My
favorite position in football is the tight
end. I believe when used correctly, the tight end can be the
biggest weapon for a team. For so long, the tight end has been
basically the sixth offensive linemen. Today, however, more and
more NFL teams are turning its tight end to be its receiving
threat. The Chargers have Antonio Gates, the Chiefs have
Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons have Alge Crumpler, the Giants have Jeremy
Shockey. I hope you seem to get the picture: the
tight end position is becoming more popular than ever.
This is what makes this NFL Draft so special! I believe this is
the best group of talent at the tight end position ever! Let me
give you an idea on how good this class is. Heath Miller, the
tight end for the Steelers was the first tight end drafted last
year. He was the 30th pick. Miller’s rookie season was very
impressive. Besides being in the Super Bowl, Miller had six
touchdown receptions, and tied for second for the offensive rookie
award. Yet, despite all his accomplishments, I believe Miller
probably would have been the fourth tight end drafted this
year.
I believe Vernon Davis from Maryland, Marcedes Lewis from UCLA, and
Leonard Pope from Georgia all would have been drafted over
Miller. This is nothing negative toward Miller. I think
Heath is a terrific player and will be on of the top tight ends in the
league for years to come, but I just think these three are just that
good. However, these three are not the only good tight ends in
the draft. I believe Anthony Fasano from Notre Dame and Joe
Klopfenstein from Colorado will be 2nd round picks.
Below I show my rankings of the top ten tight ends and projected draft
round.
1. Vernon Davis- Maryland, 6-3, 253 lbs—1st round
2. Marcedes Lewis- UCLA, 6-6, 255 lbs—1st round
3. Leonard Pope- Georgia, 6-7, 250 lbs—1st round
4. Anthony Fasano- Notre Dame, 6-5, 255 lbs—2nd
round
5. Joe Klopfenstein- Colorado, 6-6, 245 lbs—2nd
round
6. Dominique Byrd- USC, 6-3, 260 lbs—3rd round
7. Timothy Day- Oregon, 6-4, 268 lbs—3rd round
8. David Thomas- Texas, 6-3, 245 lbs---4th round
9. Jeff King- Virginia Tech, 6-5, 253 lbs—4th round
10. TJ Williams- NC State, 6-3, 240 lbs—5th round
What is more amazing about this list, I did not even include the NCAA
reception leaders for all tight ends: Garrett Mills-Tulsa, 6-2,
232 lbs, who is a bit small for an NFL TE. Some experts are
projecting him to be a fullback. I believe he could be a great
H-Back, just like Chris Cooley of the Redskins.
Other tight ends that probably will get drafted: Owen Daniels-
Wisconsin, Joe Newton- Oregon State, Tim Massaquoi- Michigan, and
Charles Davis- Purdue.
Not only are these players going to get drafted high, but they will
make an immediate impact for whichever NFL team drafts them. The
top three tight ends will be starters immediately, and Fasano and
Klopfenstein also may start. A tight end is a quarterback’s
favorite target and NFL coaches are realizing this. Everybody
remembers the quarterback class of 1983, well in ten years I believe
everybody will remember that 2006 was the year of the tight end. |
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Vernon Davis
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Marcedes Lewis
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Leonard Pope
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Anthony Fasano
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Joe Klopfenstein
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