the offensive tweaks that Kyle is doing to make Purdy more effective as a passer.
Apr 28, 2023 at 10:08 PM
  • Giedi
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 33,368
Originally posted by TD49ers:
Originally posted by Giedi:
Originally posted by Ensatsu:
Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
I'm not sure about this pick at all. What does he give so amazing that he's worth 3rd round? We have TE's on this team. Starter and capable backup. What do you do with him? Special teams? 3rd string? I don't get this one.

maybe he can block Reddick next time

I was thinking the same thing.

That play is ingrained in my brain.

Yeah, me too, and I was sick to my stomach the rest of the game.
Apr 28, 2023 at 10:08 PM
Originally posted by Giedi:
I was thinking the same thing.

Ironically, Tyler Kroft was drafted in the third round too, 85th overall and has had much better blocking profile in college. He has been a good blocker on NFL level.
Apr 28, 2023 at 10:10 PM
  • Giedi
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 33,368
Originally posted by frenchmov:
Originally posted by TD49ers:
Originally posted by Rathof44:

Another report saying the basically same thing, Also slow AF 4.78-4.8

Weaknesses:
Needs work bodying and walling off coverage.
Needs to focus on making routes more elusive.
Less dynamic than expected after the catch.
Slender lower half as NFL base blocker.
Fits into blocks with tall pads and sloppy hands.
Will let catchable balls fall to the turf.

I always get a kick at the overly emotional. First draft?

Pay attention....1st rd or 7rd...who knows who will actually be any good.

Wasnt Kittle a 5th rder. Cant believe his scout report was all roses.
George Kittle:

Prospect Grade - 5.90

Average Backup Or Special-Teamer

Well, that's my hope too that they get a Kittle 2.0 as his understudy and eventual replacement. Personally, I like the pick.

Apr 28, 2023 at 10:16 PM
Still looking for Toilolo's replacement I see.
Apr 28, 2023 at 10:32 PM
  • Giedi
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 33,368
Originally posted by the_dynasty:
Originally posted by Giedi:
I was thinking the same thing.

Ironically, Tyler Kroft was drafted in the third round too, 85th overall and has had much better blocking profile in college. He has been a good blocker on NFL level.

Kroft's been a journeyman on a lot of teams for a reason though. I have a feeling Latu would be a stronger blocker at the point of attack. Best case scenario, he becomes another Kittle and breaks some NFL records!
Apr 29, 2023 at 1:11 AM
I like Latu. Not sure that would have been my pick but I like the player.

Once Kraft and Washington were gone, I wanted to end up with Latu, Durham or Whyle. I kinda liked Whyle because of the extra size, but I would have been happy with any of the three.

I probably would have gambled and hoped one of those guys was there in the 5th. But I can understand the 9ers not wanting to risk it.
Apr 29, 2023 at 1:26 AM
Member Milestone: This is post number 600 for babarvaart.
Originally posted by frenchmov:
George Kittle:

Prospect Grade - 5.90

Average Backup Or Special-Teamer

Aye, Kelce was a 6th rd pick as well
Apr 29, 2023 at 1:51 AM
Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
Originally posted by Rathof44:
Originally posted by DaleGribble:
Originally posted by Waterbear:
Is this guy even good? How many average TEs are we gonna waste picks on?
I don't see him as an upgrade over what they had behind Kittle.

He's not.
SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
  • He'll have to develop a better feel for sitting down against zone coverage.
  • He's a work in progress as a blocker, often playing too high and getting overpowered at the point of attack.
  • Struggles tracking the ball over his shoulder.
  • Latu really isn't a guy who will create a lot of separation.
yet if you watch his highlights.. he does all of that well

I've watched plenty of Latu film. No idea where tf that evaluation comes from. He blocks well, runs solid routes, and finds spots in the zone. He's not a top flight athlete like Kittle but those guys don't grow on trees.

He and Whyle IMO were the two best tight ends left on the board. Totally fine with this pick having seen for myself that he has the talent. Better athlete than Dwelley coming out and with a bigger program. Good shot to win that job.

Thanks OTC. That's good enough for me, I haven't seen him.
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