Top Tight Ends in the 2014 NFL Draft

Just like the group of running backs this year, the tight end draft class of 2014 leaves plenty to be desired as a whole. There are a few exciting prospects who could go rather early, but there is not a ton of depth to this class and it gets thin very, very quickly.




While there is a growing demand at the tight end position, especially "move" type tight ends who can be dynamic offensive weapons, the supply of this year's tight end class should not excite any teams looking on the market. There are a lot of players with high upside and one potential blue-chipper in Eric Ebron, but it's quite possible that the players in my top ten list below will be the only tight ends drafted this year.

There are some very nice blockers in this class, but most of the tight ends that project as receivers need plenty of refinement before contribute to their team. However, if teams begin switching to the power run approach that pushed the Patriots through the playoffs, then maybe the blocking tight end will soon be back in style after all.

The tight end position also has the most intriguing wild card of the draft in Colt Lyera. An athletic move tight end, Lyera had great potential before he was kicked off his team for his conduct and behavior. At this point in the process, your guess is as good as mine as to where Lyera ends up, because he has a very solid physical skill set but any team taking him also will be taking a whole lot of baggage.

Like the running back class, I have not studied the tight end class very much this year outside of the very top prospects. Due to the Vikings relative depth at the position it was not one I concerned myself with when I began to dig into research for the 2014 draft. Making it even harder to judge the position is the fact that so few of these tight ends are really generating any buzz outside of the top four. Things may change before draft day, but if you're a tight end needy team make sure to grab one early.

1. Eric Ebron, North Carolina
Measurements: 6'4, 250, 4.60
Draft Projection: 1st Round

2. Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
Measurements: 6'5, 265, 4.74
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round

3. Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, Washington
Measurements: 6'5, 262, No 40 time
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round

4. Colt Lyerla, Oregon
Measurements: 6'4, 242, 4.61
Draft Projection: ? (2nd Round talent)

5. Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
Measurements: 6'6, 270, No 40 time
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd Round

6. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
Measurements: 6'5, 265, 4.76
Draft Projection: 4th Round

7. Arthur Lynch, Georgia
Measurements: 6'5, 258, 4.82
Draft Projection: 4th Round

8. Crockett Gillmore, Colorado State
Measurements: 6'6, 260, 4.89
Draft Projection: 4th-5th Round

9. Marcel Jensen, Fresno State
Measurements: 6'6, 259, 4.85
Draft Projection: 5th Round

10. Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin
Measurements: 6'3, 238, 4.89
Draft Projection: 5th-6th Round

That wraps up the breakdown of the top tight ends in the draft, stay tuned as we continue to break the draft down position by position before free agency!