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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
 

Great ideas rooted in love.(R)

Last edited by Rusty
Original Post

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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

Last edited by Pakrz
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. Could be a kick returner...

Last edited by GreenBayLA
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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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