2010 Tight End Rankings

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In the overall scheme of things, the 2010 NFL Draft is not a great year for tight ends. In fact there’s a possibility not a single player at the position is selected in the first round. Injuries will play a factor as will the fact several of the top prospects are one-dimensional pass catchers. At most we see five potential next level starters in this year’s class. (updated: 2/6/2010)

Rank	Rnd	Name	Analysis
1	1-2	Anthony McCoy USC	Developing tight end with a nice upside. Fluid, athletic and gets into the secondary as a receiver. Gives effort blocking and blocks with great fundamentals. Coming off a terrific senior season and a top 40 selection.
2	1-2	Jermaine Gresham Oklahoma	Amazing athlete with a tremendous combination of size and speed. Consistently makes plays in the secondary and an awesome target for his passer. Need to improve the consistency of his hands.
3	2nd	Aaron Hernandez Florida	Terrific pass catcher who's really grown into the position. Gives effort as a blocker. Lacks classic size.
4	2nd	Ed Dickson Oregon	Solid pass catching tight end with reliable hands. One-dimensional and has very limited strength but has been productive and comes with an upside.
5	2nd	Rob Gronkowski Arizona	Terrific junior prospect that does a great job catching the ball and gives effort blocking. Sat on the sidelines all of 2009 with a back injury. Great prospect if his back checks out.
6	3rd	Colin Peek Alabama	Georgia Tech transfer whose game has really taken off this season.
7	3-4	James Graham Miami-Fl
8	4th	Dorin Dickerson Pittsburgh	Tremendous pass catching tight end coming off a great season. Poor ht/wt numbers will limit the number of systems he can play in.
9	5th	Michael Hoomanawanui Illinois	Terrific pass catching tight end with good size. Sells routes, displays sharpness into breaks and consistently catches the ball with his hands. Adequate speed and the ability to make plays into the secondary. Possesses the strength necessary to block at the next level yet must pick up his blocking intensity. Solid top 100 pick in 2010.
10	5-6	Garrett Graham Wisconsin	Solid pass catching tight end that also displays ability as an in-line blocker. Lacks the speed to be a downfield threat and more of a number two at the position. Played well as a senior and elevated his draft stock.
11	6th	Dennis Pitta BYU	Terrific pass catching tight end with average size and speed.
12	6-7	Nate Byham Pittsburgh	Strong, powerful blocking tight end who does an effective job as a short range passer. Mid-to-late round pick in the '10 draft yet a tight end that specializes in blocking which could keep him in the league for years.
13	7th	Nathan Overbay Eastern Washington
14	7th	Steve Maneri Temple	Massive tight end who could be given looks at offensive tackle in the NFL. Nothing more than a short range target for the passing game.
15	7th	Dedrick Epps Miami-Fl	Athletic tight end that flashes skill in all aspects of the position. Needs to play at a consistently high level but has an upside,
16	7-FA	Jameson Konz Kent State	Athletically gifted prospect who made a successful transition from the defensive line to tight end. Projects as a move tight end in the NFL but a developmental prospect likely to end up on the practice squad.
17	7-FA	Andrew Quarless Penn State	Solid blocker who holds his own on the line of scrimmage. Not a big part of the passing game though he displayed solid hands early in his PSU career.
18	7-FA	Clay Harbor Missouri State	Outstanding pass catching tight end who looks like a large receiver on the field.
19	7-FA	Riar Geer Colorado	Solid pass catching tight end who runs nice routes and displays the ability to make plays in the secondary on a consistent basis.
20	FA	Tony Moeaki Iowa	Solid pass catcher who nicely extends his hands offering the quarterback a good target and adjusts to the errant throw. Makes the difficult reception running laterally. Marginal blocker with limited strength.
21	FA	Richard Dickson LSU	Hard working tight end who may get looks at fullback. Solid pass catcher who possesses natural receiving skills. Blocks with solid fundamentals yet must add bulk and improve his strength.
22	FA	Cody Slate Marshall	Smallish tight end/H-back who does not stand out in any single aspect of the game. Improved as a senior but will only fit certain systems.
23	FA	Jaron Mastrud Kansas State	Adequate blocker with no single outstanding skill to his game. Neither fast nor really strong.
24	FA	Brody Eldridge Oklahoma	Hard working tight end who shows a lot of ability as a blocker. May have a future as an offensive lineman.
25	FA	Jim Dray Stanford	Hard working tight end with marginal strength at the point.
26	FA	Logan Paulsen UCLA	Nice sized tight end with a reliable game. Underrated and could turn into a solid number three.
27	FA	Michael Palmer Clemson	Adequate pass catching tight end with minimal blocking skills and strength.
28	FA	Mickey Schuler Penn State	Solid pass catching tight end with marginal size/speed numbers.
29	FA	Jake Ballard Ohio State	Hard working tight end yet a limited athlete with marginal upside.
30	FA	Greg Boone Virginia Tech	Strong blocking tight end who holds his own against defensive lineman. Turns opponents off the line or gets out to the second level and annihilates linebackers. Rarely part of the passing offense.
31	FA	Steven Pfahler Montana	Solid blocker and effective short range target.
32	FA	Jonathan Hannah Texas Southern	Former Florida State transfer. Good athlete but far from the polished product.
33	FA	Michael Caussin James Madison	Underrated prospect who could surprise at the next level.
34	FA	Warren Matthews Southern	Good athlete with decent upside. Practice squad player to watch.
35	FA	Jason Harmon Florida Atlantic	Smallish tight end who looks like a possession wide out. Makes the difficult catch and gives effort blocking. Offers potential as a move tight end.
36	FA	Scott Sicko New Hampshire	Record setting pass catcher who could play as a move tight end in the NFL.
37	FA	Richard Gordon Miami-Fl	Relatively athletic tight end with good pass catching hands. Must become more aware of his surroundings but has an upside.
38	FA	Ryan Moya UCLA	Explosive hard working blocker with marginal size/speed numbers. College tight end who could make the transition to fullback.
39	FA	Chris Gronkowski Arizona	Hybrid TE/FB who gives good effort. Explosive at the point and plays with good pad level.
40	FA	Caz Piurowski Florida State	Solid athlete who displays flashes. Solid seal blocker with adequate hands. Must turn up all aspects of his game.
41	FA	Gerald Harris Mississippi	Adequate blocker with solid hands as a short range target. Possible third tight end in the NFL.
42	FA	Daniel Beaudin Montana
43	FA	Jeff Cumberland Illinois	Large framed pass catcher who could be used as a move tight end or possibly slot receiver. Solid pass catcher who must pick up the intensity blocking.
44	FA	Dajleon Farr Memphis	Terrific athlete that's seen limited playing time. Practice squad prospect with a high upside.
45	FA	Tommy Trott Auburn	Pass catching tight end with marginal speed and size.
46	FA	TC Drake Kentucky	Adequate pass catching with marginal speed/strength.
47	FA	Kazeem Alli Cincinnati	Adequately sized tight end with above average speed. Offers a nice upside.
48	FA	Andrew George BYU	Limited athlete with potential as a third/blocking tight end at the next level.
49	FA	Jamari Grant Florida Atlantic	Tallish tight end/receiver type who catches the ball well. Blocks with leverage and has the ability to make plays in the secondary.
50	FA	Jeff Cottam Tennessee
51	FA	Larry Hedden Furman
52	FA	Mike Owen Syracuse	Underrated tight end with the skills to play in the NFL. Quick, works blocks hard and plays fast. Reliable hands and someone to monitor.
53	FA	Gabe McKenzie Auburn	Small area target who does an effective job as a blocker.
54	FA	J.T. Jordan Arkansas State	Short, wide bodied tight end/H-back who must pick up all levels of play this season.
55	FA	Jesson Salyards Wyoming

