In today’s NFL, having a tight end with elite athleticism is essential to a team’s passing game. Guys like Jimmy Graham, Vernon Davis, and Julius Thomas are matchup nightmares because of their size, speed, and ability to go up and get the football. To big for defensive backs, to fast for linebackers, these undersized power forwards are what NFL teams are looking for in the draft. There isn’t a lot of top level talent in this class, but there are few gems who with the proper coaching, along with hard work, could turn into players.
1. Eric Ebron UNC Jr. 6’4 250 lbs Grade: 1st Round
40 time: 4.60 Bench Press: 24 reps 3 cone: NA Vertical Leap: 32 inches Broad Jump: 10’0
Career Stats: 112 receptions 1,805 yards 16.1 ypc 8 TD
Great size and athleticism that will cause mismatch problems at the next level. Smooth, fluid and polished route runner who creates separation easily. Threatens the seams with his speed, has good run after the catch ability and does a good job finding holes in zone coverage, making himself a clear target for the QB. He has lined up at the traditional TE spot, in the slot, flexed out wide, and been put in motion on the move.
Ebron isn’t a punishing blocker, but is a good positional blocker, very willing, and puts forth great effort. Should get better with coaching. My only concern is his consistency catching the ball in traffic, when contested. At the NFL level, players are bigger, faster, and passing windows are much more smaller. He will have to make plenty more catches in tight spots when contested.
2. Austin Seferian-Jenkins Washington Jr. 6’5 262 lbs Grade: 2nd Round
Bench Press: 20 rep ( Won’t be able to do other drills and tests due to foot injury)
Career Stats: 146 receptions 1,840 yards 12.6 ypc 21 TD
Big body, very athletic, quick and agile for a man his size. When watching him play, you can tell he was a former basketball player. Played football and basketball as a freshman. Played at 285 lbs during the season and showed up at the combine 20 lbs lighter, looked great, but the doctors found a small stress fracture in his foot and he couldn’t perform. How he heals from that injury will ultimately decide where he goes in the draft.
He is a natural hands catcher of the football, plucks the ball out of the air with ease. Solid route runner, knows how to use his body to stack defenders, shielding them off, making an easy open target for QB’s. Is mostly a possession type receiver, but has just enough speed to be a threat down the seams. His height, weight, and basketball background makes him a very good red zone threat. His production declined in 2013 due to poor QB performance and a change in the style of offense. They ran the ball much more, and his good run blocking skills were on display.
3. Troy Niklas Notre Dame rJr. 6’6 270 lbs Grade: 2nd Round
40 time: NA Bench Press: 27 reps 3 cone: 7.57 Vertical Leap: 32 inches Broad Jump: 9’5
Career Stats: 37 receptions 573 yards 15.5 ypc 6 TD
Niklas came to Notre Dame as a DE/OLB , then was switched to TE during spring ball of his sophomore year. He was the 2nd tight end in 2012, the blocker while 2013 first round draft pick Tyler Eifert was the main receiver. He is huge, legit 6’6, long arms, and 270 lbs. Very good run blocker, drives his legs, plays with and edge and to the whistle. Also was used frequently to help in pass protection.
In the passing game he’s more of a possession guy, but flashes the ability to make some plays down the field. Decent route runner who played in a pro style offense. Good soft hands, is confident catching the ball away from his body.His big body makes it tough for defenders to get around him and defend passes. Lacks big time speed and explosion, could have some issues creating separation in the NFL. He has limited time as a TE, still raw, but has the chance to get better with coaching.
4. Jace Amaro Texas Tech Jr. 6’5 265 lbs Grade: 2nd Round
40 time: 4.74 Bench Press: 28 reps 3 cone: 7.42 Vertical Leap: 33 inches Broad Jump: 9’10
Career Stats: 138 receptions 1,818 yards 13 TD
Big time production in a pass friendly offense. Broke the BCS record for receiving yard by a tight end with 1,352 yards. Soft reliable hands, uses his big body well to box out and catch the football. He is a possession receiver, not a vertical threat and does little with the football after the catch. Finds open spots in zone coverage. Spent a lot of time in the slot, much more the inline.
Used plenty as a blocker in the quick screen game, and is a willing blocker who could get better with added strength and coaching. Tested well at the combine, but I didn’t see that athleticism on the field. For a guy his size, he had trouble when jammed coming off of the line, needs to learn to impose his will physically when running his routes to get separation.
5. C.J. Fiedorowicz Iowa Sr. 6’5 265 lbs Grade: 4th round
40 time: 4.76 Bench Press: 25 reps 3 cone: 7.10 Vertical Leap: 31.5 inches Broad Jump: 9’8 inches
Career Stats; 91 receptions 899 yards 9.9 ypc 10 TD
A traditional inline tight end who is a very physical blocker in the run game. Will be able to find time right away as a team’s 2nd TE in their big packages because of his stellar blocking. Big body, knows how to use his frame to stack the defender, providing a decent option for the QB. Catches the ball with ease, makes contested catches as well. Not an elite athlete, isn’t a vertical threat or a guy who gets YAC either.
