COMBINE REPORT FROM SATURDAY - THE TIGHT ENDS
The tight ends were a part of Saturday at the combine, here's how I saw their workouts.
Jermaine Gresham--6' 6" 261
Tho Gresham didn't play in 2009 because of a torn ACL in his right knee, he still remains at the top of my list of tight ends. Gresham had a super junior campaign & would have been a 1st round pick if he had come out after his junior year. He has superior size, adequate speed(4.73), decent strength(20 reps), good leaping ability(35" vertical) & agility. But what I like most about Gresham is he's a fine football player, about as complete a prospect as you could ask for in a tight end. First round.
Rob Gronkowski--6' 6" 264
Here's another prospect who didn't play last season, he had back surgery. Gronkowski is a tough & dependable blocker, he has superior size, 34" arms & huge 10 3/4" hands. Since he didn't run at the combine, preferring to wait until the pro day on the Arizona campus. After watching his play, I'd guess he'll run something like 4.65-4.70. He's very dependable as a receiver & tough to bring down in the open field. Had he come out last year, I'd say he would have been a late 2nd round choice to mid-3rd, right about where he'll be this year.
Aaron Hernandez--6' 2" 245
He didn't participate at all this weekend because of injury. He intends to run a full workout at his pro day on the Florida campus. Hernandez weighed in less than was expected & he's not very tall. Hernandez doesn't really excel as a blocker either. What he does is get open, catch the ball & is the best runner after the catch at this position. He should run a 40 in the neighborhood of 4.60. Not a complete tight end, I doubt he'll ever be a dependable blocker, but he just might be a Dallas Clark-type offensive weapon. Mid-2nd round to mid-3rd round selection.
Dennis Pitta--6' 4" 245
Superior hands, possibly the best of all the receivers in this draft. Uses his body well to shield off defenders, can make the difficult catch & has excellent body control. Absolutely fearless going over the middle. He is strong(27 reps), quick enough & is a willing blocker. Like most BYU players, he spent two seasons on a church mission, so his age(24) works against him, but he can play right now. Third round.
Dorin Dickerson--6' 1" 226
With this size, he is not an every down tight end. He could be an effective weapon as an H-back or slot receiver. Similar in stature to the Jets' Dustin Keller coming out of college. This guy ran a 4.40 yesterday & with speed like that he could be an effective weapon in the slot. Dickerson also jumped out of the building in the vertical with a leap of 43 1/2". He's a special prospect, he'll have to be selected by a team with an idea of how to use him properly. Remember Kris Wilson?
Ed Dickson--6' 4" 249
This former Oregon Duck was very productive catching the ball, in his 39 consecutive starts, Dickson caught 124 passes good for 12 touchdowns. Plays bigger than his size altho he's not a great blocker by any stretch. Excellent hands & a very dependable 3rd down receiver. Question is can he block well enough to be an every down player in the NFL? Round three or four.
Jimmy Graham--6' 6" 260
Outstanding athlete for this position. Both quick & fast(4.56), long arms(35"), huge hands(10 5/8") & superior size. He needs time in the weight room, he could carry another 6-8 lbs of muscle, his run blocking isn't what it needs to be. Very smart, a double major grad with academic All-American grades. This is a projection pick as he has only one season of college football with just 17 catches & 5 touchdowns. He could easily be a year or two away from being a contributor but if he's serious about his commitment, he might be something special. Round four-five on potential alone.
Clay Harbor--6' 3" 252
Excellent athlete who really stood out at the combine, finishing in the top-5 in every drill except the 3-cone. He led the way in the bench press with 30 reps & finished 4th in the 40-yard dash with 4.69. I've only seen this kid play in three games, but he seems to catch everything. When he ran the gauntlet yesterday, he dropped several passes & seemingly lost his focus. I still think his hands are good enough. A small school(Missouri State) stud, he should go somewhere after round 5 begins.
Anthony Moeaki--6' 3" 245
Has had trouble staying healthy but he is productive. Excellent hands & a decent blocker, this Iowa grad has a shot to be a better pro than a college player, if he can stay healthy. Round six or seven.
Mike Hoomanawanui--6' 4 264
I swear the spelling is correct, anyway, Mike is a good blocker & a surprisingly nimble route runner. Illinois passing game was miserable this past season so his crummy production(10 receptions) can be a little confusing.
Nate Byham--6' 4" 268
Great blocker, it's his specialty. He gets into position & seals off his defender. Gets some real push as a drive blocker. Can get to the second level consistently to block a linebacker or safety. Caught only 10 passes as a senior at Pitt.
Brody Eldridge--6' 5" 261
Bob Stoops called Eldridge "the best technical blocker on our line." He started 2 games at center because of injuries, how impressive is that? He is the best blocker at this position, but not a dependable receiver.
