Updated 4/30/2012
This TE class is pretty sub-par — whereas maybe 12-15 TEs are usually drafted each year, 9 were drafted in 2012. A lot of that probably has to do with the fact that the college offenses are de-emphasizing the traditional TE position in favor of a hybrid H-back type. As a result, there are fewer of the all-around TEs that the NFL would like to have.
Of course, another result of that is NFL teams are changing their own offenses toward the hybrid H-back — a moving piece that can be used all over the field to create mismatches. So, although NFL teams would LIKE to have an all-around TE like a Jason Witten, those are a little thin on the ground these days. Instead, they’re starting to look for TEs who are too big for a safety to cover, too strong for a CB to cover, and too fast for a LB to cover.
If your dynasty team is lacking at the TE position, you’re probably going to want to acquire one via trade or FA this year, because the pickings are fairly slim if you want a starter at the position.
Here are my rankings:
- Coby Fleener, Stanford, Colts
- Michael Egnew, Missouri, Dolphins
- Dwayne Allen, Clemson, Colts
- Orson Charles, Georgia, Bengals
- Ladarius Green, Lousiana-Lafayette, Chargers
- James Hanna, Oklahoma, Cowboys
- Evan Rodriguez, Temple, Bears
- Brad Smelley, Alabama, Browns
- Brian Linthicum, Michigan State, Jets
- Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati, Giants
- Emil Igwenagu, Massachusetts, Eagles
- Chase Ford, Miami, Eagles
- David Paulson, Oregon, Steelers
- Deangelo Peterson, LSU, Rams
- Andrew Szczerba, Penn State, Cowboys
- Matt Veldman, North Dakota State, Jaguars
- George Bryan, North Carolina State, Cowboys
- Sean McGrath, Henderson State, Seahawks
- Tiree Eure, Minnesota, Vikings
- Cory Harkey, UCLA, Rams
And here are my pre-draft rankings from 2/29:
- Coby Fleener, Stanford
- Orson Charles, Georgia
- Michael Egnew, Missouri
- Dwayne Allen, Clemson
- Ladarius Green, Lousiana-Lafayette
- James Hanna, Oklahoma
- Brad Smelley, Alabama
- Brian Linthicum, Michigan State
- Emil Igwenagu, Massachusetts
- Evan Rodriguez, Temple
- Chase Ford, Miami
- Robert Lamont Bryant, Morgan State
- Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati
- Josh Chichester, Louisville
- Beau Reliford, Florida State
- David Paulson, Oregon
- Trent Ratterree, Oklahoma
- Tommy Shaver, Liberty
- Deangelo Peterson, LSU
- Andrew Szczerba, Penn State
- Danny Noble, Toledo
- Kyle Efaw, Boise State
- George Bryan, North Carolina State
- Kevin Koger, Michigan
- Matt Veldman, North Dakota State
- Clay Sears, Tulsa
- Sean McGrath, Henderson State
- Bristan Kelley, Pittsburg State
- Tiree Eure, Minnesota
- Tarren Lloyd, Utah State
- Cory Harkey, UCLA
Rodriguez at 10? What, before the Combine? You need to do a little more research, he killed it out there on Saturday in Indy.
Basing it on what I’ve seen of him in the games, not just what he did at the Combine.
How about Colorado’s Ryan Deehan?!
I haven’t seen Ryan Deehan play in a couple of years. If I ever find some good recent footage of him, he may easily hit top-25 status.
Just read that Ryan Deehan is going to the Bengals’ rookie camp on a tryout basis. No other reported interest so far…