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2015 Tight End Prospects

deljzc

deljzc

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Tight Ends

1. Maxx Williams*, Minnesota (6037, 249#)
Very decent move TE prospect that did a lot of things in college that pro offenses like to do now. Very good hands for the position but is not a plus athlete. Average height/weight/speed/explosion for the position. Could use more strength and is probably a bit undersized/weak to be in-line in the power game. Lack of depth in TE class is probably pushing him up boards a bit. Round 2

2. Jesse James*, Penn State (6070, 261#)
Very good tape vs. UCF. Prototypical height with long arms and catch radius. Would love him to be a step faster, but he has a good understanding of the game. Comes back when the QB scrambles, covers ball up after catch. Reminds me of Heath Miller a bit. Could definitely improve his blocking fundamentals but has the size to get bigger. Not sure what other people are watching but he’s definitely the 2nd best TE in this class and it’s not close. Round 3

3. Tyler Kroft*, Rutgers (6054, 246#)
Very fluid athlete in his routes that often lined up in the slot and plus receiver skills. Can attack most parts of the field with his route running, size and length. Size to be a decent in-line blocker but is very weak and needs much better weight room effort/time investment. Overall he’s a very good underclassman prospect that could develop into a good contributing TE player. Round 3-4

4. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame (6047, 255#)
Not a great athlete and will not threaten that much downfield, but is pretty solid as a move TE prospect in the 0-15 yard box. Shows good effort and blocking skills. Can take advantage of defense in the pass game if ignored a bit and can be sneaky in setting up routes. Round 4

5. Blake Bell, Oklahoma (6062, 252#)
Developmental in-line TE prospect that has nice size and frame to gain weight/strength and improve blocking skills. Good footwork. Is probably never going to be great enough in his pass routes to earn a roster spot on that alone and would be best to develop the power game. Round 5

6. Clive Walford, Miami (6040, 251#)
Was not very impressed with tape. Nothing really stands out. Not overly tall/length. Average speed and COD. Decent jump numbers. Fundamentals were a bit sloppy and not a plus hand catcher. Round 5

7. Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State (6051, 254#)
Not nearly as physical as I’d like from the position. Can miss blocks and be knocked back on contact. Fluid in his seem routes and can be effective if given free release from an in-line position. Average speed and athleticism. Round 5

8. MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois (6022, 251#)
Undersized and will play more of a move TE/HB roll in the NFL. Too short and no length will prevent a lot of plus work as an in-line player. Film is average. Decent run skills after the catch and runs with power and leverage. His size/length/speed just really limits his ability to threaten certain parts of the field. Round 5

9. Wes Sexton, South Alabama (6033, 248#)
Faster, athletic TE/HB/WR player that was very productive in small, southern conference. His ability to play special teams might determine his roster fate and could be okay to carry as a 3rd TE early in career. Used as a move player or in slot and predominantly attacked underneath zones in his offensive system. Fluid moves in space. Round 5-6

10. Nick O’Leary, Florida State (6032, 252#)
Move/FB type prospect that shows some grit/toughness in the blocking game. Very average in pass game and his combine shows very poor athleticism. Good hands and can do a lot of dirty work on the football field but the jump in speed/athleticism is going to expose him a bit. Round 6

11. Nick Boyle, Delaware (6044, 268#)
Big, bottom heavy TE prospect that looks like a thin offensive lineman in shorts. Will have to find his role as a superior blocking TE at the next level as his speed is below average and will limit his ability in the pass game. Round 6-7

12. Casey Pierce, Kent State (6032, 244#)
Tough, H-back type that could develop into a nice lead blocker. Very good move skills for his size and has good feet to make the block. Routes will be limited to flat routes, underneath stuff. Round 7

13. C.J. Uzomah, Auburn (6056, 262#)
Don’t think he got a lot of playing time in Auburn’s system. Non-combine invitee that had an impressive pro day and made people look for tape. Very much a developmental project. Round 7-FA
 
I am thinking round 4 and beyond for this underwhelming TE class. Some based off need some based off that group just isn't that impressive.

Thanks for the write-up, always appreciated............
 
TE shouldn't be adressed early with so few good prospects, maybe Koyack late in the 4th if no decent CB/OLB is left on the board
 
Haeurmann id rd 4. He will develop nicely
 
oh and thanks for the research Deljzc
 
It is always interesting to get others perspective on players. I personally think Jesse James is a 2nd round talent but because of his poor hands, routes, and doesn't look like a natural pass catcher. He disappeared in several games from the passing attack. I think he's probably a Leonard Pope kind of player. Blocker who might be an ok red zone match up threat. I rank him about 4th round. Now if he put it together and played to his potential he could be a steal. But I feel his body of work does not merit a very high pick.

Now Nick O'Leary I also have as a late 3rd or 4th round pick. He has a spec of talent but the guy does everything you ask of him and is just a natural football player. If you would put his head on James body he'd be a top ten pick. So O'Leary has very limited upside but a very high floor as well with probably being a starter or quality backup at worst.

I agree on Koyack. I think he is a mix of James and O'Leary and would like to get him in the 4th round if O'Leary is gone.
 
I agree it would be nice to add a great tight end on the team but if the best this year is so middle of the road is it not possible that we already have that level of talent on the team? Why waste a draft pick on a guy that is not likely to be better than what is already on the practice squad. I would sooner spend the late picks on guys with character issues and see if they can be corrected because their talent helps the team. Most of these guys will be picked ahead of their value and they really are all projects for what the Steelers do, we might be better off teaching Adams to catch he is already on the roster and can block much better than these guys already....sarcasm alert for those that did not pick up on it.
 
I think Jesse James will be our 4'th round pick if he's there.
 
Wingman said:
I agree it would be nice to add a great tight end on the team but if the best this year is so middle of the road is it not possible that we already have that level of talent on the team? Why waste a draft pick on a guy that is not likely to be better than what is already on the practice squad. I would sooner spend the late picks on guys with character issues and see if they can be corrected because their talent helps the team. Most of these guys will be picked ahead of their value and they really are all projects for what the Steelers do, we might be better off teaching Adams to catch he is already on the roster and can block much better than these guys already....sarcasm alert for those that did not pick up on it.
Click to expand...


Excellent POST. The part of allready have that talent, equal to who we would draft, is right on. Why draft talent of equal value????? We have bigger needs than that. If a top three isn't there, then pass, litterally. Karma, but IT WON"T LET ME

Thanks for the write up Deljzc, as usual you put a lot of effort and time in these. I for appreciate them imensly.



Salute the nation
 
We signed Spaeth for two more years - we don't need those guys
 
I don't understand why James is not rated higher, especially not in this TE class. James is 6'7 and tested out extremely well. He has an over 50 sparq score. He's one of the best blockers in the TE class and has good success as a receiver. He's not an explosive receiver but who is in this class? Nobody. Not even Maxx Williams is what you'd call explosive.

James seems to be an example of bias. Scouts see a big white TE who can block and they rate him as slow and un-athletic. They are expecting the combine to back that up.

The other think with James is his freshman film may be his best as a receiver. That was in Bill O'Brien's offense with Matt McGloin at QB. The next year, was with freshman QB Hackenberg and Hack tended to lock onto Allen Robinson.

Last year Hack was a soph, but the OL was garbage, there was no run game at all, and the WRs had no experience at all. It was also a new offense under James Franklin that did not use the TE as much. TE's had to stay in to block to compensate for the horrible OL.
 
"bump"

good call Del !
 
nevermind - we just got Spaeth's replacement!

woo-hoo!
 
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