2019 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions 7-round 2019 mock draft 1.0
By Zac Snyder
Tight end is one of the more interesting positions because it is regarded as fairly difficult for incoming rookies to adjust to the NFL game, but it is also a spot where we’ve seen guys who didn’t play college football be able to come in and put together an NFL career. Antonio Gates is the biggest example but Mo Alie-Cox, a former basketball player at VCU, has made the transition with the Indianapolis Colts.
Kahale Warring isn’t that extreme of an example, but his football career started late in high school and just started to develop while at San Diego State. He started as a walk-on, redshirted as a freshman then earned not only playing time but also a scholarship.
Anyone drafting Warring isn’t going to be doing so because they are blown away with his college production. 51 receptions in 19 career games isn’t what making this pick is about. The alure of Warring is his elite athleticism and what he has been able to show despite a limited football background. The following quote from Warring’s NFL.com draft profile sums it up:
"“He’s exciting to project because he hasn’t played that much football and he still has big-time flashes. He’s one of those guys who was good at everything in high school athletics, and that usually translates out on the field.” — West Coast scout for NFC team"
Choosing to release Eric Ebron last offseason rather than having him play out his fifth-year option was a controversial decision and Bob Quinn is still dealing with the fallout after enduring a dreadful 2018 season from his tight end group. He was able to begin stabilizing the tight end depth chart by signing Jesse James to a multi-year deal in free agency, but there is more work to be done, even if Michael Roberts can develop into a steady presence.
Adding Kahale Warring would give Quinn some time to breath, at least at tight end.