Three tight ends were chosen in the first round. But with each of these guys – O.J. Howard, Evan Engram and David Njoku – I’m more excited about what they might do in 2018 and beyond, rather than this season.

Tight end is a tough, complex position, and it’s rare to see rookies come in and kick butt right away. More commonly, they’re eased in during their first year, then blossom later.

Check the numbers.

In the last 20 years, 20 tight ends have been chosen with first-round picks. Only two went for 500-plus yards (Jeremy Shockey and Dustin Keller). And only two scored more than 3 TDs (Jermaine Gresham caught 4 TDs, and Heath Miller caught 6).

Only three caught 40-plus passes (Shockey, Keller and Gresham).

Tends to take a while. These are all athletic, pass-catching tight ends, but I’m not counting on much from them this year.

FIRST-ROUND TIGHT ENDS
YearPckPlayerNoYardsAvgTD
20066Vernon Davis, S.F.2026513.33
20046Kellen Winslow, Clev.55010.00
201410Eric Ebron, Det.252489.91
199713Tony Gonzalez, K.C.3336811.22
200214Jeremy Shockey, NYG7489412.12
200014Bubba Franks, G.B.3436310.71
201719O.J. Howard, T.B.????
200920Brandon Pettigrew, Det.3034611.52
201021Jermaine Gresham, Cin.524719.14
201321Tyler Eifert, Cin.3944511.42
200221Daniel Graham, N.E.1515010.01
199722David LaFleur, Dall.181226.82
201723Evan Engram, NYG????
200324Dallas Clark, Ind.2934011.71
200027Anthony Becht, NYJ161449.02
200228Jerramy Stevens, Sea.262529.73
200628Marcedes Lewis, Jac.131269.71
201729David Njoku, Clev.????
200830Dustin Keller, NYJ4853511.13
200530Heath Miller, Pitt.3945911.86
200731Greg Olsen, Chi.3939110.02
200131Todd Heap, Balt.1620612.91
200432Benjamin Watson, N.E.2168.00

—Ian Allan