There appears to be no superstar tight ends eligible for the 2012 NFL Draft. But where this class is strong is in its depth.
2012 NFL Draft rankings: Tight end
Missouri's Michael Egnew is the best of the group, though he's probably not a first-round talent. The athletic Ladarius Green of Louisiana-Lafayette is the best receiving tight end in the country, but is undersized and lacking as a blocker. Conversely, George Bryan of North Carolina State is an excellent blocker with decent hands but not especially athletic.
One player to keep an eye on is Louisville's Josh Chichester. A former wide out, he could be this draft's Jimmy Graham.
| 1. Michael Egnew | 6'6, 235 pounds | TE | Missouri |
| 2. George Bryan | 6'5, 265 pounds | TE | North Carolina State |
| 3. Rhett Ellison | 6'5, 255 pounds | TE | Southern California |
| 4. Ladarius Green | 6'6, 230 pounds | TE | Louisiana-Lafayette |
| 5. David Paulson | 6'4, 242 pounds | TE | Oregon |
| 6. Cody Fleener | 6'6, 245 pounds | TE | Stanford |
| 7. Blake Ayles | 6'5, 245 pounds | TE | Miami |
| 8. Beau Reliford | 6'5, 258 pounds | TE | Florida State |
| 9. Josh Chichester | 6'8, 240 pounds | TE | Louisville |
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JUNIORS: |
| 1. Jake Stoneburner | 6'5, 245 pounds | TE | Ohio State * |
| 2. Orson Charles | 6'3, 240 pounds | TE | Georgia * |
| 3. D'wayne Allen | 6'4, 255 pounds | TE | Clemson * |
| 4. D.C. Jefferson | 6'6, 258 pounds | TE | Rutgers * |
| 5. Michael Williams | 6'6, 269 pounds | TE | Alabama * |
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