For years, I've tried to update the top five NFL prospects at each position, for both the junior and senior classes, each week from the beginning of the college football season right up until the draft. Enough of that. This year I decided to do something different. I'll now be ranking the top 10 NFL draft prospects at each position -- with all draft-eligible players included in the same ranking -- just a few times during the season.
For one, it's more helpful to see the juniors, seniors and occasional draft-eligible sophomores all together, just as you see them in the NFL draft. Second, trying to watch enough football and talk to enough evaluators to readjust the rankings every week just got ridiculous.
So here goes with the first version for the 2013 season. The Big Board, of course, will still be updated each week. Below, you have the tight ends.
Note that one asterisk denotes a junior; two asterisks denote a draft-eligible sophomore.
1. *Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington Huskies
Major matchup headache: uses his elite size (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) to block as well as to overwhelm smaller defenders as a pass-catcher. Can be split out. Extremely productive, Seferian-Jenkins had 109 catches in his first two years in college and already holds the school record for catches, touchdowns and receiving yards by a tight end.
2. *Eric Ebron, North Carolina Tar Heels
Another tight end who be split out like a receiver, but he's actually a willing blocker -- both on tape and according to his coaches. Ebron finished 2012 with 40 catches for 625 yards, and he can go up and get it.
3. *Colt Lyerla, Oregon Ducks
I'm not sure we will see what Lyerla is fully capable of because the Oregon offense isn't going to have tight ends stretch the field much, but he's freaky athletic and is a guy who should do well in workouts, while also displaying good instincts as a pass-catcher. At 6-5 and nearly 250 pounds, he runs like someone 40 pounds lighter.
4. *Jake McGee, Virginia Cavaliers
Gets off the line quickly and does a good job as a route-runner. Plus, he's tall and can go up over defenders for catches. Not speedy but does a good job of adding yards when he catches it in space.
5. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa Hawkeyes
Huge at 6-7 and more than 260 pounds, he's not a mobile guy, but he's a really good blocker who can work the middle of the field and makes catches when the QB has time for him to get into space.
6. Arthur Lynch, Georgia Bulldogs
Saw his role increase toward the end of last season when he had three catches in each of Georgia's last five games. Should see more action in 2013.
7. Chris Coyle, Arizona State Sun Devils
A smaller tight end at maybe 230 pounds, he can be split out and is a rare tight end who can cause some problems after the catch. Extremely productive as a junior with 63 catches for 769 yards.
8. Marcel Jensen, Fresno State Bulldogs
Prototype size at a hair over 6-5 and nearly 260 pounds. He should see more targets this year from QB Derek Carr.
9. *Jace Amaro, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Star potential because he moves extremely well for his size. It's almost hard to believe he's more than 250 pounds when you watch the tape. Could fly up this list. Splits out and gets downfield quickly -- he's a big target you can throw jump balls to. Also can run with safeties.
10. Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin Badgers
More of a classic tight end with good hands, but very good blocking skills.