2011 NFL Draft: Tight End Rankings

The top 2011 tight end prospects available for the 2011 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted.

Combine 40 Times: As I explained on Twitter (@walterfootball), the official Combine 40 times are incorrect, and they’ve been proven false via the NFL Network’s simul-cam.

For the 40 times, I use the NFL Network’s unofficial times, which are more accurate. NFL teams use their own timed 40s anyway, so the official 40s are meaningless.

This page was last updated April 16, 2011.

1. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 258.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.75.
   Benchx225: 19. Vertical: 34.5.
   Projected Round (2011): Top 40 Pick.
   4/8/11: Kyle Rudolph did not run a good 40 at Notre Dame’s Pro Day (4.75), but that’s because he’s only three weeks removed from being medically cleared. Rudolph worked out well. Mike Mayock called him a first-round talent who could be chosen in the early stages of Round 2 because of durability concerns.
   
   1/24/11: Write-ups for these rankings will be added later; there were “personnel complications” on the site, which is why these rankings haven’t been updated in a while.
   
   10/2/10: Rudolph had 21 catches for 287 yards and two touchdowns through his first three games, but only managed one reception against Stanford. Rudolph is easily the top tight end prospect on the board, but because tight ends tend to fall in the NFL Draft, there is chance he slips to early Round 2.
   
   4/3/10: Kyle Rudolph is currently the top tight end prospect for the 2011 NFL Draft class (assuming he comes out early). He caught 33 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore despite missing some time with a shoulder injury.
   
   
   
   
2. Luke Stocker, TE, Tennessee
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 258.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.76.
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 33.
   Projected Round (2011): 2-3.
   10/2/10: Stocker hasn’t lived up to his preseason hype of being the top rated senior tight end. He only has 12 catches for 116 yards, and has had some issues with drops.
   
   4/3/10: Luke Stocker isn’t much of a blocker and he drops passes more than you’d like. He caught 29 balls for 389 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.
   
   
3. Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 247.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.66.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.50.
   Benchx225: 25. Vertical: 38.
   Projected Round (2011): 2-3.
   3/10/11: Lance Kendricks needed to improve upon his mediocre Combine numbers, and he did just that at his Pro Day. Kendricks, who weighed in four pounds heavier, ran a 4.50 (4.66 at the Combine) and somehow improved his vertical from 34.5 to 38 inches.
   
   10/2/10: Kendricks’ stats make him look better than what he is. On tape, he isn’t a very athletic tight end in the open field and struggles to make defenders miss. Just because you catch the football and get yards in college doesn’t mean this will happen at the next level. Kendricks has 17 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns through his first four games.
   
   4/3/10: A good blocker despite his small frame, Lance Kendricks managed 29 receptions, 356 yards and three scores in 2009.
   
   
4. Virgil Green, TE, Nevada – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 249.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.54.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 42.5.
   Projected Round (2011): 3-4.
   3/23/11: Virgil Green parlayed his terrific Combine into an outstanding Pro Day. Weighing in at 252 pounds (he was 249 at the Combine), he didn’t run the 40, but looked very impressive in the drills. He worked out with the Patriots.
   
   2/27/11: Virgil Green showed off his great athleticism at the Combine. He notched a 42.5-inch vertical and a 10-10 broad jump. He also ran a 4.54 40. Don’t think he’s going to be selected in the top three rounds, however. Green is extremely raw and doesn’t know how to run routes. He’s a project, but could turn into a good player in a couple of years.
   
   10/2/10: Green is a tall, athletic tight end with good speed, but he needs to bulk up and put on some weight. Green is a poor blocker and doesn’t show a lot of toughness, but he has some upside. He has 13 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns through four games.
   
   4/3/10: The product of a weird pistol offense, Virgil Green collected 23 receptions, 260 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.
   
   
5. Jordan Cameron, TE, USC
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 254.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.55.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 37.5.
   Projected Round (2011): 3-4.
   3/31/11: Jordan Cameron had a great Pro Day workout. There’s some buzz about him possibly going in the second round.
   
   
   
   
6. D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 245.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.63.
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: 20. Vertical: 33.5.
   Projected Round (2011): 4-5.
   1/25/11: D.J. Williams measured in at just under 6-2 at the Senior Bowl (6-1 7/8). Most tight ends in the NFL are 6-4 or taller, so this is a concern.
   
   10/2/10: Williams has some athleticism and solid hands, which makes him our second projected tight end to go off the board in a very weak 2011 NFL Draft class. Williams currently has 19 catches for 236 yards in his first four games.
   
   4/3/10: D.J. Williams totaled 32 receptions, 411 yards and three touchdowns in 2009.
   
   
7. Rob Housler, TE, Florida Atlantic
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 244.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.51.
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: 22. Vertical: 37.
   Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
   2/27/11: While Virgil Green stole the show on Saturday afternoon, Rob Housler was just as impressive. He had a 4.51 40 and a 37-inch vertical, and unlike Green, Housler looked like he knew what he was doing in the drills.
   
   10/2/10: Housler put up seven catches for 75 yards against Michigan State – a quality defense. However, he is a very poor blocker and needs to add at least 30 pounds onto his frame to be able to compete against bigger, stronger linebackers in the NFL. Housler hads 13 catches for 198 yards and one touchdown through three games. One important note is Housler mysteriously redshirted in 2009.
   