Jermaine Gresham--6' 6" 261
Tho Gresham didn't play in 2009 because of a torn ACL in his right knee, he still remains at the top of my list of tight ends. Gresham had a super junior campaign & would have been a 1st round pick if he had come out after his junior year. He has superior size, adequate speed(4.73), decent strength(20 reps), good leaping ability(35" vertical) & agility. But what I like most about Gresham is he's a fine football player, about as complete a prospect as you could ask for in a tight end. First round.
Rob Gronkowski--6' 6" 264
Here's another prospect who didn't play last season, he had back surgery. Gronkowski is a tough & dependable blocker, he has superior size, 34" arms & huge 10 3/4" hands. Since he didn't run at the combine, preferring to wait until the pro day on the Arizona campus. After watching his play, I'd guess he'll run something like 4.65-4.70. He's very dependable as a receiver & tough to bring down in the open field. Had he come out last year, I'd say he would have been a late 2nd round choice to mid-3rd, right about where he'll be this year.
Aaron Hernandez--6' 2" 245
He didn't participate at all this weekend because of injury. He intends to run a full workout at his pro day on the Florida campus. Hernandez weighed in less than was expected & he's not very tall. Hernandez doesn't really excel as a blocker either. What he does is get open, catch the ball & is the best runner after the catch at this position. He should run a 40 in the neighborhood of 4.60. Not a complete tight end, I doubt he'll ever be a dependable blocker, but he just might be a Dallas Clark-type offensive weapon. Mid-2nd round to mid-3rd round selection.
Dennis Pitta--6' 4" 245
Superior hands, possibly the best of all the receivers in this draft. Uses his body well to shield off defenders, can make the difficult catch & has excellent body control. Absolutely fearless going over the middle. He is strong(27 reps), quick enough & is a willing blocker. Like most BYU players, he spent two seasons on a church mission, so his age(24) works against him, but he can play right now. Third round.
Dorin Dickerson--6' 1" 226
With this size, he is not an every down tight end. He could be an effective weapon as an H-back or slot receiver. Similar in stature to the Jets' Dustin Keller coming out of college. This guy ran a 4.40 yesterday & with speed like that he could be an effective weapon in the slot. Dickerson also jumped out of the building in the vertical with a leap of 43 1/2". He's a special prospect, he'll have to be selected by a team with an idea of how to use him properly. Remember Kris Wilson?
Ed Dickson--6' 4" 249
This former Oregon Duck was very productive catching the ball, in his 39 consecutive starts, Dickson caught 124 passes good for 12 touchdowns. Plays bigger than his size altho he's not a great blocker by any stretch. Excellent hands & a very dependable 3rd down receiver. Question is can he block well enough to be an every down player in the NFL? Round three or four.
Jimmy Graham--6' 6" 260
Outstanding athlete for this position. Both quick & fast(4.56), long arms(35"), huge hands(10 5/8") & superior size. He needs time in the weight room, he could carry another 6-8 lbs of muscle, his run blocking isn't what it needs to be. Very smart, a double major grad with academic All-American grades. This is a projection pick as he has only one season of college football with just 17 catches & 5 touchdowns. He could easily be a year or two away from being a contributor but if he's serious about his commitment, he might be something special. Round four-five on potential alone.
Clay Harbor--6' 3" 252
Excellent athlete who really stood out at the combine, finishing in the top-5 in every drill except the 3-cone. He led the way in the bench press with 30 reps & finished 4th in the 40-yard dash with 4.69. I've only seen this kid play in three games, but he seems to catch everything. When he ran the gauntlet yesterday, he dropped several passes & seemingly lost his focus. I still think his hands are good enough. A small school(Missouri State) stud, he should go somewhere after round 5 begins.
Anthony Moeaki--6' 3" 245
Has had trouble staying healthy but he is productive. Excellent hands & a decent blocker, this Iowa grad has a shot to be a better pro than a college player, if he can stay healthy. Round six or seven.
Mike Hoomanawanui--6' 4 264
I swear the spelling is correct, anyway, Mike is a good blocker & a surprisingly nimble route runner. Illinois passing game was miserable this past season so his crummy production(10 receptions) can be a little confusing.
Nate Byham--6' 4" 268
Great blocker, it's his specialty. He gets into position & seals off his defender. Gets some real push as a drive blocker. Can get to the second level consistently to block a linebacker or safety. Caught only 10 passes as a senior at Pitt.
Brody Eldridge--6' 5" 261
Bob Stoops called Eldridge "the best technical blocker on our line." He started 2 games at center because of injuries, how impressive is that? He is the best blocker at this position, but not a dependable receiver.
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