Nick O’Leary, Florida State
As a member of the most recent national champions, O’Leary has received more hype than any other tight end in the class. During the season’s first week, he displayed his talents as he scored not once, not twice, but three times against Pitt. O’Leary is a smart, quick route runner that knows how to expose defenses and get open. He is not terrifying after the catch, but so long as he is getting open and catching passes, O’Leary will last at the professional level for a long, long time.
Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
Koyack is the type of tight end that will be his quarterback’s best friend. Whether it be dominating at the catch point or working back to the quarterback, Koyack is always able to bail his quarterback out. Although, Koyack is fairly athletic and understands how to use his body against defenders, allowing him to find ways to be open in poor situations. Koyack is typically lined up in-line, but that is not to say that he can not play as a “heavy” slot or flanker because he is certainly athletic enough. Projecting the rise of prospects is tough, but if any tight end is going to fly up rankings as the season goes on, it is Koyack.
Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
If not anything else, Heuerman is average. He has the versatility to be used either in-line or as a “heavy” slot. From those positions, Heuerman executes his routes, gets open, and catches the pass. It sounds simplistic, but that is who Heuerman is. Heuerman is not one to dominate at the catch point or win with his athleticism after the catch. Likewise, Heuerman is nothing more than average as a blocker.
Gerald Christian, Louisville
Christian is the versatile, athletic tight end that is coveted in today’s spread-heavy NFL. Christian’s combination of size, speed, and power finally came on hot last year as he was one of Teddy Bridgewater’s weapons last year. With the ball in his hands, Christian is a nightmare to stop. His power enabled him to plow over defenders and throw disgusting stiff arms. With another year like last year, Christian could see himself being selected relatively high.
Clive Walford, Miami (FL)
The “in-line” breed of tight ends is slowly dying out, but Walford is a perfect fit for the role. Walford sealed off defenders to create lanes for Duke Johnson, as well as brutalizing defenders if he was assigned to move the man in front of him. Although he thrives as a blocker, Walford is not a reliable receiving tight end. Most importantly, his hands are suspect and he has a tendency to drop simple throws. Walford is also underwhelming in regards to agility and high pointing the ball. As a receiver, Walford is not much of a threat after ten yards past the line of scrimmage.