Seattle took a flier on WR/TE/Athlete Jameson Konz with their final draft pick. The Uniontown, Ohio native measured in at 6'3" 235, runs a 40 in 4.38 seconds, and has a 46" vert. And those numbers, really, are the main reasons he was chosen. He is a freakish athlete. To be that big, fast, agile (6.93 3 cone drill), and to have a 46" verticle jump is pretty rare. He also benched 225 lbs 27 times - better than some linemen can boast. So he's got strenght to go with quicks.
Like Antonio Gates, Josh Cribbs, and James Harrison, Konz played his college ball at Kent State. He played linebacker the first three years of his collegiate career. When he was a Senior, he was moved to Tight End, but he hurt his ankle, redshirted, and returned for another year. His senior year he played in-line Tight End about a third of the time and lined up at H-Back the rest. He caught 21 passes for 298 yards and a pair of TDs. His numbers most likely would have been significantly better had he not been injured his redshirted (first) senior year: he would have been catching passes from his then QB teammate/roommate and current New England Patriot Julian Edelman. The next year, Edelman was drafted and Konz was catching passes from a true freshman, (16 TD to 16 INT). Not terrible stats for a guy in a shaky offense that was playing on defense the three years prior.
After he was done at Kent State, Konz hooked up with Julian Edelman's agent, Don Yee. Yee met Konz through Kent State's head coach Doug Martin. After the success that he had with Edelman, he reached out to another versatile, athletic player in Konz. As Lee put it, "Versatility is becoming more important on these [NFL] rosters. If a player has the appropriate body shape and ability, he's going to be serving more than one role. I think [Konz] is going to be the same Swiss Army knife-type of guy."
Late round guys like Konz tend to get overlooked once OTAs and Training Camp begin. Many of them do end up being cut. However, with the amount of injuries to any given team a year (15 Seahawks were on the Injured Reserve at year's end), guys drafted in the late rounds or even UFAs are inevitably going to get a chance to see the field (just look at Indianapolis or Green Bay).
Konz's freakish physical ability is not the only thing he brings to the table. Simply put, he's got the ideal attitude you'd want for a jack-of-all-trades type player for your team. When asked what he'd like NFL teams to know about him going into the draft, he replied:
Well, as far as the film, it should speak for itself. I play extremely hard. I’m going to go all-out every single play. But as far as (beyond) film, I would like for them just to get to know me as a person and understand the type of person I am: somebody of high character and integrity… I understand that I’m the type of person who’s going to go into a football organization and not only be 150 percent for you on the field, but in the community as well. I understand that, you know, professional athletes are role models for kids growing up – I used to be one – and I take that responsibility to heart. I really just want to be the type of person who can (become) a positive role model for people.With a good attitude and some offseason work on his skillset, he could find himself working with a number of different units. Konz was initially told by the Hawks' coaching staff that he'd be playing some WR, but played some TE in mini-camps as well. My guess is that they will try to incorporate him into their special teams packages early and often. Coming out of a small program like Kent State, Konz was able to to a part of almost every Special Teams down in his career there, experience that will be invaluable.
To make the 53 man roster, though, Konz will need to develop in many areas. He will need to improve his consistency catching the ball, his downfield blocking, his route running, and his speed off the line. These are all coachable and improvable problem areas, and Konz's old-school football attitude leads me to believe he'll put the work in. CBS Sports had a very thorough report on Konz coming out last year, listing some of his shortcomings (i.e., why he was a 7th rd pick), and also some of his potential strong suits, which I'll quote here:
Release: Average quickness off the line, hesitating instead of exploding. Rarely pressed in KSU's spread offense. Builds up deep speed after a couple of steps with long strides.As you can see, Konz is a raw athlete; but one with major potential. To be taken so late in the 7th Round, I see this as a good pick. If he hadn't been drafted, several teams would most likely have given him a call. He is a guy that could come in on special teams and contribute next year, possibly working his way onto the field in certain packages at H-Back, Tight End, or even Fullback. If his hands and blocking improve you could see him running routes at WR in a year or two. He is the type of hard worker you want in your locker room.
Hands: Able to catch the ball away from his frame with his hands. Capable of the circus catch, but also drops passes that cannot happen at the next level. Loses concentration when trying to make a play before securing the ball, with bad body language after the drop. Excellent vertical to go up and over defenders. Must improve catching low throws.
Route running: A bit robotic in his route-running, but flashes the ability to plant his foot and cut at a sharp angle outside. Downfield speed allows him to fake inside or outside and get separation, even though he runs a bit stiff. Good quickness down the seam. Takes time to gather on hitch routes, allowing defender into the play. Does not always finish routes downfield, especially if covered or not the primary option. Could work harder to get back to quarterback when play breaks down.
After the catch: Used on bubble screens to take advantage of his speed and agility. Willing to lower the shoulder to get extra yardage with the ball in his hands. Runs through arm tackles from corners and can avoid cut tackles outside. Could be a matchup problem with linebackers once he's in space. Has enough elusiveness to avoid a defensive back's tackle but lacks great vision in the open field.
Blocking: Gives effort to get to linebackers and safeties at the second level, but isn't as aggressive or physically dominating as you would expect as a former linebacker. Will throw a shoulder instead of trying to sustain. Lacks great flexibility and strength on the edge, and even cut blocks against cornerbacks are severely ineffective. Lines up as motion tight end; good quickness from his stance but hesitates to block, missing targets and struggling to stay engaged. Does not have lower-body strength to anchor on the line or in the open field.
Intangibles: Played multiple positions; from receiver in high school to linebacker, stayed until team's depth allowed the switch back to offense. On-field effort was not always what it could have been, however. Considered more potential than production and a better athlete than football player at this time.
Also, a guy that is 6'3", 235, runs a 4.38 40, and can jump out of the building to go up and get a ball in the back of the end zone could certainly come in handy. Jameson Konz's potential is what makes this a good pick. It's the true definition of a flier pick, but one with a high ceiling.
In his first year with the Hawks, Konz spent most of it on the Injured Reserve with a hip injury. Before that, though, he signed a 4-year, $1.83 million contract and figures to be in the Seahawks' plans this year. Not many 7th round picks do much of anything their first year, so the fact he was out all year shouldn't be taken into as much consideration in the grading of the pick.
NEXT UP, Round 7, pick 29 (#236 Overall): DE Dexter Davis
Stay tuned...
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