Updated 2/21

Rank	Rnd	Name	Pos	Year
1	1st	Ndamukong Suh Nebraska	DT	5Sr
2	1st	Eric Berry Tennessee	S	3Jr
3	1st	Gerald McCoy Oklahoma	DT	4Jr
4	1st	Russell Okung Oklahoma State	T	4Sr
5	1st	Joe Haden Florida	CB	3Jr
6	1st	Dez Bryant Oklahoma State	WR	3Jr
7	1st	Anthony Davis Rutgers	T	3Jr
8	1st	Jason Pierre-Paul South Florida	DE	3Jr
9	1st	Bruce Campbell Maryland	T	3Jr
10	1st	Derrick Morgan Georgia Tech	DE	3Jr
11	1st	Brian Price UCLA	DT	3Jr
12	1st	Damian Williams USC	WR	4Jr
13	1st	Rolando McClain Alabama	ILB	3Jr
14	1st	Earl Thomas Texas	S	3So
15	1st	Dan Williams Tennessee	DT	5Sr
16	1st	Sam Bradford Oklahoma	QB	4Jr
17	1st	Sergio Kindle Texas	OLB	4Sr
18	1-2	Mike Iupati Idaho	G	4Sr
19	1st	Taylor Mays USC	S	4Sr
20	1st	Bryan Bulaga Iowa	T	3Jr
21	1-2	Demaryius Thomas Georgia Tech	WR	4Jr
22	1-2	Brandon Graham Michigan	DE	4Sr
23	1st	Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame	QB	4Jr
24	1st	Jared Odrick Penn State	DT	4Sr
25	1-2	Arrelious Benn Illinois	WR	3Jr

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