Vance "Beastmode" McDonald Thread

Originally posted by Garcia:
McD is 6'4 Ertz is 6'5

but McD is faster, bigger vertical and longer arms

Originally posted by DRUSTOPO:
LOVE IT!!! I posted this a while back about Vance on a TE thread....



Originally posted by DRUSTOPO:
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I really think our #2 TE needs to be a solid blocker first, pass catcher 2nd. Our coaches love multi dimension players who can line up anywhere and keep the defenses guessing. Ertz, Eifert, Reed and Escobar are excellent receivers of balls, but lack the size and strength to put their hand in the dirt and take on a 280 DE. Can they be coached up to block and add size after a couple years? Sure they could, over time, but that would have been a better idea LAST year with a #3 TE. Since Celek has hands of stone, we really need a solid blocking TE who can also catch, one we can plug in THIS season. I think 2 players fit that mold better than the rest, Kelce and Vance McDonald.

Vance McDonald, TE, Rice Height: 6-4. Weight: 267. Arm: 34 1/2. Hand: 10.18. 40 Time: 4.69. Projected Round (2013): 3-4

He mostly played in the slot at Rice, but he has strength ( 31 reps was tops for TE at the combine - and more than most Olinemen ) and the size ( 267 ) to be an effective inline blocker. He also was the top performer in the Broad Jump, 3 cone and 60 yard shuttle....so he's not just a big meathead, he's athletic too. I think his size, strength and athleticism will allow him to adapt to inline blocking pretty quick.

Here's NFL.com's breakdown =

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Analysis

Strengths Used all over the formation but mainly as a slot receiver. Smooth athlete, comfortable in space for someone his size. Engages with good hand placement when blocking, uses body to shield off running lane. Very long arms, flashes using them to his advantage when run blocking. Sticks to the latch even if jolted on first contact. Flashes driving smaller defenders to the ground. Fluid mover after the catch, natural with the ball in his hands, reads upfield blocks and cuts off of them. Plenty of receiver screens, shows patience and strength to finish off runs. Snap-to-whistle player, known to make multiple blocks on the same play. Comfortable with bucket catches. Quickly turns upfield and makes the most of each play. Can make contested catches. Hands catcher away from his body.

Weaknesses Lacks strength on first contact. Majority of blocking took place in space, no inline, which could show in NFL. At least one drop or bobble per game, occurred even more often at the Senior Bowl. Most occur when he has to adjust or move off his stationary spot. Other times when the ball gets there quickly, unexpected targets. Would like to see him high point more frequently.

NFL Comparison Todd Heap

Bottom Line Despite being built like an inline tight end, the majority of McDonald's experience is in the slot. This certainly helps his comfort blocking on the edge and as a receiver who picks up yards after the catch. In fact, McDonald is still learning how to use his frame effectively. Teams could view the Rice product as an inline prospect or as a Joker mismatch, but either way McDonald should be selected on the second day.

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I believe his versatility and size make him a perfect fit as our #2 TE. He already knows how to run routes and work in space, he also has big hands and long arms ( big assets in the Red Zone ) if he can adapt to inline blocking, he would be a great weapon for our team.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Garcia:
McD is 6'4 Ertz is 6'5

but McD is faster, bigger vertical and longer arms

McDonald is 267.....Ertz is like 248. McDonald is built solid and thick, a true monster.

Originally posted by Need4Speed:

Originally posted by midrdan:
We aren't drafting 13 players, so giving up one of our sixth rounders to move up is not a terrible move.

Bottom line - I trust Harbaugh to evaluate TE talent. I trust him more with that position than with any other, except maybe QB. This is his offense and he knows the players that fit this offense and if he really wanted Ertz or Kelce they would have gotten that TE. He loves this guy because he fits Harbaugh's offensive system better than the others.

I don't disagree but I don't think the brain trust is infallible and I'm just not a fan of him. He has lots of measurable, and hope he proves me wrong. Maybe it was just how he was used. But he runs stiff and I didn't see him getting open in senior bowl. I watched every snap and he looked easy to cover by better talent than he saw at rice. Long story short if he can be coached up I'll eat pie but I see celek as our second TE this year.

Originally posted by iLL49er:
my only question is why pick vance mcdonald over travis kelce

if anyone has insight on that greatly appreciated

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Here's the other thing about McDonald that I love. He's extremely difficult to bring down in the open field, a great guy for gaining yards after the catch, which seems to be the way the 49ers are going with Crabtree and Boldin already on the roster. He's going to be a load for a single safety to try and take down while he's on the move, hell he's bigger than most linebackers that would be covering him.

Originally posted by Travisty13:

Originally posted by WhySoSerious:

Lovin the pick. We needed a blocking TE and we got him.

What? Who? Cause I know you don't mean McDonald. He's not a good blocker at all yet.

Originally posted by nothing03:

Originally posted by iLL49er:
my only question is why pick vance mcdonald over travis kelce

if anyone has insight on that greatly appreciated

More athletic higher potential better blocker. The only downside is his route running and catching ability. I believe the coaches could fix his flaws. He is like the white version of Delanie but taller.