USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 NFL Draft was chock full of quality tight ends. Six tight ends were taken in the top 85 picks and sixteen tight ends taken overall. With the tight end position evolving into a position that NFL coordinators have exposed as a matchup problem for defenses, the position will continue to become more attractive well into the future.
The depth of the 2013 class probably won’t be matched in 2014 but there is no lack of top end talent that could be available in the 2014 NFL Draft. The top end talent will be dependent on decisions of two underclassmen. Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Colt Lyerla are the names to watch as they both have first round skills and Jenkins could challenge in the top 10 of the draft.
Of the senior class, the name to watch this season is Iowa’s C.J. Fiedorowicz. He has all the tools to be a great one and should be more heavily leaned on this season.
After the break check out our 2014 NFL Draft tight end rankings.
SENIORS
1. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
At 6-foot-7, 267 pounds, Fiedorowicz has unique size at the position. He has been drastically underutilized at Iowa and the hope this season will be to involve him in the passing game on a consistent basis. Fiedorowicz has nice speed for his size and can stretch the seam. He’s our tight end to watch as it appears the Hawkeyes will involve him in the passing game in 2013.
2. Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin
Pedersen has been a highly productive tight end throughout his Wisconsin career. His lack of size (6’3”, 241) will be a cause for concern at the Y position but could be viewed as a flex TE/H-back option. While he lacks the bulk to be an effective blocker at the next level, he impressed on tape with his technique and understanding of angles in the run game. Pedersen is an intriguing player in the draft that has more upside than Jordan Reed of Florida, who went in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
3. Arthur Lynch, Georgia
Before two weeks ago, I had no idea about Arthur Lynch. After a few games of film study on Aaron Murray, Lynch was a guy that was consistently making my notes. Lynch is a big target that can do it all. He’s a solid inline blocker and consistently came up with big plays in the passing game. He’s not a burner, in any sense of the word, but averaged over 17 yards per catch in 2012.
4. Ted Bolser, Indiana
Bolser was a freshman phenom at Indiana as he made seven starts as a redshirt freshman in 2010. Those seven starts and appearances amounted to 27 receptions for 407 yards and 5 TD’s. Bolser’s production would drop the bottom out in 2011 as a sophomore only to spike again as a junior in 2012. Bolser has the size (listed 6’6″, 252) and enough athleticism to make him an intriguing TE at the next level. With a solid senior season, Bolser could push Lynch and Pedersen to take the No. 2 spot in this senior class
5. Justin Jones, East Carolina
I had a chance to see Jones live against South Carolina last season. I walked away impressed by his overall skill set and see him as a sleeper for this season. He’s a huge prospect at 6-foot-7, 260 pounds that plays flexed out quite a bit. Jones will be a guy to keep an eye on this season as he could emerge in a thin senior class of tight ends.
6. Kaneakua Friel, BYU
7. Crockett Gillmore, Colorado State
8. Asa Watson, NC State
9. Chris Coyle, Arizona State
