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| Drew Dileo |
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 172 lbs.
High school: Greenwell Springs (LA) Parkview Baptist
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #9
Last year: I ranked Dileo #21 and said he would return kickoffs and punts, as well as catch 15 passes. He was the starting holder, completed 1/1 passes for 11 yards, rushed 2 times for 7 yards, caught 9 passes for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns, and returned 1 punt for 0 yards.
I probably ranked Dileo a little too high last year, because I figured he would have done more in the return game. He was the holder on the extra point/field goal unit and did haul in nine receptions, so he was a valuable player, but kind of in a jack-of-all-trades way. He can do lots of things for a team, but he's not the fastest or most athletic guy around.
This year's ranking at #36 is sort of a reflection of what he did last year, since it seems some of his skills would be somewhat easily replaceable. One guy might not be able to hold, catch passes, and return an occasional punt, but there are a few guys who could probably do each of those jobs. Dileo is a good complementary player, and with three seniors having departed, he could see more passes come his way. It will be interesting to see how much time he gets in the return game now that incumbent punt returner Jeremy Gallon will presumably start at split end. If the coaches don't want to risk Gallon getting dinged or tired, Dileo might get a chance to return punts once again. He's a sure-handed good decision maker, so he seems like a safe choice, albeit unlikely to explode for many big returns.
Prediction: Holder, backup wide receiver, occasional returner; 12 receptions for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns
Drew Welker, Wes Dileo, Eckstein, gritty, blah blah blah
ReplyDeleteGood ranking and assessment. I like Dileo to have a breakout season for no rational reason whatsoever. I feel like someone is going to emerge out of this pool of receivers to have a much MUCH better season than most are expecting. In his 3rd year - Dileo could be that guy, in a role as prototypical slot receiver just like Zack Novack and Stu Douglass (and Mike Griffin, for you older dudes).
ReplyDeleteActually, I do have SOME logic for why I think Dileo will break out. Like Thunder said, he could handle more return duties, but I think he has a little more big play potential in him. But the main reason I think he'll do better is that Denard is going to get better at going through his reads and Borges is going to get better and recognizing Denard's limitations. Dileo could be a reliable target that gets a lot more receptions, and I think he can make something out of some of those.
I can understand why you inflated him a bit last year. The coaches were raving about him left and right after spring 2011. Perhaps Dileo would see more time on a team with a precision passing offense. He might not sizzle any DB's, but QB's would like his sure hands and route running. Denard needs jump-ball catchers. Considering his lowly expectations, it's nice to see a guy like Dileo turn into a solid contributor.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that those two rushes were for big first downs on fakes. He will now step full-time into the role of Guy Who Turns Field Goals Into First Downs, at which he split time last year with Jareth Glanda.
ReplyDeleteI think Dileo will again be a reliable 4th receiver, and stat wise outperform his fellow classmates (Jackson, Miller, J.Robinson) however, I think there are enough athletes that Dileo should never be returning kicks. Hayes, V. Smith, Norfleet, Countess just to name a few...
ReplyDeleteCountess will be a starting CB and V. Smith may be the starting RB to start the season so I don't know if we'd want them back there returning kicks over Dileo.
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