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:

1. Coby Fleener, Stanford, Colts
2. Michael Egnew, Missouri, Dolphins
3. Dwayne Allen, Clemson, Colts
4. Orson Charles, Georgia, Bengals
5. Ladarius Green, Lousiana-Lafayette, Chargers
6. James Hanna, Oklahoma, Cowboys
7. Evan Rodriguez, Temple, Bears
8. Brad Smelley, Alabama, Browns
9. Brian Linthicum, Michigan State, Jets
10. Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati, Giants
11. Emil Igwenagu, Massachusetts, Eagles
12. Chase Ford, Miami, Eagles
13. David Paulson, Oregon, Steelers
14. Deangelo Peterson, LSU, Rams
15. Andrew Szczerba, Penn State, Cowboys
16. Matt Veldman, North Dakota State, Jaguars
17. George Bryan, North Carolina State, Cowboys
18. Sean McGrath, Henderson State, Seahawks
19. Tiree Eure, Minnesota, Vikings
20. Cory Harkey, UCLA, Rams

And here are my pre-draft rankings from 2/29:

1. Coby Fleener, Stanford
2. Orson Charles, Georgia
3. Michael Egnew, Missouri
4. Dwayne Allen, Clemson
5. Ladarius Green, Lousiana-Lafayette
6. James Hanna, Oklahoma
7. Brad Smelley, Alabama
8. Brian Linthicum, Michigan State
9. Emil Igwenagu, Massachusetts
10. Evan Rodriguez, Temple
11. Chase Ford, Miami
12. Robert Lamont Bryant, Morgan State
13. Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati
14. Josh Chichester, Louisville
15. Beau Reliford, Florida State
16. David Paulson, Oregon
17. Trent Ratterree, Oklahoma
18. Tommy Shaver, Liberty
19. Deangelo Peterson, LSU
20. Andrew Szczerba, Penn State
21. Danny Noble, Toledo
22. Kyle Efaw, Boise State
23. George Bryan, North Carolina State
24. Kevin Koger, Michigan
25. Matt Veldman, North Dakota State
26. Clay Sears, Tulsa
27. Sean McGrath, Henderson State
28. Bristan Kelley, Pittsburg State
29. Tiree Eure, Minnesota
30. Tarren Lloyd, Utah State
31. Cory Harkey, UCLA