When evaluating tight ends, it is important to consider all aspects of their games -- separation skills, ball skills, big-play ability, competitiveness and blocking.
Here's how we rank the top 2012 tight ends by skill set (non-seniors noted with an asterisk), as well as a look at all draftable prospects, recent timing and measurement averages for combine tight ends, market trends at the position and Round 1 and 2 picks from 2011.
Separation Skills
The challenge when evaluating a tight end's separation skills is to sift through those potentially deceptive variables, which include his supporting cast, the offensive system he plays in, and the types of defensive coverage and level of competition he faces. While there's no exact formula, some of the key ingredients include recognition skills, initial burst, change-of-direction skills and competitiveness.
Top three in class
1. Coby Fleener, Stanford
2. Orson Charles, Georgia
3. Dwayne Allen, Clemson
Ball Skills
Looks the ball in and snatches away from pads when at all possible. Shows ability to pluck on the run, catch over the shoulder and adjust to the poorly-thrown pass. Makes the tough catches in traffic.
Top three in class
1. Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette
2. Michael Egnew, Missouri
3. Fleener
Big-play ability
Possesses the top-end speed and acceleration to attack the seams and stretch the defense vertically. Also must be capable of creating extra yards after the catch with a combination of the following skills: initial burst to hit the crease, elusiveness to avoid defenders, breakaway speed, and power to run through defenders.
Top three in class
1. Fleener
2. Charles
3. Chase Ford, Miami
Competitiveness
Gives great effort in all aspects of the game. A relentless competitor who is not afraid to go over the middle and make the tough catch in traffic. Takes pride as a blocker.
Top three in class
1. Charles
2. George Bryan, North Carolina
3. Fleener
Blocking
Strength, balance and leverage as an inline blocker. Show ability to get proper movement on defenders off the line of scrimmage. Lateral quickness and proper angles to hook or seal the edge. Adjust to moving targets in space. Anchor and awareness to contribute in pass protection.
Top three in TE class
1. Bryan
2. Cory Harkey, UCLA
3. Anthony Miller, California
Prospects who carry draftable grades but were not invited to the combine: Ford, Bryan, Linthicum, Koger, Miller, Efaw.
The following is a graphic representation of the tight ends selected in Rounds 1 and 2 in 2011, as well as number of tight ends selected in each round of the previous three NFL drafts. Most teams use this type of chart to study position trends when setting up their draft boards each year.
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998. Scouts Inc.'s Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl also contributed to this report.