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2015 NFL Draft: Pre-Combine Ranking Of Top 10 Tight End Prospects

2015 NFL Draft: Pre-Combine Ranking Of Top 10 Tight End Prospects

Maxx Williams, 2015 NFL Draft
Jesse Johnson-USATODAY Sports

Tight end is looking like the one of the weakest positions in this year's NFL draft class, with a real lack of high-end talent and few notable names.

That said, as we look toward the NFL Combine here are my top 10 tight end draft prospects.

10. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame

Ben Koyack, 2015 NFL Draft
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

10. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame

Ben Koyack, 2015 NFL Draft
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Koyack apparently struggled at the Senior Bowl, which has his stock down a bit heading into the combine. A better showing in Indianapolis could help Koyack re-establish himself as one of the top tight end prospects.

9. Jesse James, Penn State

Jesse James, 2015 NFL Draft
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

9. Jesse James, Penn State

Jesse James, 2015 NFL Draft
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

James chose to declare for the draft after a solid junior season (38 receptions for 396 yards and three touchdowns). The lack of tight end depth in this year's draft class should boost his stock the most, but with one eye closed James could compare favorably to Rob Gronkowski (6'7", 254 lbs.) in the eyes of NFL scouts.

8. Tyler Kroft, Rutgers

Tyler Kroft, 2015 NFL Draft
Otto Greule Jr-Getty Images

8. Tyler Kroft, Rutgers

Tyler Kroft, 2015 NFL Draft
Otto Greule Jr-Getty Images

Kroft chose to forego his senior season despite a dismal 2014 campaign (24 receptions for 269 yards, zero touchdowns). But he was productive in 2013 (43 catches for 573 yards and four touchdowns), and his speed, catch radius and size (6'6", 240 lbs.) should give him an opportunity in the NFL.

7. Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State

Jeff Heuerman, 2015 NFL Draft
Jamie Sabau-Getty Images

7. Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State

Jeff Heuerman, 2015 NFL Draft
Jamie Sabau-Getty Images

Heuerman's production as a receiver is lackluster (17 receptions this past season), due in equal parts to a prominent role as a blocker and the plethora of talent at Ohio State. There is a chance he is drafted too early based on playing for the Buckeyes.

6. E.J. Bibbs, Iowa State

E.J. Bibbs, 2015 NFL Draft
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

6. E.J. Bibbs, Iowa State

E.J. Bibbs, 2015 NFL Draft
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Bibbs had 84 receptions over his two seasons at Iowa State, including 45 catches and eight touchdowns in 2014. He's likely to be a middle round pick, and he should find a role in the NFL.

5. Nick Boyle, Delaware

Nick Boyle, NFL Draft
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

5. Nick Boyle, Delaware

Nick Boyle, 2015 NFL Draft
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Boyle had a strong week at the Senior Bowl, and he seems to have the size (6'5", 270 lbs.) and overall skills to succeed at the next level. There's mid to late-round value potential here.

4. Nick O'Leary, Florida State

Nick O'Leary, 2015 NFL Draft
Andy Lyons-Getty Images

4. Nick O'Leary, Florida State

Nick O'Leary, 2015 NFL Draft
Andy Lyons-Getty Images

O'Leary won the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in 2014, and as one of Jameis Winston's top targets (48 receptions for 618 yards and six touchdowns) he is firmly on the NFL radar. He'll be drafted purely for his pass-catching ability, and he may have some untapped upside.

3. Clive Walford, Miami

Clive Walford, 2015 NFL Draft
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

3. Clive Walford, Miami

Clive Walford, 2015 NFL Draft
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Walford got praised widely after a good showing at the Senior Bowl, and he could very easily be the second tight end drafted if he builds on that at the combine.

2. Devin Funchess, Michigan

Devin Funchess, NFL Draft
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

2. Devin Funchess, Michigan

Devin Funchess, NFL Draft
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Funchess started his college career as a tight end, before moving to wide receiver last season. Analysts seem split on where to list him in pre-draft prospect rankings, but his size (6'5", 230 lbs.) makes me think his NFL future is at tight end, so I'll list him here.

1. Maxx Williams, Minnesota

Maxx Williams, 2015 NFL Draft
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Maxx Williams, Minnesota

Maxx Williams, 2015 NFL Draft
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

It was not a surprise that Williams declared for the draft once the Gophers' season was over, and he is unquestionably the top tight end prospect. He could go off the board late in the first round, and having an NFL-caliber quarterback throwing him the ball should unlock his potential.

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