If Ripkowski shows he can in-line block against NFL players he'll have made a very strong case for making the roster.
That would qualify him as H-back...lead back, short yardage runner, catch some, in-line blocking TE.
It's pretty clear this guy was a good lead blocker and short yardage runner against some top competition. Beyond the sledgehammer plays, I'm equally impressed with the seal blocks where he stands up OLBs/DEs in that tape...there's a lot of technique in those blocks to go with the aggression.
However, traditional fullback skills alone as a backup behind Kuhn may not be enough.
When looking at the TEs, I think we can call Quarless and Rodgers merely serviceable in-line blockers. Backman is in the same mold. Perillo looks like he should be a sound blocker, but he just had not put it together sufficiently to step over Bostick, another guy with questionable blocking skills; he's squarely on the bubble. The only other TE on the roster is the UDFA Mitchell Henry. While admittedly knowing little about him, the nfl.com scouting report identified play strength as a weakness.
In short, there isn't anybody in the TE group I can point to as a strong in-line blocker. I think that's where Ripkowski can seal a job.
It's also important to consider the 7 blocked kicks last season. While I'd put at least one of those on Crosby, it's pretty clear that blocking for kicks was a serious problem. I think it's fair to say it was Slocum's tipping point. Ripkowski would be an upgrade to that unit.
If he can avoid concussions, I think he makes the roster as a multi-tool H-back.
