In a clash of styles, second-year tight end Crockett Gillmore and rookie Maxx Williams are set to compete for the starting tight end job. In one corner, Gillmore, a 6’6″ monster with middling speed and a mean streak. In the other, Williams, smaller, more athletic and a more fluid receiver. Who will start?

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Let’s take a look, breaking down their resumes, athleticism and skills.

Athleticism

To get an idea of their athleticism, Gillmore’s and Williams’ combine numbers are a good starting point.

Gillmore Williams combine

*Pro Day number

The numbers are close with the exception of straight-line speed, an area in which Williams has a significant lead. Williams actually looks faster on film than his timed speed indicates, while Gillmore doesn’t really impress with his speed. Gillmore, meanwhile, looks stronger than his 18 reps indicate. He probably has gotten significantly stronger while participating in the Ravens’ weight program.

Advantage: Williams (slightly)

Production

Again, Williams and Gillmore are very close in production: surprisingly so, considering Gillmore was considered a blocking tight end in the draft. In Gillmore’s final season at Colorado State, he caught 47 balls for 577 yards and two touchdowns, very solid numbers for a college tight end.

Williams never approached Gillmore’s receptions number, but he provided significantly more big plays, catching 36 balls for 569 yards and eight touchdowns in a run-first scheme. 

Who wins this round depends on what one considers most important. Purely from a fantasy perspective, Williams’ production was more impressive than Gillmore’s, especially considering that Gillmore was a part of a productive passing attack in college (led by third-round pick Garrett Grayson). Still, Gillmore’s ability to consistently produce receptions cannot be ignored.

Advantage: Williams (slightly)

Skillset

Ultimately, each player’s skillset will be the deciding factor in who gets the most reps.

Because the position requires such a diverse skill set (run blocking, pass blocking, receiving), rookies are at an immediate disadvantage. Few rookies tight ends are good enough in all three areas to contribute immediately. Williams has been knocked for his blocking, and though those concerns are overblown, his lack of strength at this point will make him little more than a nuisance to defenders. Williams uses good technique and shows good effort, though, so as he gains strength, he should develop in this area, as Gillmore did last year.

Gillmore, on the other hand, can contribute in all three areas. As a receiver, Gillmore is a natural catcher of the football, using his big (10 3/8″) mitts to reel in the ball. On this 20-yard reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gillmore ran a simple seam route and caught the ball in stride, allowing him to pick up a few extra yards.Gillmore post catch 1

To see this skill in real time, we can go back to Gillmore’s college tape. On this play, Gillmore caught the ball in stride, using his built up speed to get into the end zone for a touchdown. Bonus points for his willingness to lower the boom en route to the end zone as well, something he does on a regular basis.

Gillmore vs San Jose St

Gillmore’s weakness as a receiver is a tendency to run stiff routes. He was at his best last year running seams and flats, routes that don’t require hard cuts, so Gillmore will need to develop into a better route runner to become a true difference maker.

Maxx Williams is surprisingly similar, a stiff route runner who excels at catching the ball in stride and making plays after the catch. The main differences are Williams’ speed and body control, which makes him more of a big play threat. Williams had three catches of 50-plus yards last year, while Gillmore had two such catches over his entire college career. 

Williams also has more contested or highlight-reel catches on his resume, like this gem against Wisconsin: 

Williams vs Wisconsin

And this sideline beauty against UNLV:

Williams vs UNLV

And this miracle against Michigan:

Williams vs Michigan

Williams has better body control to make those contested catches, something “Jump Ball” Joe Flacco should cherish. In fact, Williams should immediately become the Ravens’ best red zone target. Even if the other parts of his game aren’t polished yet, that red zone ability will get him on to the field.

Like Gillmore, Williams is a bit stiff in his routes, not exploding out of his cuts like one would like. While Gillmore has had a season under a professional coaching staff, though, Williams is a rookie, so Gillmore should be considered ahead in terms of routes at this point in their careers.

In sum, these are two very similar players, but Williams better speed and body control make him the better long-term prospect. That said, Gillmore’s blocking and extra year of experience in an NFL offense should help him hold Williams off for longer than most expect.

Advantage: Gillmore (for now)

Starter: Crockett Gillmore

Maxx Williams could very well be the starter by the end of the season. At minimum, expect Williams to play a role similar to what Dennis Pitta did in 2011 when he started to steal targets from then-starter Ed Dickson. At the beginning of the season, though, Gillmore’s blocking and experience will help him earn the starting nod. Both of these guys should turn into valuable players for the Ravens, making the tight end position a potential strength even without Pitta. And with time, Williams has the upside at just 21 years old to become a star.

Shawn Brubaker
Shawn Brubaker

Shawn began his writing career with Bleacher Report as a Ravens featured columnist and Breaking News Team writer. He moved on to write for Yahoo! and work on the Ravens Central Radio podcast. Most recently, he was an Editor at the Baltimore Wire. Shawn is a 2013 graduate of the Catholic University of America.

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