Dynasty Draftnik

Colts, 7th round. N. Ill.: Slightly below-average size, but adequate bulk. Average hand size.

Positives: Throws with touch on intermediate routes. Runs tough. Looks fairly comfortable under pressure, and keeps eyes downfield when flushed outside the pocket. Goes through progressions when given time. Good runner. Fights for extra yards. Fair accuracy on timing routes. Very good play fakes. Knows when to throw ball away. Very mobile. Adequate velocity. Adequate speed. Very good change-of-direction skills. Adequate burst as a runner.

Negatives: Generally used in spread system, and fumbled snap under center in Shrine Game. Not much arm strength, and makes decision too late for his arm. Throws across body often. Poor accuracy — misses some wide-open throws and often throws high. Ball security an issue.

Projection: Has the athleticism and just enough passing talent to stick as a long-term backup. Not likely to ever be a contributor, though. Will probably be Colts’ 3rd QB in 2012, and may have a long career as a journeyman-type backup.

Rams, UDFA. S. Miss.: Slightly below-average size. Great hand size. Eagles have shown interest.

Positives: Four-year starter. Very nice touch on deep passes. Adequate speed and change-of-direction skills. Athletic and also made a fantastic catch on trick play for TD in 2010 bowl game. Knows when to go to ground on runs and throw ball away. Average arm strength. Fair runner in short-yardage plays. Can take a hit.

Negatives: Runs spread offense 90% of the time and is uncomfortable under center. Long windup. Looks a little indecisive. Misses several wide-open receivers. Throws slightly behind receiver on slants. Has zipcode accuracy. Throws a wobbly pass. Below-average velocity, which hurts on outside throws. Eyeballs receivers. Not explosive or creative as a runner.

Projection: Not likely to contribute as an NFL starter, but will probably have a fairly long career as a long-term journeyman backup, like the man he’ll replace in St. Louis — Tom Brandstater.

Bills, UDFA. Richmond: Above-average size. Average hand size. Originally won starting QB job at USC before injury and losing job to Matt Barkley. Transferred to Richmond.

Positives: Fair anticipation. Quick release but only average arm strength. Adequate change-of-direction skills and burst as a runner. Good track speed.

Negatives: Needs help with footwork and when to use 3-step/5-step/7-step drops.

Projection: Could win 3rd QB spot on Bills, but needs a few years to learn the position at the NFL level. Could develop into a solid passer, but will probably always be an NFL bench player.

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

More FB size than TE. Average hand size. Chargers have shown interest.

Positives: Good vertical leap. OK speed and hands. Tracks passes well over shoulder. Has speed to stretch the seam and runs good routes. Looked more comfortable blocking from FB position at Shrine Game practices.

Negatives: Trouble blocking quick rushers in pass protection. Lacks strength at point of attack as inline run blocker. Below-average upper-body strength.

Projection: 6th round. Would be more valuable in a West Coast offense if he develops as a blocker. Could develop into an Aaron Hernandez type playing well all over the field, but not at the same level. May be worth drafting late in deep dynasty leagues. At least keep an eye on him in preseason.

Eagles, UDFA. Mass.: Good size for FB, but small for TE. Average hand size. Jaguars have shown interest.

Positives: Agile. Good hands and concentration in traffic. Runs fair routes. Fair lead blocker. Above-average speed and burst for the position. Average upper-body strength.

Negatives: Below-average tracking passes over shoulder and tends to have to turn to catch them. Below-average change-of-direction skills.

Projection: Could develop into an NFL starter as an H-back or FB, and has the offensive skills to become a fantasy TE2. For now, though, he’s behind Brent Celek for sure, and probably also Clay Harbor. May be fighting for the 3rd TE spot or a practice squad spot. No need to draft him in fantasy.

Adequate size and hand size.

Positives: Is able to find zones as a receiver. Adjusts very well to errant passes. Good run blocker.

Negatives: Seems a little slow on the field.

Projection: 7th round to undrafted. Could develop into a solid backup in NFL, like a Bear Pascoe.

Ravens, UDFA. Syracuse: H-back size. Average hand size.

Positives: Usually surehanded. Willing to go to ground for passes.

Negatives: Sluggish with poor acceleration. Though he seldom drops passes, tends to body-catch them. Not a strong blocker and is easily overpowered.

Projection: May compete to be 4th TE on Ravens, but isn’t worth drafting.

Rams, UDFA. LSU: More a FB build than a TE build. Average hand size. Fairly long wingspan.

Positives: Good vertical leap. Good downfield blocker. Adjusts fairly well to errant passes.

Negatives: Below-average hands — double clutches and body catches and had a lot of trouble in the gauntlet drill at the Combine. Has trouble tracking ball over shoulder and tends to have to turn around to catch them. Below-average upper-body strength. Slow lateral quickness.

Projection: May compete for the Rams at FB, but probably won’t make a team. Doesn’t have NFL skills.

Steelers, 7th round. Ore.: H-back size. Very good hand size. Ravens have shown interest. Not used much as a vertical threat and ran mostly intermediate routes.

Positives: Average upper-body strength. Adjusts fairly well to back-shoulder passes. Looks very natural catching passes. Adequate run blocker when asked to seal.

Negatives: Doesn’t drive defenders in run blocking. Below-average explosiveness.

Projection: In Steelers offense, will need to learn how to block. May compete with David Johnson for last TE spot, and has some potential as a backup and special-teamer. Not fantasy relevant yet, though.