Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Today’s NFL features offenses with dynamic playmakers at the tight end position. Vernon Davis, Tony Gonzalez, Aaron Hernandez, and many other tight ends bring some of the skills and athleticism of a wideout and some of the size and strength of a lineman to an offense. The Buccaneers did not see much production from the tight end position in 2012, as profiled in the season in review posted this week. So the NFL Draft is a likely source of the next Tampa Bay Buccaneer tight end, and that means the NFL Draft Scouting Combine is the best chance to see these players on display, working out and giving us a look at their raw skills.
The Pewter Plank will give you live updates on the tight end workouts today, giving input and thoughts from the Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jordan Reed, Zach Ertz, Tyler Eifert and more will be on display, and we’ll bring you everything you need to know as the workouts proceed through the afternoon.
That’s it for live updates. I will do my best to recap other tight end information at the end of the day. Keep your eye on Pewter Plank for more NFL Draft updates!
Dion Sims has been jogging a lot today. The Michigan State tight end has shown really poorly.
Jordan Reed isn’t participating in drills.
Gavin Escobar did not run well today, but he showed fantastic hands. He can snatch the ball out of the air with ease.
Vance McDonald does not catch it cleanly, has to slow down and bring it into his body and loses his balance often.
Zach Ertz showing some good hands, too. Let down by the QB’s throwing the passes. Escobar as well. The three E’s are definitely the best tight ends in this draft.
Tyler Eifert has some really, really good hands!
Levine Toilolo looked awful catching passes. Nothing like his college teammate Ertz.
Vance McDonald did not look good catching passes. Definitely a concern for him.
Gavin Escobar makes a nice run through the gauntlet type drill as well, making catches from all directions on the run.
In between stupid interviews and press conferences, we get to see Zach Ertz run the gauntlet, and show great hands.
The NFL Network doesn’t care about the tight end drills. Would rather talk about Te’o. Give me a break.
Now the tight ends are running double move routes and catching deep passes. Nothing special to report. Now it’s time for a blocking drill.
Vance McDonald posts a 4.63. He’s a solid mid round option, the main concern is his catching ability. #NFLCombine
Jordan Reed up again. He puts up a 4.62. Not bad, but he’s going to have to stand out to be picked ahead of McDonald.
Chris Gragg is FAST. 4.44 seconds in the 40 yard dash for the Arkansas tight end.
Gavin Esobar is not running well. Certainly going to be a concern for a guy who isn’t a great blocker.
Zach Ertz improves his time and posts a 4.65. He’s an impressive guy, too. I don’t think the Bucs could go wrong with Eifert or Ertz.
Tyler Eifert is up again. 4.62. He’s a solid athlete.
Justice Cunningham is struggling with the 40 yard dash start.
Jake Stoneburner from Ohio State moving really quick. Runs a 4.65, he’s a late round prospect who might be a good backup plan.
Jordan Reed from Florida up now. He needs to show good speed. Runs the 40 in 4.63. Not awful. But Vance McDonald was almost as fast carrying 50 more pounds.
Vance McDonald from Rice posts his time of 4.69. He’s a very strong guy, has a good build. Not a bad pick if the top guys are off the board.
Matt Furstenburg and Chris Gragg both posting sub 4.6 times. Neither are going to go in the first two days. But impressive times.
Gavin Escobar is next, tight end from San Diego State. Much more of a slot receiver than a blocking tight end. The 6’6″ prospect disappoints with a 4.88. Didn’t get a good start.
Zach Ertz is next. Nice long strides from Ertz, and he logs a 4.72.
Justice Cunningham starts things off with a pretty slow time. Now we look at the real stars. The 3 E’s are up. Tyler Eifert goes first: Runs a 4.6! Very solid for a good blocker, good jumper, and good catcher.
The official scoring took a couple reps away from Eifert. He was arching his back a lot, too. Not great technique.
Jordan Reed from Florida posted only 16 reps on the Bench Press. Eifert posted 24.
Mayock has Eifert, Ertz, and then Escobar as his top 3, in that order. Which one do you want, Bucs fans?
Tyler Eifert logged a vertical of 35 1/2 inches. Very impressive. Both Ertz and Escobar came up short of that.
NFL.com shows that the tight ends will start running the 40 at 1 PM eastern time.
Gavin Escobar has been a trendy pick for people today, certainly building some hype. CBSSports NFL Draft profile warns that he’s not got the strength of a tight end, and is more of a slot receiver. Something to keep in mind if you prefer a more well rounded tight end.
“Todd McShay @McShay13
Ertz and Eifert have very good hands, but best ball skills grade I gave to TEs went to SDSU TE Gavin Escobar”
Vance McDonald of Rice and Zach Ertz of Stanford posted the best numbers in the bench press, logging 31 and 24 reps, respectively. Both are capable in the passing game, as well.
Gavin Escobar from San Diego State is a very large man who can also get off his feet and post a good vertical leap.
Tight ends are doing the broad jump right now. Dion Sims of Michigan State struggling with the broad jump and his balance, and Tyler Eifert posting his score in the vertical jump.
Leo is a lifelong Tampa Bay sports fan, currently living in central Florida. He loves the Rays, Bucs, Magic, Bolts, and Swansea City (which is not in Florida). Leo is currently the editor of The Pewter Plank, a staff writer for Rays Colored Glasses, as well as the co-host of the Tampa 2 Podcast.
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