This year’s rookie class of tight ends isn’t the deepest class, but unlike most year’s this one has plenty of two-way traditional tight ends. Traditional tight ends tend to see the field a lot more as they are good at blocking and catching the ball, so they have use on every down. There is a good chance that two or three of these players will not see the field right away as sometimes tight ends struggle as they need to perform well in two worlds. This is a quick peak as to where I feel they compare against each other and this may change dramatically after the NFL Draft. To get more detailed insights, please read their individual scouting reports.
1. Eric Ebron, North Carolina
He is my favorite tight end of this class. Ebron has a big catch radius, great hands, and lines up all over the field. The tight end dealt with double teams his entire college career and was still highly productive. Even though he plays like a big receiver, Ebron can block well enough to stay on the field three downs. He could vault up to a dynasty TE1 this year.
2. Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
This is the first “Joker” tight end as he cannot block very well. He is the best route runner in his class, but then again Amaro probably ran the most routes of any tight end on this list. Amaro adjusts well to the ball in the air and doesn’t need much separation to make difficult catches in the middle of the field. The tight end did not have much of an impeded line of scrimmage, so it will be interesting to see how he adjusts in the NFL.
3. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
His broken foot is a concern as he was unable to workout early in the draft process. ASJ has a good blend of Ebron’s physicality/athleticism and Amaro’s ball hawk skills. What concerns me is his stiffness as he seems to lumber around at times. I wish I saw more of the explosion and power that he displayed when he appeared on the other side of the ball as a defensive end, rushing the passer.
4. Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
Out of all the game tape I watched, he seemed to block more than anyone on this list. Niklas is a high motor/high effort player who showed it on every single play. He is a good red zone threat and has a certain nastiness to his game. The tight end is a massive 6′ 6″ 270 lbs. and can only get better. Niklas may have the highest upside of anyone in his class.
5. CJ Fiedorowicz, Iowa
The tight end catches the ball well with his hands and is athletic enough to maneuver around linebackers and stiffer defensive backs. He reminds me quite a bit of Mercedes Lewis, the Jacksonville Jaguars tight end who is a better blocker than receiver. Fiedorowicz could be a successful on the line tight end who should be a solid, but unspectacular receiving option.
6. Crockett Gilmore, Colorado State
Perhaps the most traveled tight end on the all-star game circuit, Gilmore showed that his adaptability coming in late to the Senior Bowl and being effective. He is a good blocker with soft hands, who can sneak behind a defense. The tight end isn’t super athletic, but has a good motor. Gilmore is another defensive end conversion project, so he is a bit on the raw side.
7. JD Duncan, Dixie State
Speaking of a raw athlete, you don’t have to go any further than Dixie State’s Duncan. The tight end is very athletic and dominated his lesser college competition. His injuries in the pre-draft process have made it very difficult to compare him to NFL level talent. Duncan is a high upside pick that might take a few seasons to figure out his true worth.
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