6. Arthur Lynch Georgia rSr. 6’5 258 lbs Grade: Late 4th round
40 time: 4.82 Bench Press: 28 reps 3 cone: 7.38 Vertical Leap: 29.5 inches Broad Jump: 9’8
Career Stats: 56 receptions 907 16.2 ypc yards 8 TD
A 5th year senior with plenty of experience in the battles of the SEC. A good run blocker with a nasty attitude, I could see him seeing time at fullback in the NFL on teams that use one. Played in a pro style offense at Georgia, lined up inline and at times in the slot. Was able to make some plays down the middle of the field off of play action, and scored a TD for every seven passes that he caught. Had some serious issues dropping wide open passes and contested catches in traffic.
7. A.C. Leonard Tennessee St. Jr. 6’2 252 lbs Grade: Late 4th round
40 time: 4.50 Bench Press: 20 reps 3 cone: NA Vertical Leap: 34 inches Broad Jump: 10’8
Career Stats: 93 receptions 1,313 yards 14.1 ypc 11 TD
A former top 100 recruit out of high school, Leonard attended the University of Florida as a freshman, started four games before transferring to Tennessee St. He had some off the field issues in 2012, but has since been clean from what I know.
Leonard isn’t the traditional tight end, like a majority of the prospects I’ve ranked ahead of him, he’s more in the mold of his former Florida teammate Jordan Reed, who had an impact as a rookie in 2013 before going down with an injury. I can see clearly why he was an SEC recruit out of high school when watching him on film.He has elite athleticism, fast, explosive, and agile. Runs and moves like a wide receiver, catches the ball well, and runs like a running back with the ball in his hands.
He needs to become a much better route runner, got away with sloppy routes due to level of competition. To say he is a horrible blocker is being nice. Showed no effort, for a guy with his strength and athleticism, he should have been burying guys at that level. I really think he has a chance to become a good football player, a steal for a team that will put him in the slot, put him on the move and out in space where he can be a matchup nightmare.
8. Colt Lyerla Oregon Jr. 6’4 242 lbs Grade: Late 5th-Early 6th round
40 time: 4.61 Bench Press: 15 reps 3 cone: NA Vertical Leap: 39 inches Broad Jump: 10’8
Career Stats 34 receptions 565 yards 16.6 ypc 11 TD
Big time football player, with off the field issues that trump his elite talent. Lyerla was arrested on cocaine possession charges and then plead guilty in October 2013. Was suspended for a game by coaching staff for violating team rules, then withdrew from school after only playing in 3 games this past season. Is barred from Oregon campus, had to do his pro day at Portland State University.
Look at his combine numbers, they match exactly what you see on film. Threatens the middle of the field constantly because of his speed and ability to make plays with the ball after catching it. Played running back in high school and it shows when he runs the ball after catching it. Provides a mistmatch because of his combo of size, speed and agility. Tough, willing blocker, which was mandatory in that Oregon scheme.
Needs to work on his route running, and get physically stronger. He has to try to prove to NFL teams that he can stay out of trouble, be a model citizen, and a hard worker. Some teams may have taken him completely off of their boards, but all it takes is one franchise to give him a shot, he’s a potential steal of this draft.
9. Xavier Grimble USC rJr. 6’4 257 lbs Grade: 6th Round
Workout numbers will be updated after his pro day
Career Stats: 69 receptions 730 yards 10.6 11 TD
Has the build of a big wide receiver, is at his best when put in motion or in the slot. Nice route runner who gets open underneath. Has enough speed to makes plays down the seam. A decent red zone threat, 11 TD’s in only 69 receptions. Not much of a blocker, needs to add strength to his body to deal with NFL DE’s and LB’s at the point of attack. Limited college production, but could be a better NFL player.
10. Marcel Jensen Fresno St. rSr 6’6 259 lbs Grade: 7th Round
40 time: 4.85 Bench Press: 24 reps 3 cone: 7.38 Vertical Leap: 35 inches Broad Jump: 9’7
Career Stats: 48 receptions 708 yards 14.8 ypc 8 TD
Prototype, Old School tight end size, with a good basketball background. Was made the all-city team, was the defensive player of the year, and runner up to player of the year as a basketball player as a senior in high school. Has nice soft hands, wasn’t targeted as much as the WR’s in the offense. Should be a much better blocker for a man his size and will have to in order to find time on the field early in his career.
Five others to lookout for: Crockett Gilmore Colorado St., Joe Don Duncan Dixie St., Richard Rogers Cal, Rob Blanchflower UMass, Jacob Pedersen Wisconsin
