Why Ladarius Green Is the NFL's Next Breakout Star at Tight End
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...n-is-the-nfls-next-breakout-star-at-tight-end
Athleticism
Green is 6'6" and 240 pounds. He ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and shows excellent fluidity and quickness on the field. In 2013, that athleticism was highlighted by his average per reception, as Green averaged more yards per reception than any player who caught at least 10 passes. Of the players on this list, Green is the only one who is listed as a tight end, and he is the only player who is officially listed at 6'5" or taller.
Having a player with Green's athleticism allows you to threaten every single level of the defense on every single snap in a variety of ways. Not only can Green catch the ball underneath and eat up space as quick as most receivers, but he can also run downfield without the ball to catch deep passes from his quarterback.
Green's speed is on display in the following GIFs:
His size at the catch point is very valuable when he gets down the field to work against defensive backs, while his fluid movement allows him to exploit less agile linebackers over the middle of the field underneath.
Even though Green doesn't have exceptional short-area quickness to release from the line of scrimmage, he is so big that he should be able to use his strength to push back bigger safeties and defensive backs in press coverage. It should also be noted that the offense can scheme him free at the line of scrimmage like it did above.
Blocking
Blocking as a tight end has become a contentious issue as of late because of
Jimmy Graham's franchise tag debate. Even though Green is an excellent receiver and a mismatch weapon like Graham, he is a significantly better blocker than the
New Orleans Saints star.
Green's movement and body control, combined with his size, make him a very effective blocker in space. He can advance to the second level to locate linebackers and safeties, but he can also pull behind the line of scrimmage to close off the opposite edge of the line.
On this big run for Ryan Mathews against the
Denver Broncos during last year's regular season, Green initially lines up as a tight end to the right of the offensive line.
He shows quick feet and good balance to work his way behind the line of scrimmage to the other side of the field before getting outside of the edge defender. While he doesn't immediately engage the linebacker, he uses the design of the play to his favor by getting to the right position to seal off the edge.
Green makes this movement look very simple, but it's not something every tight end in the NFL can do effectively.
On this play, Green is the inside tight end lined up to the left.
The Chargers run a sweep play to the left side, and Green has to make the key block to allow Mathews to run upfield. Green lines up the defensive back and uses his power at the point of contact to knock him out of the play.
Green isn't the kind of tight end who can line up on the line of scrimmage, lower his pad level and power his legs through contact to drive linebackers and defensive ends off the line of scrimmage. When he does line up tight to the formation, he generally focuses on establishing position and holding his ground in space.
For a receiving tight end, he is definitely a valuable blocker. Green has the potential to be a matchup nightmare for defenses in both the run and pass game.
