1. John Carlson -- 6-foot-5, 255 pounds (Notre Dame)
Production was down in an offense that was painful to watch. Carlson had 40 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns, but is the best combination of blocking and pass catching in this year's class. As an in-line blocker, he will bend his knees, sink his hips and use leverage to win. He's not a killer, but understands positioning and is a tough player.
Carlson is athletic in the passing game with an understanding of how to find the open zone or manipulate a man-to-man defender. He has good speed and excellent hands. Carslon should be drafted in the late first to early second round.
2. Fred Davis -- 6-3, 244 pounds (USC)
Rocked-up ex-receiver has a frame similar to former first round pick
Vernon Davis. He enjoyred a breakout senior season. Prior to the Rose Bowl, Davis had 55 catches for 794 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 14.0 yards per reception and had a personal highlight reel game vs. Washington State with nine catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
Davis is a positional blocker who would improve his in-line blocking with better technique and effort. His strength lies in the pass game. He is explosive off the line of scrimmage and very effective in motion or split out. He catches the ball naturally with his hands and rarely lets it into his body. I like his value in the second round but a big combine could boost his stock.
3. Dustin Keller -- 6-2, 242 pounds (Purdue)
Another former wide receiver who bulked up in the weight room without losing speed and athletic ability. keller caught 61 passes for 731 yards and six touchdowns. Keller explodes and separates off the line of scrimmage and is very dangerous after the catch. He is not a conventional in-line tight end and must be used on the move or in the slot. Keller will be drafted by a team looking for a TE/H-Back that can get vertical and win matchups against safeties and linebackers. I don't think Keller will get out of the second round.
Best of the rest (Projected for Rounds 3-5)
Martin Rucker -- 6-4, 247 pounds (Missouri)
With 81 receptions with eight touchdowns in a creative scheme, Rucker is athletic with a big frame and minimal blocking abilities.
Jacob Tamme -- 6-3, 230 pounds (Kentucky)
Highly athletic former wide receiver had 53 receptions for 584 yards and five touchdowns. Tamme has excellent speed and hands, but won't block anybody. Purely a move guy in the pro game.
Gary Barnidge -- 6-5, 235 pounds (Louisville)
Enjoyed a very solid senior season with 53 receptions and seven touchdowns. Barnidge is not as fast as Tamme but gives better effort as a blocker and has the frame to get bigger and stronger.
Craig Stevens -- 6-4, 250 pounds (California)
Tough kid that will compete as an in-line blocker, Stevens has average speed but good hands.
Tom Santi -- 6-5, 250 pounds (Virginia)
Under-the-radar player with a solid skill set and great intangibles. Santi won the Tatum Award as the ACC's top football scholar athlete.
Kellen Davis -- 6-6, 260 pounds (Michigan State)
Phenomenal body with good athletic ability, Davis was an under-achiever with off-field issues. Somebody will fall in love with his upside as a tight end or defensive end.
:wink:
