Any hope for Maxx Williams?

[adammc44]

He was a flyer pickup at the end of the year....we don't have waivers open until just before the season when we do a FA draft. It's very possible I cut him then, but my thought process was he was a late first or early 2nd round pick, is going into his 3rd year, and he's still only 23 (and turned 23 in April). Don't think it's fair to call him a bust, but I do think if he doesn't show something this year then it would be.

[Goddard]

It wouldn't be unusual for a TE to take 2-3 years to develop and then finally produce. I'd give him a chance this season if you have the roster space. If he doesn't do anything this year, then he's probably not as good as we thought.

[Space Cowboy]

I fail to understand how Maxx Williams has "face planted" so far. He had a pretty solid rookie year, and then was injured last year.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/ ... x-williams

Not a single good game despite next to no presence at TE and little to nothing at WR.

What kind of a bar do you use to judge rookie TEs?

Impossible to put any kind of # of it due to the multiple facets of the position. However, he was given every opportunity and to me, looked slow, not overly strong and didn't look comfortable at all. Yes he was a rookie, but that slow start combined with his (to me) overrated college tape, then the Ravens going out and signing Watson, bringing back Pitta, Waller made some plays, Gilmore has great size. Not liking how its shaking out for Maxx.

Personally, I think he's still getting by based on his leap over a defender in college. NFL ATHLETICISM!

[Shoreline Steamers]

He was a flyer pickup at the end of the year....we don't have waivers open until just before the season when we do a FA draft. It's very possible I cut him then, but my thought process was he was a late first or early 2nd round pick, is going into his 3rd year, and he's still only 23 (and turned 23 in April). Don't think it's fair to call him a bust, but I do think if he doesn't show something this year then it would be.

This is where I'm at with Maxx. Same scenario in our league in that he went late 1st, then the owner got frustrated with him so I grabbed him off the wire for nothing. 2017 is a big year for him though. If he doesn't show a little bit more on the field then I'll probably be moving on before the 2018 draft. I'm hoping to grab one of the top 3 TE's late in the first this year to hedge my bet, but we'll see exactly where they get taken and if that's even possible.

2018 is looking pretty weak for TE's, and with three really solid prospects available this year I think it's a little more important than in years past to grab one of them if your team needs help at the position. I'd be very happy with Howard/Engram/Njoku behind Kelce in case it doesn't happen for Maxx.

[Cowboysfan33]

I just recently drafted him in the 18th round in a startup draft. There wasn't much left and we have deep rosters so I felt like it was worth a shot, since he is so young and Pitta has had so many injuries.

[slaughterrt]

It's funny that there are many owners who refuse to even draft a tight end because of the long transition they face at the position in the NFL.
But when a tight end doesn't show much in his rookie year, many of these same owners wash their hands of him and label him a bust. Can't have it both ways. Either you need to be patient or you don't.

Haha yep. I thought the general consensus was that it takes the majority of rookie TEs a few years to be relevant.

And at the same time, if they aren't immediately producing out of the gate, then it's time to cut bait.

I'm ok with this because it gives me a shot at a cheap young TE.

For what it's worth, in a 16 team startup (TE premium, full IDP, 2QB, 53 man roster)...I drafted Maxx in the 28th round.

[bigchiefbc]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/ ... x-williams

Not a single good game despite next to no presence at TE and little to nothing at WR.

What kind of a bar do you use to judge rookie TEs?

Impossible to put any kind of # of it due to the multiple facets of the position. However, he was given every opportunity and to me, looked slow, not overly strong and didn't look comfortable at all. Yes he was a rookie, but that slow start combined with his (to me) overrated college tape, then the Ravens going out and signing Watson, bringing back Pitta, Waller made some plays, Gilmore has great size. Not liking how its shaking out for Maxx.

Personally, I think he's still getting by based on his leap over a defender in college. NFL ATHLETICISM!

But it wasn't a slow start, that's the point. He had a pretty standard rookie NFL TE season, and then was hurt last year. Hell, Gronk barely cleared 40 catches his rookie year, and Jimmy Graham put up a blazing 31/356 in his rookie year. TEs take time, that's the thing.

if you don't like him from his tape, that's fine, I won't argue with you. But to claim that he "faceplanted" or is some kind of bust is extremely premature at this point.

