5. Colt Lyerla, Formerly of Oregon
Before you say anything, yes I know about him leaving Oregon’s program and yes I know about his cocaine arrest. That being said, this kid has all the ability you want out of a tight end. He is as explosive as anyone in his receiving ability and can make big plays all game long. He has good hand-eye coordination and is tough to bring down after the catch. He has good agility for a man his size and can make people miss in space. He is built in the new breed of tight end who are really just bigger wide receivers. Lyerla needs to work on his blocking and add some weight before he plays in the NFL. Lyerla is certainly a risk with his off-field incidents and the combine and interview process will be critical for him. He isn’t the type of guy you take in the first couple of rounds, but if you take him in the mid-rounds and can keep him clean, you have yourself one heck of a steal.
4. CJ. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
Fiedorowicz is a very well rounded tight end. He has good versatility in the passing game as well as in his blocking. He has the ability to get down field past defenders and shows soft hands and good body control when he does. He has the ability to make an impact blocking in the run game as well as the passing game. Whoever drafts Fiedorowicz will be getting an all-around player. Fiedorowicz has played well this year, already catching four touchdowns, one of which was a game winner against Northwestern. Fiedorowicz reminds me of Heath Miller. A bigger tight end who isn’t blazing fast, but has good hands, is tough, can move the chains and block.
3. Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
Amaro has been absolutely fantastic this season for the Red Raiders. He has been running around and by defenders all season.
Amaro is fast for a tight end and a good route runner. He is a mismatch against virtually any linebacker or safety. Amaro is a good athlete who uses his body well to get position and uses his hands well when catching the ball.
He is smooth in and out of cuts helping him get open. He runs with power and toughness after the catch, making him difficult to bring down.
The only problems with Amaro are that he mainly lines up in the slot and won’t be a fit for all teams in the NFL unless he bulks up some.
2. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
Seferian-Jenkins played basketball as well as football at Washington and we know how well other tight ends who have that same background have worked out. Seferian-Jenkins has the size to be able to make an impact in the blocking game, but still has the speed to be able to get down the field and make plays. His basketball background has given him the ability to know how to use his body to block out the defender, go up at its highest point and make a play on the ball. His numbers have been disappointing this season so far, but Washington has running the ball more and Seferian-Jenkins says he has been working on his blocking this season. Before the season he got a DUI and was suspended, but with that being his only off-field incident it shouldn’t hurt his draft stock any.
1. Eric Ebron, North Carolina
Ebron has flown up draft boards this season and is looking like a top 20 lock. He has the size and the speed that make him a mismatch against virtually anyone on the field.
He has beaten defenses all year long for the Tarheels. Ebron is able to split out wide and beat smaller corners and he is able to go up the middle beat slower linebackers and safeties.
Ebron has improved his blocking this season too, showing strength and aggression at the point of attack. He has the speed to run by defenders, but also has shown the power to run defenders over. Ebron still needs to become more reliable catching easy passes, seeing as he will let some bounce right off his hands and he still needs to improve his blocking, but his physical skills warrant a mid-first round pick.