Or stayed at DE?
First and foremost I do not know if it makes a materially difference in the big picture of the team and program in 2024/2025. I also hate moving players around positionally bc I think it stunts development of said player and others impacted in those position groups. But..
I thought Fletcher had flashed on D his first year. It was a crowded position group I understand l. And he did not have a sure fire position as he was one of many hybrid lb/des we’ve brought in over the years that are rated highly but have big position question marks (same can be said for lb/safety but in recent years that’s been better). I think his niche was probably as a passing down specialist off the edge, which quite frankly one of the biggest team deficiencies we have.
Conversely, he has been involved at TE. However, the usage was almost exclusively ADOT of two yards or less. A role I think could’ve been filled by others. I won’t go to bat for his blocking either but admittedly I don’t know how much you get at blocking from the other guys. As we put more on tape, defenses began to shut down the one play he was the primary target in, and in his last game he had a case of the drops.
Assuming he’s brought back next year, and if so that he’s healthy, I think he is needed on D more than O. Maybe should’ve been given more of a chance there all along but who’s to say.
First and foremost I do not know if it makes a materially difference in the big picture of the team and program in 2024/2025. I also hate moving players around positionally bc I think it stunts development of said player and others impacted in those position groups. But..
I thought Fletcher had flashed on D his first year. It was a crowded position group I understand l. And he did not have a sure fire position as he was one of many hybrid lb/des we’ve brought in over the years that are rated highly but have big position question marks (same can be said for lb/safety but in recent years that’s been better). I think his niche was probably as a passing down specialist off the edge, which quite frankly one of the biggest team deficiencies we have.
Conversely, he has been involved at TE. However, the usage was almost exclusively ADOT of two yards or less. A role I think could’ve been filled by others. I won’t go to bat for his blocking either but admittedly I don’t know how much you get at blocking from the other guys. As we put more on tape, defenses began to shut down the one play he was the primary target in, and in his last game he had a case of the drops.
Assuming he’s brought back next year, and if so that he’s healthy, I think he is needed on D more than O. Maybe should’ve been given more of a chance there all along but who’s to say.