[Cameron Giles]

It wouldn't be unusual for a TE to take 2-3 years to develop and then finally produce. I'd give him a chance this season if you have the roster space. If he doesn't do anything this year, then he's probably not as good as we thought.

It wouldn't be, but depending on who you ask, he's either the TE2 or TE3 on the Ravens. Dennis Pitta is their starter and he led the team with 121 targets last year. That's not just going away anytime soon, unless he gets injured again.

I liked Maxx coming out of college, but it's not looking good for him in Baltimore right now.

[Goddard]

It wouldn't be unusual for a TE to take 2-3 years to develop and then finally produce. I'd give him a chance this season if you have the roster space. If he doesn't do anything this year, then he's probably not as good as we thought.

It wouldn't be, but depending on who you ask, he's either the TE2 or TE3 on the Ravens. Dennis Pitta is their starter and he led the team with 121 targets last year. That's not just going away anytime soon, unless he gets injured again.

I liked Maxx coming out of college, but it's not looking good for him in Baltimore right now.

That's true. I thought about that as well. Sometimes you just have to wait till a player leaves and goes to a new team before they break out...similar to Delanie when he was stuck behind Vernon for a few years. I'm not saying Maxx will be good and I'm not all that high on him, but it's still early to give up for a TE. I'd have a hard time holding him myself at this point.

[SteveVolk]

I know some people reject "narrative" out of hand but this kid's story is trending down. He isn't even the guy coaches talk up. I've got him on two teams and I will be looking for another guy to plug into the "developmental" slot if I can get the chance. —Best, Steve

[ascherb]

I like Williams, but as a Minnesota homer who's watched him his whole college career, I just don't think he's a game changing talent. He's good and solid, but probably JAG at the NFL level.

[Space Cowboy]

What kind of a bar do you use to judge rookie TEs?

Impossible to put any kind of # of it due to the multiple facets of the position. However, he was given every opportunity and to me, looked slow, not overly strong and didn't look comfortable at all. Yes he was a rookie, but that slow start combined with his (to me) overrated college tape, then the Ravens going out and signing Watson, bringing back Pitta, Waller made some plays, Gilmore has great size. Not liking how its shaking out for Maxx.

Personally, I think he's still getting by based on his leap over a defender in college. NFL ATHLETICISM!

But it wasn't a slow start, that's the point. He had a pretty standard rookie NFL TE season, and then was hurt last year. Hell, Gronk barely cleared 40 catches his rookie year, and Jimmy Graham put up a blazing 31/356 in his rookie year. TEs take time, that's the thing.

if you don't like him from his tape, that's fine, I won't argue with you. But to claim that he "faceplanted" or is some kind of bust is extremely premature at this point.

Gronk had 10 TDs and Graham was may more productive despite being a basketball player.

I know TEs take time but he showed absolutely nothing his rookie year despite being given every chance and didn't impress last offseason either.

[Fantasyfanatic11]

Well this is his chance.....

Pitta re-injured hip today, not sure severity though but if he's done for the year, this is Williams best chance.

@Ravens: Statement from Ozzie Newsome: "In unfortunate news, Dennis Pitta re-injured his hip at today’s OTA session."

[ChuckCecil26]

Well this is his chance.....

Pitta re-injured hip today, not sure severity though but if he's done for the year, this is Williams best chance.

@Ravens: Statement from Ozzie Newsome: "In unfortunate news, Dennis Pitta re-injured his hip at today’s OTA session."

Yeah, the injury sounds bad.

Might see Barnidge or Ladarius Green get a shot at the job.

[Franky Four Fingers]

Well this is his chance.....

Pitta re-injured hip today, not sure severity though but if he's done for the year, this is Williams best chance.

@Ravens: Statement from Ozzie Newsome: "In unfortunate news, Dennis Pitta re-injured his hip at today’s OTA session."

Indeed it is. Grab him for free and see if he gets to fill Pitta's role. If he does he could be fantasy gold as Pitta led all TEs in receptions last year. If he doesn't get that roll than he's an easy cut.