The 2010 tight end class looks to be one of the more impressive to come along in years. It has a nice blend of pass catchers and dual receiving/blocking threats in the top half, plus a strong group of oversized bodies who can definitely play significant roles in the NFL in any Tank (2TE, 2 RB, 1WR) or Jumbo (3TE, 1RB 1WR) sets.
In order to break down each prospect, the National Football Post will again be using our own numerical grading scale, focusing on evaluating prospects’ potential in terms of “starter caliber,” “dirty starter caliber,” “possible starter caliber,” “backup/depth caliber” and “free agent caliber.” The full grading scale is listed below with explanations of each grade.
Here’s our initial look at the 2010 tight end class:
NFP Numerical College Grading Scale
Starter Caliber
8.0 Starts first game as a pro…a prospect who possesses rare physical attributes that have an obvious impact on the game…will instantly become one of the best players at his position in the NFL.
7.5 Becomes a starter in his rookie season…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches and have an obvious impact on the game…will become a premier player in the league.
7.0 Starts in first game as a pro…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents…a featured player on a team.
6.9 Becomes a starter during his rookie year…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents…a featured player on team.
6.8 Becomes a starter in his rookie year…becomes a solid NFL player who has no real weakness…can’t be exploited or consistently taken out of games.
Dirty Starter Caliber
6.7 Contributes first year and starts second year…must be able to get on the field and make a contribution as a rookie…expected to start his second year in the league.
6.6 Contributes first year but may need time to become a starter…has the ability to become a starter and will be expected to assume a starting role.
6.5 Clean player who is inconsistent in his play due to character, alertness or competitiveness…has all the physical tools needed to become a starter…if he overcomes his deficiencies, he will be a star in the league…if he doesn’t, he’ll be a complete failure…NO middle ground.
Possible Starter Caliber
6.4 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or physical attributes but should be able to overcome it and contribute to a team…has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.
6.3 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or his physical attributes that will be difficult to overcome but will contribute in spite of it…has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.
6.2 Has one deficient area of his physical attributes that he can never overcome but has been productive and has the potential to be a starter in the NFL despite his shortcomings.
6.1 A clean prospect who will need time and development in order to contribute…physically, this player has all the tools to be a starter in the NFL but has not yet developed the necessary skills due to level of competition, offensive or defensive schemes, injury, grades or lack of playing time…true developmental player who has the potential to become a starter.
6.0 An underachiever who has exhibited a deficiency in some area of his play...has the abilities to become a starter but hasn’t played up to them…has a problem with football instincts, character and/or competitiveness…boom-or-bust prospect.
Backup/Depth Caliber
5.9 Has a deficient area of his playing or physical skills that he should overcome and contribute as a backup and spot player only.
5.8 Has a deficient area of his playing of physical skills that will be difficult to overcome but will contribute as a backup and spot player only.
5.7 Has a deficient area of his physical skills that cannot be overcome but has been productive and can contribute as a backup and spot player only.
Free Agent Category
5.6 Free agent with speed, character and competitiveness.
5.5 Free agent with athletic ability, character and competitiveness.
5.4 Free agent with size, character and competitiveness.
5.3 Free agent at a high level of competition with size, speed or athletic ability.
5.2 Free agent with size or speed.
5.1 Free agent with character and competitiveness.
5.0 Camp body.
4.0 Reject…no qualities for professional football.
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No way will Aaron Hernandez be a better NFL TE than Jermaine Gresham, NO WAY! Don't think I can take any of your "grading" seriously with such a blunder. What makes you think Hernandez will be better than Gresham?
Spudhawk:
Thanks, Yeah the guy needs to stay healthy. He is one of the best blocking tight ends in the nation, is a really deceptive athlete who can make plays down the field and separate vs man. With time I think he can start in the NFL, but he NEEDS to stay healthy.
Dave: I think Hernandez is a more dynamic athlete who is a much more explosive/polished route runner. Gresham played in space all the time, standing up and wasn't overly clean as a route runner and didn't looks overly explosive out of his breaks, more of a smooth strider. His size and coordination will cause some problems, but I'm not as high on him as most.
I see Hernandez more as a Dallas Clark type player
Gresham more as a Mercedes LEwis type player
Would not mind a team getting any three of these guys if it is in rebuild mode. You can never have too many players at this position for several reasons.
They are big red zone items, huge potential for the amount of reps played.
They convert to special teams better than most positions.
You can often get one to do some reps at fullback.
On a scout squad they can usually go for playing tackle, which translates to emergency depth on your roster.
Bill Parcells has confded that the best matchup out there at this time is the second tight end. So many teams practically base from the nickle in the second half with a lead, that the best passing matchup is usually agains a starting linebacker. Two tight ends usually force the defense into playing a base package, or giving you leverage if they go nickle, in terms of running vs. their front.
Wes,
I disagree strongly with your rankings.
Aaron Hernandez routinely failed to complete his routes and dropped numerous passes at Florida.
Hernandez is one of those liberals, you know. Hernandez, commie-fascist-socialist-Marxist-unAmerican football player that he is, wanted to try to embarrass Rev. Tebow, his quarterback and true red, white and blue American leader.
Hernandez must be made to pay for his laziness and lack of effort in attempting to knock down Senator Tebow. No one must dare be allowed to question, much less blatantly take downs off and stumble around the field like some sort of Casto commie, when FOX News Analyst Tebow is on the true blue American sod for which our forefathers, and not Hernandez's, fought and died.
Until you shape up, Wes, and start grading players in accordance with how they actually played in terrorist opposition to Preacher Tebow, one can only question your motivations, loyalties, and desire to be an American. Shape up or we will ship you out.
Hey wes, love the rankings hope you do every position leading up to the draft- I was wondering how Garrett Graham did at the senior bowl and whether you think his weakness is in his blocking or lack of explosiveness (no wow factor to him). It seems like he was just too productive at the college level against very good big ten LBs when the teams schemed against him in the passing game because WI hasnt had any receivers. Also he was an effective blocker at the point of attack who may not be able to hold up against big time NFL players but I still feel will be better than most pass catching TEs.
Wes:
For comparison's sake, how did the top five TEs from the 2009 draft grade out? In other words, if Brandon Pettigrew was on this list, where would he be?
Thanks.
I guess I like Colin Peek more than others. I think he is someone who could be a solid starter for a NFL team. But perhaps he is more Will Heller-like...
Wes, do you have historical data for previous NFL prospects published anywhere on the site?
I'd like to see how Aaron Hernandez 7.5 matches up to, for example, Kellen Winslow and Vernon Davis from years past.
Thanks!
Where is Sicko from UNH??? That kid can smoke 3/4 of the stiffs in this group. 160 catches in 3 years as a starter, 6'4", 255 and great hands.
Moeaki is the best blocking TE in the nation IMO
None of those other guys come close. When he's healthy, he's one hell of an athlete too. I'm not sure where the "deceptive" athlete term comes from because athletically he's off the charts and this comes from Coach Ferentz himself. He just needs to stay healthy.
Mike Williams will be lucky to get drafted after quitting on his team. Tate may wind up going the Mario Manningham route and wind up a sixth round pick. Mitchell, Easley and Jeremy Williams are also grossly overrated.
No one is 'protected' with new...
Cornerback was given big contract...
Green Bay hikes prices up to $5...
Where will Peyton Manning end...
Velocity and throws to the left...
Feb 06, 2010
12:22 PM
Love the lists Wes. Gotta ask is Moeaki's glaring weakness his ability to stay on the field? When he plays he is a difference maker. He is a very good blocker and can excel in the passing game. If he goes to a team where he will be the #2 TE of H he will excell.