This, I am sure, will be the number one guy in at least 95% of the rankings you'll find, so not much of a surprise here. He runs routes in the way that you would expect a wide receiver to run them, break clean and fast and in one step then accelerate out. He should improve as a blocker where he tends to hand fight rather than use proper technique, but he won't be drafted on his blocking ability. A guy that would not fit the mold in the '70's or early '80's will fit in perfectly in a league were tight ends are used so often as a third receiver. He's a "love him or hate him" type of player but the only ones he needs love from is his Mom and the Quarterback.

This is more of a 2 a type ranking where it depends on what your needs are. Miller has stretch the "D" speed, he has incredible body control and runs good routes, that's why he gets the nod here. He is a little stiff in the hips at times and will round off his breaks from time to time. Miller doesn't dance when he runs across the middle, he attacks it and that helps the QB out immensely when he is trying to find him. Stay consistent and catch the ball and you'll be the go-to-guy every time. That's exactly what Miller does and if he could add some intensity to his blocking he could be at the top of the heap,in this years class. (Pun intended)

That would have to make Patrick 2b. If you are a team that runs the west coast offense and are in need of a go-to -guy on third and short, then you want Ben Patrick. He does not stretch the field like Olsen or Miller but may have better hands than they do. He catches the ball away from his body and swallows it whole with those huge mitts he has. He is not as powerful as his size suggests but he does stay square on his blocks and though he won't "pancake" anyone, he does provide a large wall to cut underneath of. With his balance and body control he makes a lot of tough catches away from his body and making tough catches will always keeps you tight with the QB.

Newton is a natural at the position and is a guy who produces, period. He runs fluid routes and catches the ball very well and does everything he needs to do in order to be productive for his offense. He has a good pop in his pads when he blocks but is not great with technique and tends to hand fight to much and not get enough push. He will go up and get the ball over the middle and is a great option in the red zone where he produces again and again. He needs some good coaching to refine his route running and blocking technique but when down field he is hard to stop. Productive, what more can you be?

Chandler has a lot of tools as a receiver and really uses his size to shield the defender from the ball. He catches the ball with soft, sure hands and gets it tucked away quickly in crowds which allows him to turn up-field and create. All of these tools are very necessary though because he does not get good separation, vertical or in the short game where route running is essential. He utilizes his size and has good hands in the passing game but again is not a solid blocker and doesn't use his size on the line. If he was meaner as a blocker he could use intimidation to create separation, but unfortunately he does not.

Spaeth is another productive tight end who is great underneath but is recovering from a season ending shoulder injury that is still in question. He has great concentration and good balance which enables him to catch the ball cleanly and away from his body. He is an average route runner who is re-directed easily but is good at recovering and finding a seam in the defense. He has a sound base when he blocks and stays low but is not adept at moving laterally and maintaining his base. He is a huge target who will compete in a crowd but will need to recover from his injury and improve on his blocking if he is going to continue to be a productive tight end in the NFL.

Harris is a strong tight end who uses his strength well in his blocking and is good at getting his hips around to wall off defenders. He gets too high and tries to muscle the defender too much but is one of the better blocking tight ends in the class. He does not run poor routes but is very slow out of the break and tends to get man handled at the line a lot. He does utilize his size very well and can be a great tight end in short yardage situations with his ability to block as well as "box out" smaller defenders in the passing game. He is great against the zone but may be to slow out of the break to be a number one tight end.

Boss is a superb route runner who looks very natural going down the seams and is very well balanced and under control. He uses his strength and size very well in his release and in his routes, using his strength to create separation. He is a very good blocking tight end and is well schooled in his technique, staying square and driving his legs to finish his blocks. His great balance makes the tough catch look routine but he is recovering from a season ending injury that puts a cloud of doubt as to when he'll be ready to go.

Pudewell is a hard working and fiery player who THE best blocking tight end in the class. I love to see passion in a player and it takes passion to become a great blocking tight end. He is almost an extension of the line in the way he pushes defenders and finishes blocks. In the little film there is of him as a receiver he looks to be very natural and has great body control. Combine his blocking skills and his fire, Pudewell can be a very good pro on those attributes alone and should be a lock to be playing on Sundays. Nevada may regret not utilizing a player like Pudewell the way they should have, but hind-sight is 20/20 right.

Milner has the speed and athleticism that really stands out for a tight end and if his attributes translated into big play he would be something special. He does not have great hands and it appears to be a concentration problem more than any other one particular thing, and that is not good. He runs nice routes and can use his speed well to get separation but does not produce enough as a receiver to be a true threat at the next level. His lack of concentration carries over to his blocking where he starts square but quickly slides off and seldom finishes his blocks. There is a lot of things coaching can fix but you are either there to play and want the ball or you don't, concentration equals desire. Speed alone gives him the nod over Rosario of Oregon and Coates of BYU.