The Top Seven Rookie Tight Ends

anakin

tyler_eifertThis is the last, best chance to check all the players based on their talent (this includes intangibles).  In this article, I will analyze my top seven rookie tight ends, their possible teams, and discuss overall skill sets.  As last year’s draft bears witness, there are a lot of things that are unknown to the draft community.  At this time in 2012, running back Chris Polk was considered a top five rookie running back in dynasty leagues until his non-selection in the NFL Draft – this revealed he had more health concerns than were originally known. Here are my top seven tight ends before the NFL Draft:


1.) Tyler Eifert, TE ND

Eifert was one of the few bright spots for the Golden Domers.  He lines up everywhere – in the slot, outside, wingback, or in-line and was set motion often to get the best coverage matchups.  The athletic tight end has some excellent qualities, but blocking doesn’t seem to be one of them. He did well to get in front of his assignments, but most times they just threw him aside like a rag doll.  On the plus side, he attacks the ball at his highest point and fights off physical coverage very well.  Once he has the ball in his hands, he isn’t afraid to break out a spin more and fight for extra yardage with constant leg drive.  The Combine seemed to separate him from Ertz.  As Eifert was the most complete tight end of his class, he would be a good fit for the vertical passing games of the Packers or the Falcons.

2.) Zach Ertz, TE STAN

Ertz led Stanford in receiving from the hybrid tight end spot. He lines up as a tight end, split out wide and occasionally as an H-back. The talented tight end runs sharp, precise routes and plucks the ball out of the air with his large hands.  Ertz gets in defenders way in the run game and is willing to come back to block for his quarterback when the signal caller scrambles. Despite having defensive backs draped all over him, he can find the ball in the air, adjusts to it, and makes the difficult receptions.  Ertz would work well on a team with a strong-armed quarterback who likes to scramble like the 49ers or the Redskins.

3.) Gavin Escobar, TE SD ST

Gavin Escobar is an athletic tight end who reminds me a bit of the Baltimore’s Dennis Pitta. He is not a strong blocker, but is willing to get in the defenders way.  He has soft hands and great leaping ability.  While he isn’t the best tight end in space, he has a bit of a wiggle that he uses to get open, especially on longer routes.  He has tremendous sideline awareness and can find soft spots in coverage.   Escobar catches the ball away from his body in stride which helps him get up the field quicker than most tight ends.   I think the Raiders would be able to use him as they have a huge hole to fill at tight end.

4.) Jordan Reed, TE FLA

Reed is a versatile player as he can line up beside the tackle, in the backfield and split out wide. He shows a willingness to block on running and passing plays, but it is not a strength. The Gator tight end glides more like a wide receiver as he has very quick feet that help him in and out of breaks. Reed shows off his good balance when he hurdles linebackers while he straddled the sideline. As a route runner, he boxes out his coverage and runs exactly where the quarterback anticipates him to be. He has good leaping ability and can catch the ball at its highest point.  Yes, he does remind people of Aaron Hernandez, but he is not as athletic as his older New England counterpart.   Call me a Steelers honk, but I think Reed would be a great fit for a Todd Haley offense.

5.) Vance McDonald, TE RICE

McDonald played mostly as a wingback and in the slot.  He does a decent job run and pass blocking, but lacks the physicality to keep up contact for long.  Once he has the ball in his hands, he has strong leg drive he uses to gain position and power against his would-be tacklers.  McDonald’s efforts from play-to-play can be maddening as he will dig a ball low on a bad pass one play and on the next he will give little to no effort on a running play that isn’t to his side.  The tight end has decent body control, possesses some lateral agility, climbs the ladder to get to the ball, then occasionally fights the ball into his hands.  I like McDonald because he is a bit of a mudder as he can play ugly to get the job done when his head is in the game.  The Browns would be a great fit for him as Norv Turner could design plays to get the ball in his hands.

6.) Travis Kelce, TE CIN

Kelce is a receiver first and a below average blocker despite his inline usage. He can climb the ladder to get to the ball and has a good stutter step that can gain him separation running routes.  He was used as an inline tight end, at wingback and split out wide.  Kelce was at his best out in space with an unhindered release down the field.  I have my doubts he could ever be used other than strictly as a pass catching tight end.  The tight end has a smoothness/glide that makes him hard to tackle.  Kelce would flourish in a pass-first offense, perhaps like Chip Kelly’s spread, quick striking one.

7.) Dion Sims, TE MICH ST

Sims is unlike the other tight ends in his class because he is a blocker first and a receiver second.  He is big, physical and strong at the point of attack.  Despite being on a run-first team, he still managed to make a few plays when he had the ball in his soft hands.  Once Sims has the ball, he is very difficult to bring down as it sometimes took up to three defenders to get him to the ground.  He can catch the ball at its highest point, has very quick feet and can contort his body to make difficult receptions.  Sims is not without his warts as he had some weight and injury issues.  If he can work on those, there is no reason he cannot be his class’ Jermaine Gresham.  Sims could be a nice fit in a run-first offense like Tampa Bay, who desperately needs a physical tight end.

Makes sure to follow me on twitter @AndrewMiley.