Juwan Johnson is going to get all of the headlines in the New Orleans Saints tight end room. When we took a look at the best case and worst case scenarios at the position, both hypotheticals revolved around Johnson. Foster Moreau is the other sure thing at tight end, but it's Jack Stoll that will be the unit's X-Factor.
Stoll's name has flown under the radar, and will likely continue to run under the radar, because he isn't a pass catcher. If the Saints run a run-heavy offense however, Stoll will be integral to the success of the Saints offense.
Jack Stoll has been primarily a run blocker through his career
Stoll has played four years in the NFL and has only recorded 193 receiving yards. Forget four years, it's only taking some tight ends four weeks to get that done. Yardage is only one part of the equation. Stoll isn't even running routes when he's on the field.
Stoll has registered 523 snaps as a route runner, 126 snaps as a pass blocker and 1019 snaps as a run blocker. Over the course of his career, he's been a blocker twice as often as he's been a receiver, and the majority of those blocking snaps came on run plays.
There's no reason to believe that will change in his first year with the Saints. New Orleans just has to be sure not to be predictable. Stoll's presence could easily turn into a tell that a run play is upcoming if there's no variety in his blocking snaps.
Stoll's ability as a blocker leans well into the Saints potential as a run-heavy team and also complements Johnson's skillset. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Saints use a lot of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends.)
Both the Eagles and the Saints ranked top-10 in 12 personnel usage last season. New Orleans has Johnson, Moreau and Stoll on the roster. Putting Stoll in the game with another tight end could also keep the Saints from revealing their hand pre-snap.