Fantasy Index

Factoid

Rookie tight ends

Tends to be slower-starting position

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
YearPlayerCollegeRookie
2014• Jace Amaro106?
2009Chase Coffman900
2013Zach Ertz6936
2008Dustin Keller6848
2010Jermaine Gresham6652
2014• Eric Ebron62?
2008Fred Davis623
2004Chris Cooley6237
2006Vernon Davis6120
2004Kellen Winslow605
2006Marcedes Lewis5813
2006Tony Scheffler5718
2005Alex Smith5241
2013Tyler Eifert5039
2012Dwayne Allen5045
2012Michael Egnew500
2007Zach Miller5044
2008Martellus Bennett4920
2014• Crockett Gillmore47?
2010Rob Gronkowski4742
2007Matt Spaeth475
2006Anthony Fasano4714
2013Jordan Reed4545
2013Travis Kelce450
2008Jermichael Finley456
2004Kris Wilson440
2011Lance Kendricks4328
2013Gavin Escobar429
2010Ed Dickson4211
2009Brandon Pettigrew4230
2005Heath Miller4139
2008John Carlson4055
2007Greg Olsen4039
2014• Richard Rodgers39?
2004Ben Troupe3933
2014• Troy Niklas37?
2009Jared Cook379
2014• Austin Seferian-Jenkins36?
2013Vance McDonald368
2012Coby Fleener3426
2006Joe Klopfenstein3320
2004Ben Hartsock334
2011Rob Housler3212
2014• C.J. Fiedorowicz30?
2010Tony Moeaki3047

—Ian Allan

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