NFL's Future

2013 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings

Posted by Brad On January - 30 - 2013
"Gavin Escobar"

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The tight end position has become a rapidly changing entity in the NFL. With every team looking for a Gronkowski or Graham, they won’t have to look far in this class of tight ends.

The typical “Y” tight end is one that is bigger with more in-line blocking ability. The “F” or flex tight end is considered to be smaller framed receiver types that bring little in the way of blocking. What makes the Rob Gronkowski’s of the world so special is his ability to play either in the “Y” or “F” role.

There are as many as six tight ends that could be taken in the first two rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft. Our top three options are underclassmen with the class of this class coming from Stanford. Zach Ertz is an intriguing option and could be a top 20 pick when all is said and done. He and Tyler Eifert bring the ability to play in-line or flex out.

The third TE in our rankings brings more of a Jimmy Graham-esque flavor. Gavin Escobar is one of the most intriguing TE options in the draft as he brings the ability to stretch the field but needs work as a blocker.

Travis Kelce sits in the fourth spot and may be closest comparison to Gronkowski. Kelce is a supersized TE with surprising athleticism and could warrant a selection early on day two.

After the top four the class proves to be one of the deepest TE classes in a long time, maybe ever. After the break, check out our 2013 NFL Draft tight end rankings.

RANK PLAYER SCHOOL HEIGHT WEIGHT
1 ZACH ERTZ STANFORD 6060 252
2 TYLER EIFERT NOTRE DAME 6055 252
3 GAVIN ESCOBAR SAN DIEGO ST 6050 255
4 TRAVIS KELCE CINCINNATI 6051 260
5 VANCE MCDONALD RICE 6041 262
6 JORDAN REED FLORIDA 6033 243
7 MICHAEL WILLIAMS ALABAMA 6056 269
8 NICK KASA COLORADO 6054 271
9 DION SIMS MICHIGAN ST 6050 262
10 RYAN OTTEN SAN JOSE ST 6052 235
11 MARQUEIS GRAY MINNESOTA 6035 239
12 LEVINE TOILOLO STANFORD 6077 265
13 MYCHAL RIVERA TENNESSEE 6032 237
14 CHRIS GRAGG ARKANSAS 6030 236
15 ZACH SUDFELD NEVADA 6063 261
16 JACK DOYLE WESTERN KENTUCKY 6052 254
17 D.C. JEFFERSON RUTGERS 6056 255
18 MIKE SHANAHAN PITTSBURGH 6044 232
19 PHILLIP LUTZENKIRCHEN AUBURN 6031 255
20 JOSEPH FAURIA UCLA 6072 257
21 JOSH HILL IDAHO ST 6044 245
22 LUCAS REED NEW MEXICO 6057 249
23 RYAN GRIFFIN CONNECTICUT 6060 254
24 BRANDON FORD CLEMSON 6033 238
25 CHRIS PANTALE BOSTON COLLEGE 6050 256
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  • Braeden

    You are really low on Joseph Fauria, who I like as a top TE in the draft this year. also, I haven’t seen much of anything on escobar so I dont have an opinion on him though I will look at some tape. I haven’t really followed the TE’s this year as much as in years past simply because this isn’t a very great class imo but so far my TE board looks like this:
    1-Z.Ertz, Stanford
    2-T.Eifert, ND
    3-J.Reed, UF
    4-J.Fauria, UCLA
    5-T.Kelce, Cincinnati
    6-D.Sims, Mich. St.
    7-R.Otten, San Jose St.
    8-M.Williams, Alabama
    9-M.Rivera, Tennessee
    10-L.Toilolo, Stanford
    I will do more film study then revise these because clearly i have some players to watch now.

    • bradc11

      Fauria is a wildly erratic player that is frustrating. He has all the physical tools to be a very good TE but doesn’t show it consistently. He’s an abysmal blocker…maybe the worst in the draft from this position and has little awareness to sit a route down against zone. For a guy with his playing experience I expect a lot more. Don’t know that he ever pans out at the next level. Escobar may be the top pass catching TE (flex) in the draft. He has natural movement skills and a great feel for the open spots. He’s a day two pick and could go earlier. Vance McDonald is a man as well and someone that should go by the end of day two. I was impressed with his tape as RIce used him in every way possible for a TE…ran TE fly sweep with him. He’s that type of athlete with tremendous size…is a work in progress in-line but has the ability to/want to get better in that area.

      • Braeden

        Thanks for the info. I haven’t looked at the TE class much, looks like I have a lot of film to watch tonite.

  • HardcoreBillsfan37

    I hope the Bills can snag Jordan Reed in the 3rd. Reed would be an awesome TE that, with Chandler, could challenge New England’s Hernandez/Gronkowski duo.

    • bradc11

      I would like to see Vance McDonald teamed up with a Scott Chandler type at the next level although Reed would make for intriguing pass catching duo. Their new QB (whoever that will be) would love to have Reed and Chandler/McDonald and Chandler. Makes life a little easier.

  • neighborhooddrunkpart2

    I hope the Steelers snag either Dion Sims or Travis Kelce.

    • bradc11

      As a Browns fan, I’m hoping they don’t get anywhere near Kelce. Sims has scary potential as well but I would hate to have to face Kelce twice a year. Guy is going to be a stud.

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