ROUND 3 PICK 75 - TE JACE STERNBERGER (TEXAS A&M)

Rusty42 inch pythons brother!

Player Bio:
Jace is the son of two athletes, his father a football player at Southeastern Oklahoma and his mother a two-time All-American basketball player at the same school. He signed with Kansas out of high school, but only caught one pass for five yards as a redshirt freshman in 2016. Wishing to make more of an impact, he transferred to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M where he got his chance to contribute (21 catches, 336 yards, 16.0 average, six touchdowns). FBS coaches lined up to recruit him after that performance, and he decided to roll with new A&M Head Coach Jimbo Fisher. That turned out to be the correct choice, as Sternberger became a consensus All-American, first-team All-SEC recipient, and the Aggies' Offensive MVP by setting team highs with 48 receptions, 832 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 13 games (12 starts).

Analysis

Draft Projection: Rounds 3-4

NFL Comparison: Jacob Tamme

Overview:

Despite his experience in-line and willingness to block in Jimbo Fisher's offense, he has neither the size nor strength to handle those duties as a pro. Sternberger is athletic with above-average ball skills, catch radius and route breaks that help him undercover on the second and third level. His paychecks will be tied to his pass-catching so he'll need to play stronger through route contact and with better focus when contested. He has eventual starter potential as a move tight-end who can function as a big WR3/4 from the slot.

Strengths:

Talented route-runner with no wasted steps
Maintains pressure with good route speed
Sets off-man coverage up before accelerating past
Excellent hand-eye for smooth grabs on the run without breaking stride
Runs his routes like a big receiver
Keeps the same energy in and out of breaks
Slick outside-in breaks to cross-face coverage
Above-average hands
Plus in-air adjustments and grab radius
Athleticism and route savvy could create matchup issues
Runs with vision after the catch
Able to be shuffled around the field with various groupings

Weaknesses:

Slightly undersized
Run blocking isn't where it needs to be
Gets caved into the run lane by edge strength
Initial block engagement lacks necessary leverage
Allows backside leakage due poor angles
Needs longer sustain as blocker in space
Route bullies throw his timing and focus off
Inconsistent finishing catches through contact
Can improve body positioning to protect catch space

Sources Tell Us:
"You wish he was a little bit faster but he makes up for it with his routes. You feed him, get him stronger and you'll have an NFL starter who gets you 50 to 60 catches a year." -- AFC tight ends coach

4/26/194:58 PM

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

YATittleMember

I'm stoked!

4/26/199:09 PM

Pikes PeakMember

I wish you didn't post his weaknesses

4/26/199:10 PM

GreenBayLAMember

A new target for 12. cheesehead At least we picked a guy in his projected round.

4/26/199:14 PM

FedyaMember

Pikes Peak posted:
I wish you didn't post his weaknesses

Everybody has weaknesses, including Aaron Rodgers.

4/26/199:15 PM

SufferinginmnMember

Probably a special teamer this year.

4/26/199:20 PM

HenryYou rang?

I'm glad they brought back Marcedes Lewis. Good weapons, horrible blockers.

4/26/199:25 PM

PackLandVAMember

Waiting for the obligatory “Watch the mismatches when Jace and Jimmy are on the field at the same time” post.

I like this pick in the third.

4/26/199:25 PM

TimpranilloMember

I didn’t think it was a position of need at all. But sure.

4/26/199:26 PM

Pistol GBMember

Pikes Peak posted:
I wish you didn't post his weaknesses

Those draft profiles are nothing more than bet-hedgers.

Strengths: He’s great!

Weaknesses: He sucks!

Ha! Called it!

4/26/199:31 PM

Pistol GBMember

Timpranillo posted:
I didn’t think it was a position of need at all. But sure.

It will be next year.

Which works out, because that’s about when he would be ready.

4/26/199:32 PM

Pikes PeakMember

Fedya posted:
Pikes Peak posted:
I wish you didn't post his weaknesses
Everybody has weaknesses, including Aaron Rodgers.

Blasphemy!

4/26/199:34 PM

GreenBayLAMember

Not real smooth but good hands.

4/26/199:36 PM

PackerHawkMember

Tonyan is TOAST.

Route bullies, LOL.

I'm gonna flood PakrzClinton with PM's the first time he drops a pass.

4/26/199:44 PM

PakrzFREEZE!

GreenBayLA posted:
Not real smooth but good hands.

Nice take.

Route Running -Really, really smooth. Love how easily he rolls through breaks and carries speed to snap off his angles and create separation. Attacks all three levels of the field effectively and shows a strong feel for finding soft spots in zone.

https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/jace-sternberger

4/26/199:44 PM

PackerHawkMember

But does he has smooth skin?

4/26/199:46 PM

PackLandVAMember

Yes he does. He’s been a ForHims guy since it’s inception.

4/26/199:59 PM

CavetoadHuge Member

I always appreciate a clean snap.

4/26/1910:02 PM

"We"-Ka-BongYou ungrateful biscuit eating son of a bitch

Please tell me he plays harmonica

4/26/1910:06 PM

HerschelMember

I like the pick, plus, he might be @Henry 's new avatar.

Related image

4/26/1910:10 PM

GreenBayLAMember

Pakrz posted:
GreenBayLA posted:
Not real smooth but good hands.
Nice take.
Route Running -Really, really smooth. Love how easily he rolls through breaks and carries speed to snap off his angles and create separation. Attacks all three levels of the field effectively and shows a strong feel for finding soft spots in zone.
https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/jace-sternberger

LOL His routes are fine, just offhand remark about how his legs looked kinda stiff. Maybe cuz he's built more like a WR, tall and thin + those white pants. omg Could be a kick returner...

4/26/1910:15 PM

Orlando WolfMember

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4/26/1910:16 PM

Pistol GBMember

rofl

4/26/1910:49 PM

antoooMember

PackLandVA posted:
Waiting for the obligatory “Watch the mismatches when Jace and Jimmy are on the field at the same time” post.
I like this pick in the third.

These guys don't really need to run routes. Matt LaFleur's play calling will scheme them open.

4/26/1911:05 PM

BorisPerson Man Camera Dildo Shop - NFLFU®

Supposedly

4/27/191:08 AM

michiganjoeMember

Brian Gutekunst says the 40 time he has on Jace Sternberger is 4.66.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) April 27, 2019

4/27/192:47 AM

BrakMember

If you want to see him at his best, check out A&M against the Gamecocks last year. Got really familiar with him that day. Couldn't stop him.

4/27/198:27 AM

Music CityMember

I like it that he has a little chip on his shoulder. This team needs playmakers, and to be one you need to have a little edge. A little swagger can separate you from JAG...

4/27/198:49 AM

YATittleMember

https://madison.com/wsj/sports...e0-2ec631827490.html

4/27/198:53 AM

michiganjoeMember

From YA's link:

Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers’ scouting staff didn’t see much drop-off from the two tight ends who went in the first round — Iowa’s T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant.

Like this pick a whole lot better than Fant at the bottom of the first.

4/27/199:50 AM

Maxi54Member

Just my opinion but I see a lot more drop-off between Hock and Sternberger than what's being suggested. Fant is a different type of TE and we needed someone like Savage at the end of Rd. 1 more than someone like Fant so I'm okay with the way it worked out.

4/27/199:57 AM

PackdogMember

Brak posted:
If you want to see him at his best, check out A&M against the Gamecocks last year. Got really familiar with him that day. Couldn't stop him.

I watched that game and agree. He was huge that day. People say he's not a good blocking TE but that gamecock film shows otherwise.

4/27/199:58 AM