By Glenn Naughton
In need of a blocking tight end with Kellen Davis nursing a hyper-extended elbow, the New York Jets have waived outside linebacker Victor Ochi and added former Texans tight end Eric Tomlinson from Houston’s practice squad.
We have signed TE Eric Tomlinson off Houston’s practice squad and waived OLB Victor Ochi. pic.twitter.com/52LLnTESfk
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 5, 2016
NFL.com had this to say about Tomlinson, a 6′ 6”, 263 lb Texas-El Paso product.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Big-bodied blocker. Has room for more weight on his frame. Takes good initial step to secure leverage as a run blocker. Shows ability to recover and wash defender down and out of play. Has functional upper-body power and can sustain his in-line blocks.
WEAKNESSES
Slow, plodding release off the line of scrimmage and into his routes. Doesn’t have athleticism to shake defender in man coverage. Needs to keep running feet through contact as drive blocker. Improvement needed with his angles and accuracy on second-level blocks.
BOTTOM LINE
Limited tight end who was primarily used as a blocker in college. Tomlinson will have to prove to teams that he has premium ability to develop as an in-line blocker because it is unlikely that most teams will view him as a combo tight end once they study the tape.
