Dwayne Allen could find his way into the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft
The 2012 NFL tight end prospects likely won’t produce a Vernon Davis/JasonWitten-type prospect but it should produce some solid NFL TE’s. From top to bottom, this class should be considered fairly weak and will be really bad if Dwayne Allen, Orson Charles, Tyler Eifert, and Jake Stoneburner decide to stay in school rather than declare for the 2012 NFL Draft. If none of those TE’s declare for the draft, we may see the first TE come off the board in the late third-round and possibly fourth-round.
Dwayne Allen gives this class a headliner and Orson Charles could be one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft. There isn’t a wealth of TE talent in the 2012 NFL Draft but there could be a couple steals. Here’s a look at the top 2012 NFL tight end prospects:
1. Dwayne Allen, Clemson (Junior)
Height: 6’4 Weight: 255
Dwayne Allen emerged as a legitimate pass catching threat at Clemson during his sophomore season. He caught 31 balls for 356 yards. In 2011 he has been nothing short of spectacular. He has given Tajh Boyd a legitimate threat down the seam and opened up opportunities for stud freshman WR Sammy Watkins to shine. Allen is a solid blocker but really excels in the passing game. He has deceptive speed for a bigger TE.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 1-2
2. Orson Charles, Georgia (Junior)
Height: 6’3 Weight: 240
Orson Charles is a project but maybe the most talented TE to come out in the last several years. His ceiling is through the roof and with good coaching at the next level he could be an impact, Pro Bowler for a long time. He is essentially another WR on the field with natural pass catching abilities. He really emerged in 2011 as the top receiving threat for the Bulldogs. Through 11 weeks he has 35 receptions for 435 yards and 5 TD’s. Those numbers combined with a gigantic ceiling should be enough to garner a second round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 2
3. Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (Junior)
Height: 6’6 Weight: 242
Eifert is a long shot to declare but this weak class of TE’s could force his hand. He has been a consistent receiving threat for the Golden Domers and worked his way into the talks of the top TE’s in the 2012 NFL Draft class. Eifert has good size and soft hands but will need to work on his in-line blocking to be an effective NFL TE.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 3
4. Coby Fleener, Stanford
Height: 6’6 Weight: 245
Fleener is a big TE that has the added advantage of Andrew Luck. Fleener is a redzone nightmare for Pac 12 teams as he’s caught 8 TD’s on the 2011 season. Fleener runs solid routes and can exploit linebackers in the seam. He could be a good value in the late 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 3-4
5. Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State (Junior)
Height: 6’5 Weight: 245
Jake Stoneburner is an athletic TE that was underutilized in the OSU passing attack. Because OSU doesn’t use their TE’s often, Stoneburner has not put up huge numbers. He’s a trumped up WR that is a work in progress as a blocker. He has the speed to stretch the defense and will draw attention from safeties down the seam. Stoneburner could stay for his senior season as Urban Meyer had success with athletic TE’s atFlorida.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 3-4
6. Michael Egnew, Missouri
Height: 6’6 Weight 235
Egnew has been a huge disappointment in 2011. He lacks the speed to threaten NFL defenses and doesn’t block particularly well. Without Blaine Gabbert at the helm, Egnew has looked very mediocre and could fall into day three of the 2012 NFL Draft.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 4
Best of the rest:
George Bryan, North Carolina State
David Paulson, Oregon
Ladarius Green, Louisiana Lafayette
Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern
Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn
Rhett Ellison, USC
Michael Williams, Alabama
Josh Chichester, Louisville
Evan Rodriguez, Temple
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