More Information than you need about the 2012 NFL Draft: Tight Ends’ Edition

Athletic, pass catching tight ends have been on the rise over the past decade plus thanks to the likes of Shannon Sharpe, Tony Gonzalez (really can’t believe he’s still playing), Todd Heap, Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark, Jason Witten and now Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham, Aaron Hernandez, and Rob Gronkowski.  Many teams are now favoring two tight end sets so as to exploit mismatches against safeties and linebackers.

However, just because this is a rising trend in the league does not mean that the top options this year promise to participate in the upswing.  While the athletes lining up for work at tight end are likely better options than in prior decades, none jumps off the page as these players managed to.  My point: look more for an Owen Daniels or a Jacob Tamme in this draft (or a Dustin Keller) than for a set of tight ends to come in and produce 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Numbers marked with an (*) are non-NFL Combine numbers. Statistics released by NFL.com have been given precedence in all matters, although there seem to be significant discrepancies still. This is an attempt to sort out a few of the numbers.

Tight Ends

NAME, School/University: Height & Weight – Arm, Hand Measure;

(Significant Notes).

Forty yard dash [Ten yard split], Three cone drill, Twenty yard shuttle, Sixty yard shuttle; Vertical jump, Broad jump; Bench press at 225 lbs.

Upper Tier

DWAYNE ALLEN,Clemson (Health Science):6’3 255 – 33″, 9.6″;

• (standout high school basketball player, Mackey Award winner, All ACC)
• 4.89 [1.66*], 7.12, 4.37, 12.07; 32″, 110″; 27 reps

JACOBY FLEENER (COBY), Stanford (Science, Technology and Society): 6’6 (6’1.1*) 247 – 33.4″, 10″;

• (All state academic honoree in high school, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Illinois State Scholar)
• 4.52* [4.51*], 7.02*, 4.30*..; 37″*, 116″*; 27 reps

Andrew Luck’s safety valve has decent foot speed, but scouts have noted that he doesn’t attack the ball at its highest point like Rob Gronkowski.  Still, he should receive consideration at the end of the first round, but he seems to be a second round value to me.

ORSON CHARLES, Georgia (Sociology): 6’2 251 – 32.5″ 9.3″;

• (All SEC, SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2010)
• 4.83* [4.75*], 7.29*, 4.75*..; 37″*..; 35 reps

Very impressive bench numbers show not only strength but also endurance.

MICHAEL EGNEW, Missouri: 6’5 252 – 33″, 9.8″;

• (converted receiver)
• 4.62 [1.57*], 7.03, 4.32, 12.07; 36″ (37.5″*), 131″ (135″*); 21 reps

LADARIUS GREEN, UL-Lafayette: 6’6 238 – 34.5″, 10.1″;

• (productive pass catcher in college)
• 4.53 [1.58*], 7.12, 4.47, 12.08; 34.5″ [35.5*], 124″; 16 reps [17 reps*]

DAVID PAULSON, Oregon: 6’3 246 – 32.8″, 10.1″;

• 4.93 (4.70*) [4.69*] [1.65*], 7.18 (6.98*), 4.40 (4.32*), 32″ (33″*), 110″ (113″*); 21 reps

EVAN RODRIGUEZ,Temple:6’1 (6’1.6*) 239 (244*) – 32″, 9.5″;

• (transfer from WVU)
• 4.58 [1.63*], 6.94, 4.28, 11.43; 36″, 119″; 18 reps (19 reps*)

Rodriguez is a tweener who should see the field if he can show versatility playing both on and behind the line.

XIANGDRE RELIFORD (BEAU), Florida State: 6’5 256 – 33.4″, 9″;

NICOLAS PROVO (NICK), Syracuse: 6’3 237 – 31.8″, 9.5″;

UCHECHUKWU IGWENAGU (EMIL), Massachusetts-Amherst: 6’1 249 – 33.1″, 9.3″;

• 4.83, 7.32, 4.40, 11.50; 34.5″, 121″; 19 reps

DRAKE DUNSMORE, Northwestern: 6’2 241 – 32.8″, 9.6″;

• 4.64 [4.53*] [1.58*], 6.73, 4.03, 11.47; 35.5″, 117″; 21 reps

DEANGELO PETERSON, LSU: 6’3 243 – 32.5″, 9.5″;

• (played as a tight end split wide for the Tigers)
• 4.76 [1.59*], 7.19, 4.58*..; 36″, 121″; 18 reps

JAMES HANNA, Oklahoma (Multidisciplinary Studies): 6’4 252 – 33.1″, 9.9″;

• 4.49 [1.59*], 6.76, 4.11, 11.43; 36″, 122″; 24 reps

Hanna’s performance at the draft turned some heads, but I’m not expecting a great amount of production from him.  Those numbers suggest he is a mismatch in pads, but they’re meaningless if they don’t translate to the field.  James will have to correct my ignorance on this matter.

CORY HARKEY, UCLA: 6’4 (6’3.5*) 260 – 32″, 9.4″;

• 5.11 (5.19*) [5.18*] [1.66*], 7.40 (8.00*), 4.69 (4.66*), 12.75; 26.5″ (26″*), 109″; 13 reps (12 reps*)

Harkey could’ve really benefited himself should he have improved on his combine numbers.  As it stands, I expect he goes undrafted.

ADRIEN ROBINSON, Cincinnati: 6’4* 264*

• 4.56* [4.55*], 7.01*, 4.40*..; 39.5″*, 135″*; 15 reps*

BRAD SMELLEY, Alabama: 6’2* 237*

• 4.77*, 7.15*, 4.49*..;..112″*; 13 reps*

Smelley seemed to come up big in the clutch whenever I watched ‘Bama games.  He may not have the size to be a factor in the run game, so he will have to make up for this lack with technique as he’s not a top receiving option.  I still expect him to sneak onto the field early and possibly earn a spot in a camp somewhere.

JOSH CHICHESTER, Louisville: 6’8* 245*

• 4.57*…; 38″*..;

GARRETT CELEK, Michigan State: 6’4.4* 250*

• (brother of Eagles’ Brent Celek)
• 4.71* [4.69*], 7.23*, 4.39*..; 34″*, 119″*; 19 reps*

TAYLOR THOMPSON, SMU: 6’5.9* 259*

• (high school receiver, defensive end at SMU)
• 4.58*, 7.40*, 4.41*..; 37″*, 126″*; 22 reps*

His workout snuck him into Gil Brandt’s top 100 with a low third round/high fourth round grade.

MATT VELDMAN, North Dakota State: 6’7* 256*

• [4.72*]…; [35.5″*]..; [17 reps*]

Upgrade to the running game

Insert images of Jamal Lewis following Sam Gash or Eddie George/Corey Dillon/LaDainian Tomlinson following Lorenzo Neal. Last year Vonta Leach escorted Arian Foster to the rushing title. In short he brings the nasty & this is exactly what is needed when Pittsburgh comes to town. The remaining question is who will complement Rice in the running game. Here’s hoping Jalen Parmele turns in his best Chester Taylor impersonation.

On a thoroughly opposite note, Todd Heap packs up for Arizona and will provide Kevin Kolb with a consistent target. It’s sad to recall that Heap’s best years were spent being led into big hits via Kyle Boller, but it was time for ways to part and no fan should fail to wish him the best. Sad to watch him leave without a ring (oh, and he’s reunited with Joey Porter…which should provide for interesting conversations).

Now Dickson and Pitta need to improve on their blocking to become bigger parts of the offense, but Leach + a few broken tackles by Rice put any questions to the running game on the backs of the O-line and the play calls.