It looks like a deeper than usual draft for tight ends. Either that, or teams just value the position more. Seven were selected in the first three rounds.
Tough, however, for guys at this position to make an immediate impact. It’s got a steeper learning curve.
In the last 10 years, 38 tight ends have been selected in the first three rounds that caught at least 30 passes in their final season of college ball. Only two of those tight ends then caught more passes in their first season in the pros.
John Carlson caught 40 balls in his final season at Notre Dame in 2007, then went for 55 as a rookie with the Seahawks. And Tony Moeaki went from 30 catches at Iowa to catching 47 for Kansas City in 2009.
All of the other ones declined.
There are always exceptions to every rule, but if Eric Ebron, Jace Amaro and Austin Seferian-Jenkins are to develop into big stars, you’re far more likely to see the breakout-type production in their second year.
Here are those 46 tight ends from the last 10 years. These are all guys who were selected before the fourth round, and I’m showing only guys who caught at least 30 passes in their final season of college football.
TIGHT END CATCHES, college vs. first year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | College | Rookie |
2014 | • Jace Amaro | 106 | ? |
2009 | Chase Coffman | 90 | 0 |
2013 | Zach Ertz | 69 | 36 |
2008 | Dustin Keller | 68 | 48 |
2010 | Jermaine Gresham | 66 | 52 |
2014 | • Eric Ebron | 62 | ? |
2008 | Fred Davis | 62 | 3 |
2004 | Chris Cooley | 62 | 37 |
2006 | Vernon Davis | 61 | 20 |
2004 | Kellen Winslow | 60 | 5 |
2006 | Marcedes Lewis | 58 | 13 |
2006 | Tony Scheffler | 57 | 18 |
2005 | Alex Smith | 52 | 41 |
2013 | Tyler Eifert | 50 | 39 |
2012 | Dwayne Allen | 50 | 45 |
2012 | Michael Egnew | 50 | 0 |
2007 | Zach Miller | 50 | 44 |
2008 | Martellus Bennett | 49 | 20 |
2014 | • Crockett Gillmore | 47 | ? |
2010 | Rob Gronkowski | 47 | 42 |
2007 | Matt Spaeth | 47 | 5 |
2006 | Anthony Fasano | 47 | 14 |
2013 | Jordan Reed | 45 | 45 |
2013 | Travis Kelce | 45 | 0 |
2008 | Jermichael Finley | 45 | 6 |
2004 | Kris Wilson | 44 | 0 |
2011 | Lance Kendricks | 43 | 28 |
2013 | Gavin Escobar | 42 | 9 |
2010 | Ed Dickson | 42 | 11 |
2009 | Brandon Pettigrew | 42 | 30 |
2005 | Heath Miller | 41 | 39 |
2008 | John Carlson | 40 | 55 |
2007 | Greg Olsen | 40 | 39 |
2014 | • Richard Rodgers | 39 | ? |
2004 | Ben Troupe | 39 | 33 |
2014 | • Troy Niklas | 37 | ? |
2009 | Jared Cook | 37 | 9 |
2014 | • Austin Seferian-Jenkins | 36 | ? |
2013 | Vance McDonald | 36 | 8 |
2012 | Coby Fleener | 34 | 26 |
2006 | Joe Klopfenstein | 33 | 20 |
2004 | Ben Hartsock | 33 | 4 |
2011 | Rob Housler | 32 | 12 |
2014 | • C.J. Fiedorowicz | 30 | ? |
2010 | Tony Moeaki | 30 | 47 |
—Ian Allan