Jets Waive Ochi, add TE Eric Tomlinson

By Glenn Naughton Posted On November 5, 2016

By Glenn Naughton

In need of a blocking tight end with Kellen Davis nursing a hyper-extended elbow, the New York Jets have waived outside linebacker Victor Ochi and added former Texans tight end Eric Tomlinson from Houston’s practice squad.

We have signed TE Eric Tomlinson off Houston’s practice squad and waived OLB Victor Ochi. pic.twitter.com/52LLnTESfk

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 5, 2016

NFL.com had this to say about Tomlinson, a 6′ 6”, 263 lb Texas-El Paso product.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Big-bodied blocker. Has room for more weight on his frame. Takes good initial step to secure leverage as a run blocker. Shows ability to recover and wash defender down and out of play. Has functional upper-body power and can sustain his in-line blocks.

WEAKNESSES

Slow, plodding release off the line of scrimmage and into his routes. Doesn’t have athleticism to shake defender in man coverage. Needs to keep running feet through contact as drive blocker. Improvement needed with his angles and accuracy on second-level blocks.

BOTTOM LINE

Limited tight end who was primarily used as a blocker in college. Tomlinson will have to prove to teams that he has premium ability to develop as an in-line blocker because it is unlikely that most teams will view him as a combo tight end once they study the tape.

With Davis out and Austin Seferian-Jenkins recently missing time with a balky ankle, the Jets were even thinner than usual at the tight end position.

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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