NFL Draft 2011: Ten Best NFL Tight End Draft Prospects
NFL Draft is Thin at Tight End This Year
No.10. Zack Pianalto- North Carolina
Zach Pianalto is soaring up the NFL Draft charts as the NFL Combine draws closer. Pianalto is a big man, 6'4" and 252 pounds of heavy duty, hard hitting tight end. Pianalto is the new type of tight end. A big banger with surprising speed and great hands for such a big tight end. Zack Pianalto will be drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
No.9. Kyle Adams: Purdue Boilermakers
Kyle Adams will be a surprise to many because he has not done much with the Purdue Boilermakers. Adams is another big tight end at 6'4" and 250 pounds and is a double threat at the tight end position. He is a great blocker that can release and run short passing patterns over the middle. Kyle Adams will be drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
No.8. Schuylar Oordt: Northern Iowa
Schuylar Oordt is a player that will be talked about at the NFL Combine and the lead up to the NFL Draft. Oordt is a tall tight end with exceptional hands and quick feet. The 6' 7" 245 pound tight end plays like a wide receiver and was used on deep out routes for Northern Iowa. Schuylar Oordt will be drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
No.7. Rob Housler: Florida Atlantic
At 6' 5" and 215 pounds Rob Housler looks and plays more like a wide receiver. If Housler wants to make an NFL roster he will have to bulk up but he is the fastest tight end in the NFL Draft and the best pure route runner in the draft. Housler has great instincts when one on one against a cornerback and has been known to fake them out of their shoes. Rob Housler will be drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
No.6. Mike McNeil: Nebraska Cornhuskers
Mike McNeil is 6' 4" and 237 pounds and he is decent blocker in run blocking situations. McNeil is a great open field runner after the catch but he has struggled in the pass catching department. McNeil has tremendous upside and any team that drafts him will already have a plan to make him a solid pass catcher. Mike McNeil will be drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
No.5. Cameron Graham: Louisville Cardinals
Cameron Graham is the slowest tight end in the top ten draft prospects. The 6' 4" 255 pound Graham is slow off the line but he is a good run blocking tight end. What Graham lacks in speed he makes up for with his exceptional pass catching skills and his ability to bulldoze defenders in his path after the catch. Cameron Graham will be drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
No.4. Lance Kendricks: Wisconsin Badgers
Flying under the radar in Wisconsin is Lance Kendricks of the Wisconsin Badgers. Kendricks is another tight end that can increase his value with a good NFL Combine. Kendricks didn't see much action in the Wisconsin Badgers run first offense but he is a top five draft pick at his position just the same. Kendricks has good speed for a big man and his is a smart route runner with good running skills after the catch. Lance Kendricks will be drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft.
No.3. DJ Williams: Arkansas Razorbacks
Depending on who's list is taken seriously DJ Williams may be taken as high as the first tight end in the NFL Draft. On this list he ranks third after Kyle Rudolph declared for the draft and behind Luke Stocker. Williams is the right size for the position at 6' 2" and 250 pounds and is a good blocker as well as great pass catcher.
DJ Williams learned his position in a pro style offense with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Williams was a big target for Ryan Mallet over the middle and he will be successful in that role in the NFL. Williams is another NFL Draft prospect that is a good route runner with exceptional breakaway speed after the catch. DJ Williams will be drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft.
No.2. Luke Stocker: Tennessee Volunteers
Luke Stocker's NFL Draft value is fluctuating on a daily basis. As the NFL Combine approaches, Stocker is ranked as the number two tight end available in the NFL Draft. Stocker is the best blocking tight end of the top ten and he is the immovable force on run plays to his side of the field.
Stocker is also at his best when he is matched up with linebackers over the middle. The 6' 6" 253 pound Stocker strikes fear in opposing linebackers and safeties looking to drag him down after the catch. Luke Stocker will be drafted in the early second round of the NFL Draft.
No.1. Kyle Rudolph: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The best tight end available in the NFL Draft is also the one of the most intimidating. Kyle Rudolph is 6' 6" and 260 pounds and is considered one of the best all around NFL tight end prospect in several years. Rudolph enters the NFL Draft rested after suffering a hamstring injury towards the end of the season.
Rudolph is not the quickest tight end on the board but he makes up for it with his football smarts and his superior route running skills. Rudolph is dangerous when catching balls over the middle and he is not afraid to deliver blows to his defenders as he runs after the catch. Kyle Rudolph will be drafted in the early second or late first round of the NFL Draft.
More from Yahoo Contributor Network:
NFL Draft 2011: Ten Best NFL Quarterback Draft Prospects
NFL Draft 2011: Ten Best NFL Running Back Draft Prospects
NFL Draft 2011: Ten Best NFL Wide Receiver Draft Prospects
Statistical sources:
Published by Todd Jacobs
Todd Jacobs is from Anaheim, California and resides in the city of Las Vegas. Todd worked for Orange Coast Magazine as News Editor in the 80s and recently began writing for several online sites including:... View profile
- NFL Draft 2010: Baltimore Ravens Final Draft BreakdownThe Baltimore Ravens front office led by Ozzie Newsome, continues to impress with their NFL Draft strategy and player personnel moves.
- 2008 NFL Draft Preview: USC Tight End Fred DavisFred Davis without a doubt is one of the best tight ends available in the 2008 NFL draft. Davis is a player who could start right away for a team and make a contribution.
- NFL Draft 2008: After the NFL Combine; Rating the Tight EndsThis is an article on the top Tight End prospects for the 2008 NFL Draft and how they did at the NFL combine.
- Preview of the NFL Draft 2006A preview of the 2006 NFL Draft, including a mock draft and a brief summary of team needs.
- 2010 NFL Draft Preview: Top Tight EndsA tight end can be an invaluable part of a productive offense. Here are the top prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft.
- 2009 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0. Previewing the NFL Draft
- 2009 NFL Mock Draft - Version 2.0. Previewing the NFL Draft
- Top 5 Players in 2007 NFL Draft by Position - Tight Ends
- NFL Draft 2010: Offensive Players that Will Make the Most Impact at Each Position
- Top 5 Players in 2007 NFL Draft by Position - Outside Linebackers
- Talent and Tenacity Abounds in the 2010 NFL Draft
- NFL Draft 2011: Ten Best NFL Wide Receiver Draft Prospects
- Kyle Adams will be a surprise to many because he has not done much with the Purdue Boilermakers.
- Zach Pianalto is soaring up the NFL Draft charts as the NFL Combine draws closer.
- Schuylar Oordt is a player that will be talked about at NFL Combine & lead up to the NFL Draft.
6 Comments
Post a CommentI have to ask the Nebraska fans. Do you think McNeil is ranked too low? Is he better than the top three?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-FdxI_ZmMw
I think you should watch this. Pretty Impressive.
Ya like the other poster was saying he doesn't struggle with catching the football. He had by far the best hands on Nebraska.
Point taken Mr McNeil.
Mike McNeil didn't "struggle" in the pass catching department. That sounds as if you're pinning a low number of catches on Mike. As if he couldn't catch the ball or get open. If you want to say someone struggled and call it for what it is. His OC wasted his talents.
McNeil is a great route runner and has the best set of hands by far of any Nebraska tight end or receiver for the better part of his entire career.
His OC was a loon and should be out of a job.
If Mike McNeill is rated the #6 tight end why was he moved to the slot position? More evidence we need a new OC. Congrats to everyone else on this list and all the fans! Very impressive.