More Two-TE Sets From Gary Kubiak Put Crockett Gilmore on the Dynasty Radar
Alex Dunlap, RosterWatch.com

Listeners of RosterWatch have heard for months on the Sirius XM airwaves that we expect a bounce-back year out of Ravens RB Ray Rice, due in large part to the integration of new OC Gary Kubiak’s offense, a run-oriented system utilizing the zone-blocking scheme.

As Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report points out this week, though, the ZBS isn’t the only new wrinkle Kubiak will be bringing to Charm City. Pompei has confirmed, as we’ve expected all along, that the Ravens will utilize numerous two-tight-end sets in the 2014 run game, and presumably, get the tight ends involved in quick-hitting extensions of the run on passing downs.

The redraft leaguers in us like this for Dennis Pitta’s value – a player who had his real “shot” at breaking out in 2013 ruined due to season-ending surgery. Owen Daniels is also on the roster, a broken-down, 31-year-old tight end who Kubiak is extremely familiar with from their shared time in Houston.

And then there’s Crockett Gilmore.

And the ultimate redemption for us here at RosterWatch. After hyping Gilmore up (loudly) to all who would listen during the draft process – and being usually met with blank stares – the Ravens used a valuable third-round pick on the Colorado State TE, one of our favorite prospects we scouted in 2014. Gilmore can do it all – block, get open, play a decoy, separate and snatch the ball. He’s an ex-wrestler who is country-strong in the way he positions his body and makes use of leverage in most every phase – especially the red zone. In short, he’s the type of player we’ve learned Gary Kubiak loves.

We’re not expecting much redraft sizzle from Gilmore in the 2014 season, but in PPR leagues, we are becoming comfortable looking at Gilmore in the third-round or so of rookie drafts as a player clearly positioned to step into Owen Daniels’ role when his tread finally wears off – which could happen at any second moving forward.

We were the first to tell you to get Gilmore on your NFL draft radar, and now we’re happy to be the first to float the idea that he should be on your dynasty radars as well. Coming into the 2015 season, we’re likely to be talking about a guy poised for a Top 10 year at the position.