The reason that teams are concerned or excited about a prospect is because there has usually been some ground work and evidence to suggest one of those outcomes. That evidence is looking at former and current players’ successes and failures and comparing them to this year’s crop of franchise changers or busts.
So, by taking a look at which of this year’s top tight ends remind of current NFL players, we can possibly get a good indication and projection of their potential of NFL success.
Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma – Antonio Gates
Since he emerged to dominance in the NFL, scouts and GMs have been searching, almost always unsuccessfully, for a hybrid athlete like Gates.
Like Gates, Gresham has the athletic ability and rarity for guy his size to be a game changer. The reason Gates has been so effective and why Gresham could follow in his footsteps is because they both are too fast for linebackers, too physical for nickel cornerbacks, and too quick for strong safeties.
They can be taken out of a game with some defenses, but then other teammates get the match-ups they need to thrive. Both these players provide more impact on the game than just scoring touchdowns, which they can also do pretty well.
Rob Gronkowski, Arizona – Todd Heap
If it wasn’t for his lingering back injuries and question marks about his long term durability, Gronkowski would be hyped as the most complete tight end to come out in years.
Todd Heap has been that “everything tight end” for the Ravens for 8+ years now, and up until recently was the main bright spot in the passing game. Heap is a sound blocker who is also a great receiver with great body control and consistent hands and route running.
If Gronkowski can become 100 percent early in his career, he could be a perennial Pro Bowler like Heap has been over his career.
Aaron Hernandez, Florida – Dallas Clark
With most of the teams top playmakers at Florida leaving in the 2009 draft, Hernandez stepped up as the teams best passing catching target for the Gators and showed why he is such a threat in the passing game.
While his blocking isn’t up to par with NFL standards, he is an outstanding athlete and pass catcher and is very developed in routes and being a receiver at the tight end position, and has the potential to play in the slot or with a blocking tight end next to him, similar to Dallas Clark.
Anthony McCoy, USC – Jeremy Shockey
Anthony McCoy doesn’t have the athletic ability of Gresham, the blocking ability and completeness of Rob Gronkowski, or the developed pass catching ability of Aaron Hernandez.
But McCoy has a bit of everything in his game and has been a staple for the USC offense to follow along the tradition of solid Trojan tight ends.
Similar to Shockey, McCoy has the ability to be a seam receiver as well as an above average blocker, and while he’s not on Shockey’s potential level, he has a similar skill set that could make him a solid starter.
Jimmy Graham, Miami (FL) – Tony Gonzalez
For such a raw prospect and a guy who needs a lot of development to be a capable starter, teams are very excited with the potential that Jimmy Graham has to offer.
Another former basketball player turned tight end athletic freak, Graham can max out as one of the best tight ends in the game, similar to how Tony Gonzalez has been over his career.
He’ll need to get better with the nuisances of the tight end position (blocking, route running, etc.), but he has the ability to develop quickly and into a star.
Ed Dickson, Oregon – Shawn Nelson
While Shawn Nelson is only one year into his career with the Bills after being taken early in the draft from Southern Miss, these two players are somewhat the future of the tight end position transitioning from college.
Both Nelson and Dickson are receiver-tight end hybrids that aren’t solid blockers at all, but have the ability to be great inside route pass catchers, slot receivers, and red zone targets, providing great versatility from that tight end position.
Andrew Quarless, Penn State – Marcedes Lewis
Many scouts and other draft experts I’ve talked to are undecided on Quarless and whether he can make it in the next level. He’s had a host of off-the-field issues over his career at Penn State, but he has the ability to be a great starter in a few years.
He blocked very well, both inline and in open space, for a guy his size, and plays with a great intensity, similar to Marcedes Lewis. And while Quarless is a better blocker than Lewis coming out, both players have the size and body control to make them great pass catchers in the seam and on the outside.
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