The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward. Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft. If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see. For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud. We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the offensive skill positions. We ranked the top quarterbacks and running backs yesterday and move on to the wide receivers and tight ends today.
Tight Ends
1. Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
Height: 6-6 Weight: 251
Eifert likely would have challenged Coby Fleener for the top TE spot in the 2012 NFL Draft. He chose to return to ND and could solidify himself as a first round TE. Eifert has good but not great speed. His hands are elite caliber and he can block and uses his big body to shield defenders.
2. Zach Ertz, Stanford*
Height: 6-6 Weight: 249
Ertz was the second head of Stanford’s three-headed monster at TE. He was the best blocker of the bunch but wasn’t as dominate a receiving threat. Ertz should be counted on more this season to stretch the defense and could see more action from a production standpoint.
3. Jake Stoneburner, Ohio St.
Height: 6-5 Weight: 245
I would fully expect Stoneburner to be the key cog in the OSU passing game under Urban Meyer. Stoneburner is a WR in a TE body which should make him a valuable commodity in the 2013 NFL Draft. Stoneburner was much approved as a blocker in 2011 but still has a ways to go before he could be used as an effective in-line blocker in the NFL.
4. Joseph Fauria, UCLA
Height: 6-7 Weight: 258
Fauria has NFL bloodlines at the TE with his uncle being Christian Fauria. At almost 6-7 Fauria is a monster target that lacks great long speed. The former Notre Dame transfer threw up solid numbers in 2011 and could be one of the favorites for the Mackey award.
5. Levine Toilolo, Stanford*
Height: 6-8 Weight: 263
Toilolo is a monster at all of 6-8 and makes defenses account for him in the redzone. Toilolo should see an increased role with Coby Fleener heading to the NFL. Toilolo has intriguing size and catching radius which should catch the eye of NFL scouts if the junior declares early for the draft.
