2014 Tight End Draft Prospects

By John Laub
John Laub

With the escalation of the uber-athletic tight end—Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski and Julius Thomas—over the past decade, general managers and coaches are all seeking the next prodigious power forward-like talent who can play on the gridiron. The top two players at the tight end position are without a doubt deserving of a first-round selection this year. There are plenty of teams willing to pull the trigger for targets who can manipulate the middle and run the deep seams on the field. Experts may rank the best prospects differently; however, the top two should be cherry-picked by the conclusion of the first day of the draft.


Benchmark College Stats for Draft Consideration

Receptions: 85
40-yard Dash: 4.75
Yards per Reception: 13.0

2014 Tight End Prospects

1. Eric Ebron, North Carolina



A versatile athlete who is a smooth catcher, accelerates easily and has a big body (6’4” and 245 lbs.). Excels in the middle of the gridiron between the linebackers and safeties. Makes quick cuts to avoid tacklers. Outstanding yards per reception average (16.1) and Yards After Catch (YAC) competitor. Reaches for high ball with incredible leaping ability. Enjoys contact and manipulates defenders. Willing blocker at the line of scrimmage but loses battle sometimes. Led Tar Heels with 67 catches for 973 yards last season, setting single-season school marks at the position. Clubs will covet his talent and take him off the board early.

Key Career Stats: Ebron
Receptions: 112
40-yard Dash: 4.60
Yards per Reception: 16.1

Draft Potential: Elite first-round talent

2. Jace Amaro, Texas Tech

A prototypical modern-tight end prospect with incredible size (6’5” and 265 lbs.), soft hands and thick upper body. Looks like a power forward. Creates separation from defenders. Is tough to bring down one-on-one. Runs the deep seem and out routes well. Wins matchups in single coverage. Can avoid tacklers in open field, but isn’t afraid of contact. Adjusts body to a poorly thrown ball and plucks it out of the air despite smaller-than-ideal hands. Extends arms and catches high ball in the end zone. Dangerous YAC receiver who runs with power and toughness. Needs to improve as an in-line blocker, but attacks defensive backs on screen and bunch plays on the edge. Drops too many balls and needs to progress to gain the confidence of his QB and coaches. A slower than expected 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine raises some concerns. A perfect weapon for the Patriots’ offense.

Key Career Stats: Amaro
Receptions: 138
40-yard Dash: 4.74
Yards per Reception: 13.2

Draft Potential: First-round talent

3. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington

Suspended for the first game last year after a DUI arrest. Enjoyed a much better statistical 2012 campaign than last season for the Huskies. Despite the drop-off in production, named the 2013 John Mackey Award winner. Tremendous frame (6’6” and 270 lbs.) with huge shoulders, long arms and big hands. Shields defenders from the pigskin with immense body. Uses hands to gain separation and is a long strider who excels in the open field. Runs a multitude of routes well. Excellent Red Zone target, who finds soft spots in the defense. Remarkable one-on-one skills against defensive backs and adjusts to balls. Lacks breakaway speed and does not always give 100% effort. Must improve run-blocking technique and competitiveness in ground game. Some scouts rate the Washington product in the same category as the top two TE prospects. A day-one starter who will provide dividends in the NFL.




Key Career Stats: Seferian-Jenkins
Receptions: 146
40-yard Dash: 4.70e
Yards per Reception: 12.6

Draft Potential: Second-round talent

4. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa

Not a dynamic athlete but is big and physical. Tall lanky receiver with long arms and big hands. Tremendous blocker at the point of attack and can seal the edge for runners. One of the best blocking TEs to enter the draft in awhile. Strong base and balance for a man 6’6” and 262 lbs. Applies his trade best between the hash marks and gets open quickly. Limited route-tree repertoire—outs, curls and hooks—within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage predominately. Does not challenge a secondary in the deep middle. At times, lined up in the slot in an upright position. Shields defenders like a forward posting up in the paint and uses hands to snatch the football. An ideal fit in a Pittsburgh or San Francisco scheme that relies on the run to move the chains.



Key Career Stats: Fiedorowicz
Receptions: 91
40-yard Dash: 4.76
Yards per Reception: 9.9

Draft Potential: Second-round talent

5. Troy Niklas, Notre Dame

Played linebacker as a freshman and understudy to former first-rounder Tyler Eifert in 2012. Last season, started every game, catching 32 passes for 498 yards while scoring five times. Despite limited positional and route running experience, staggering upside prospect. Stupendous size and muscular frame at 6’6” and 270 pounds. A physical in-line competitor, and possibly, the best combo blocker-catcher available in the draft. Enjoys toiling in the ground game and attacking would-be tacklers. Boxes out defenders, providing the quarterback a colossal target in the red zone. Athletic with long arms and can challenge the middle of the defense. Limited speed, inconsistent hands and lack of agility obstruct receiving potential. A raw player with average elusiveness, and after the catch, is not very resourceful. A three-down tight end who’s upside cannot be ignored; however, needs a season to learn the NFL game and refine his abilities.



Key Career Stats: Niklas
Receptions: 37
40-yard Dash: 4.75e
Yards per Reception: 15.5

Draft Potential: Second-round talent