The glamorization of the tight end position is in vogue in the NFL.
The bulky players at the end of the line, who formerly just did the grunt work and heavy lifting, are blossoming in wide-open passing attacks.
Last season, New England, New Orleans and San Francisco went deep into the playoffs with tight ends Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Jimmy Graham and Vernon Davis playing key roles.
Because of their collective spectacular play, the position is receiving additional attention around the league, which is noted for copying successful operations.
However, there’s one major issue for the draft on April 26-28 in New York. The draft-eligible tight end group is not considered very talented, by draft analysts, general managers and scouts.
“There are great tight ends in this league,” Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert said. “They’re just few and far between coming into the league so we have to dig a little deeper and make sure we don’t miss guys who aren’t playing in a pro-style offense day in and day out, but have the ability to do so from a size and athleticism standpoint.”
Falcons coach Mike Smith noted that there were a lot of “F” tight ends and not too many “Y” tight ends in the group. That’s coach-speak for flex tight ends who can move around as opposed to “Y” tight ends who are blockers.
“We have to make sure we try to unearth all those guys and give them their due even though you’re not seeing the same thing you’re going to ask them to do,” Colbert said. “Guys who might be free agents may end up being draft picks just because of the sheer lack of numbers at tight end.”
The Saints “unearthed” Graham, who was a basketball player who played one season of football at Miami. There are not any high-profile basketball-tight end converts in this class.
Coby Fleener and Orson Charles, formerly of Stanford and Georgia respectively, were considered the top two in the draft class before the NFL scouting combine in late February. Clemson’s Dwayne Allen also was in the mix.
However, Fleener, with a stellar Pro Day workout, has separated himself from the group.
Charles ran a slow 40-yard dash (4.75 seconds) on Georgia’s Pro Day and then was arrested and charged with DUI in Athens on March 9.
The Falcons, who must eventually replace tight end Tony Gonzalez, don’t pick until 55th overall in the second round. Fleener has played himself out of their range. The Falcons may have a chance to select Charles or Allen. Also, the Falcons have heavily scouted Louisiana-Lafayette tight end LaDarius Green and Cincinnati tight end Adrien Robinson.
The Falcons interviewed Fleener at the combine, but Pro Football Weekly projects him going to the Browns, who have the 22nd overall pick. [One of the five picks Cleveland received from the Falcons in the Julio Jones trade.]
Fleener flourished in Stanford’s offense, which featured three tight ends at times.
“I don’t think I’m pleased or satisfied with any part of my game,” he said. “It’s a daily thing to try to improve. You have to improve every day.”
Four days after Georgia’s Pro Day, an police officer found Charles’ vehicle stopped in the middle of South Milledge Avenue near Morton Avenue at 3 a.m. in Athens.
He was later charged with DUI. Charles told a Florida TV station that he was celebrating his 21st birthday.
“The main thing is just that I definitely made a mistake,” Charles said in an interview with the Bright House Sports Network. “I’m definitely going to own up to it. I’m not pointing the finger or blaming [anybody]. I definitely take full responsibility.”
Charles has had workouts with the Jets and Eagles. He also has one scheduled with the Buccaneers.