   
8. Charles Clay, FB/H-Back, Tulsa
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.69.
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 33.5. Broad: .
   Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
   5/15/10: Not much of a ball-carrier, but Charles Clay notched 39 receptions for 530 yards and 12 total touchdowns in 2009.
   
   
9. Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 248.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.63.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 16. Vertical: 35.5.
   Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
   3/11/11: Julius Thomas didn’t run the 40 at his Pro Day. Instead, he looked good in the drills for the 14 teams that traveled to Portland State to see the former basketball player’s workout.
   
   2/27/11: The next basketball player turned stud tight end? Julius Thomas looked very natural at the Combine, making receptions with ease during the drills. Thomas (6-5, 246) ran a 4.63 40 and notched a 35.5-inch vertical.
   
   
   
   
10. Andre Smith, TE, Virginia Tech
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 269.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    
    
    
11. Schuylar Oordt, TE, Northern Iowa
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 261.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.64.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 36.
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    10/2/10: Oordt has some physical skills and it will be interesting to see what he can do in practices at the Shrine or Senior Bowl. He only had three receptions for 18 yards against Iowa State, and has nine catches for 100 yards on the year.
    
    4/3/10: Notched 18 receptions, 358 yards and five touchdowns in 2009.
    
    
12. Mike McNeill, TE, Nebraska
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 232.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    4/3/10: Mike McNeil garnered 28 receptions, 259 yards and four touchdowns in 2009.
    
    
13. Weslye Saunders, South Carolina
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 270.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.76.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 19. Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2010): 6-FA.
    2/27/11: Weslye Saunders couldn’t do anything at the Combine because of a broken foot. With red flags popping up everywhere, Saunders will probably go undrafted.
    
    10/2/10: Saunders was recently kicked off the South Carlina football team. It is unlikely some team will spend a draft pick on an underachiever with serious character concerns.
    
    
14. Zach Pianalto, TE, North Carolina
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 256.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.80.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 22. Vertical: 32.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    10/2/10: Pianalto is a tough in-line blocker and has adequate size to start in the league. He has sure hands and does a good job of finding soft spots in zone. Pianalto has 19 catches for 156 yards through three games.
    
    4/3/10: Collected 22 receptions, 243 yards and three scores.
    
    
15. Lee Smith, TE, Marshall
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 266.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.03.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 25. Vertical: 29.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    4/3/10: I’m sure the former pitcher was upset to hear that his namesake was thrown out of Tennessee after a DUI arrest. This Lee Smith collected 23 receptions and 335 yards in 2009.
    
    
16. Collin Franklin, TE, Iowa State
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 256.
    Projected 40 Time: N/A.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.69.
    Benchx225: 28. Vertical: 34.5.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    4/4/11: Collin Franklin is an intriguing late-round tight end prospect. He caught 54 balls for 530 yards in 2010. He posted a 4.69 40, a broad jump of 10-4 and 28 reps of 225 at Iowa State’s Pro Day.
    
    
17. Charlie Gantt, TE, Michigan State
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 252.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.89.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 30.5.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    4/3/10: A terrific blocker, Charlie Gantt hauled in 22 receptions for 348 yards and two scores in 2009.
    
    
18. Preston Dial, TE, Alabama
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 238.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    
    
    
19. Cameron Graham, TE, Louisville
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 242.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.76.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.04.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.02.
    Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 31.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    10/2/10: Graham has been very consistent at Louisville this season and shown some nice athleticism once the ball gets in his hands. He has nine catches for 123 yards and one touchdown through his first three games.
    
    4/3/10: Had 27 catches, 323 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.
    
    
20. Allen Reisner, TE, Iowa
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 248.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.84.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.91.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: 28.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
21. Konrad Reuland, TE, Stanford
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 258.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
22. Stephen Skelton, TE, Fordham
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/3/10: Brother of Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton, Stephen Skelton collected 63 receptions, 634 yards and six touchdowns.
    
    
23. Greg Smith, TE, Texas
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: N/A.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.78.
    Benchx225: . Vertical: 29.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
24. Joe Torchia, TE, Virginia
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.81.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/3/10: Limited by a spread offense, Joe Torchia collected 14 receptions for 138 yards and two scores in 2009.
    
    
25. Kyle Adams, TE, Purdue
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 257.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.82.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.83.
    Benchx225: 24. Vertical: 33.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/3/10: Kyle Adams suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2008, but came back to catch 29 passes for 249 yards last year.
    
    
26. Jeffery Anderson, TE, UAB
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 255.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/3/10: Jeffery Anderson logged 26 receptions, 398 yards and five touchdowns in 2009.
    
    
27. Brad Taylor, TE, Baylor
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 241.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.59.
    Benchx225: 14. Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    3/5/11: A former quarterback, Brad Taylor caught 20 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns in 2010.
    
    
28. Eric Peitz, TE, Colorado State
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 251.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/3/10: Eric Peitz had 14 catches for 129 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last year.
    
    
29. Colin Cochart, TE, South Dakota State
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 255.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.78.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.71.
    Benchx225: 29. Vertical: 35.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
30. Alston Umuolo, TE, San Diego State
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.66.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/3/10: Collected 22 receptions, 243 yards and three scores.
    
    

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