February
2013 NFL Draft Preview: Ranking Packers Tight End Prospects
Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert
The 2013 NFL Draft offers a deep crop of tight ends, headlined by Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert and Stanford’s Zach Ertz. Both players can do everything NFL teams ask tight ends to do, but the class is much deeper than just the top two.
A handful of NFL-ready tight ends figure to come off the board on day two. And with the uncertain future of Jermichael Finley in Green Bay, the Packers could be in the market for a tight end at some point in this year’s draft.
Let’s take a closer look at the top ten tight ends in this year’s draft. There aren’t many surprises, although one player in my top ten wasn’t even invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
1. Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (6-5 250)
- Draft stock: Late 1st
- 40 time: 4.68, Vertical: 35.5″, 225-pound bench: 22 reps
- Two-year starter, averaged 55.5 receptions, 713.5 yards and 4.5 touchdowns per year as a starter.
- Backed up current Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph as a sophomore but still managed to find the field, recording 27 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns.
2. Zach Ertz, Stanford (6-5 249)
- Draft stock: Late 1st / Early 2nd
- 40 time: 4.76, Vertical: 30.5″, 225-pound bench: 24 reps
- One-year starter, caught 66 passes for 837 yards and six touchdowns as the starter in 2012.
