A look at the top seven tight end prospects in the NFL draft:
- Tyler Eifert, 6-foot-5 1/2 inches, 256 pounds, Notre Dame (Projection: first round): Eifert replaced Kyle Rudolph, a Pro Bowl selection last season with the Vikings, as Notre Dame's starter in 2011. Eifert wasn't recruited heavily by top programs out of high school, but he blossomed into a star. His three-year totals were 140 catches for 1,840 yards and 11 touchdowns.
- Zach Ertz, 6-5, 245, Stanford (first-second): Ertz was a top recruit at Monte Vista High school, near the Stanford campus. He started for just one-plus seasons at Stanford because of the depth at his position, but was very productive. He had 69 receptions for 898 yards and six touchdowns in 2012, his junior season. Ertz frequently lined up on the outside formations for the Cardinal.
- Vance McDonald, 6-4, 267, Rice (second-third): McDonald helped himself at the NFL combine by running 40 yards in 4.69 seconds and lifting 225 pounds in the bench press a position-high 31 times. McDonald scored a 30 on the Wonderlic, tops among tight ends, and had a good week at the Senior Bowl. In spite of his size, Rice used McDonald mostly as a slot receiver during his three years as the starter.
- Travis Kelce, 6-5, 255, Cincinnati (second-third round): Kelce might be the most conventional tight end among the top prospects. He doesn't have great speed, but he's big with good hands, and he's a physical run blocker. Kelce also is athletic for his size; the Bearcats used him as a Wildcat quarterback in 2009. Cincinnati suspended Kelce for the entire 2010 season because of a violation of team rules.
- Gavin Escobar, 6-6, 250, San Diego State (second-third): Escobar's 40-yard time of 4.84 seconds at the combine was slow for his position, and he bench-pressed 225 pounds only 12 times. But Escobar, a standout basketball player in high school, tested well in all of the agility drills. Escobar's greatest asset is his pass-catching ability.
- Dion Sims, 6-5, 262, Michigan State (fourth): Sims didn't produce much as a receiver during his first two seasons with the Spartans, but recorded 36 catches for 475 yards and two touchdowns as a junior in 2012. His size makes him a big target for quarterbacks, and he has enough speed to break free in the open field. Sims also has the potential to be a dominating blocker.
- Jordan Reed, 6-2 1/2, 235, Florida, (fourth): Built more like a big receiver than a tight end, Reed played quarterback, wide receiver and running back during his first two seasons with the Gators. He eventually settled at tight end and has drawn comparisons to Aaron Hernandez, the former Gators tight end who now stars for the Patriots. Florida coaches benched Reed for the Sugar Bowl.
