These players will include any player eligible for the 2018 draft so any players 3 years removed from high school will be included if I believe that they are one of the top 5 players in the draft before the 2017 season begins.
5. Mike Gesicki, Penn State: I will get a lot of flak from some Penn State fans by not having Gesicki higher but I don’t see any dominant abilities on the field. He isn’t a dominant blocker in the games I watched, he is a long strider with no real suddenness as a route runner or explosion off the ball as a blocker, though he has been productive by using his length and leaping ability to make difficult catches. However he has been productive at Penn State and should take over as the number one receiving threat for Penn State. He has the size and prowess in the weight room to turn into a top tight end in a weak class.
4. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State: Goedert plays under the radar due to playing his games in the FCS, but his talents should push him higher than most FCS players the NFL draft. Goedert, besides being a very strong blocker, has shown the speed to create separation from safeties and the natural ability to box out defenders. Though he might have a large learning curve talent wise, he plays in a scheme that requires him to know several positions while staring at the tight end position. In a class that could be lacking at tight end, Goedert could surprise.
3. Cam Sergine, Wake Forest: Sergine has not gotten a lot of attention over his career at Wake Forest, though he has been one of the top weapons for the offense with over 400 yards in each season at tight end. Sergine shows good explosion and agility for such a big player that immediately brings Florida tight ends like Jordan Reed and Aaron Hernandez to mind. Look for Sergine to be projected to a move tight end or H-back role at the next level, and with smaller shifty tight ends becoming more and more popular Sergine could see his stock soar if he is able to show his athleticism at the Combine.
2. Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin: Fumagalli is yet another big physical receiving tight end from the Big 10 with a massive catch radius and good blocking ability that should find a fit at the next level. Fumagalli had a very productive 2016 season and should be set up for a huge year after consistently improving year after year as a receiver. Fumagalli is more of a traditional inline tight end and could see his draft stock improve if he shows better athleticism as a receiver in the upcoming season.
1. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma: Though listed as a wide receiver on the Oklahoma depth chart, Andrews will definitely be used as a tight end at the next level. The first thing that comes to mind when watching Andrews film is his impressive athleticism and power to take the ball away deep down field. Though he doesn’t consistently deal with top linebackers in the Big 12 he has shown very good power as a run blocker and has shown the ability to dominate as an endzone threat and as a blocker on the outside. Andrews should be the leading receiver on the Oklahoma squad and, with a good 2017 campaign, could see his named called in the 1st round of the NFL draft.
