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2015 NFL Draft: Top 10 Tight Ends

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By @Spencer_NFL

2015 NFL Draft: Top 10 Tight Ends

Ben Koyack Notre Dame
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Tight end may be the weakest position in the 2015 NFL Draft. This is especially true at the top, as only one TE has a Round 1 or Round 2 grade. Last year, 10 tight ends were drafted. While the total will be about the same, this year's class will have to wait a while to hear their names called. Here are the top 10 tight ends available in the 2015 NFL Draft.

10. Nick Boyle (Delaware)

Nick Boyle Delaware
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

10. Nick Boyle (Delaware)

Nick Boyle Delaware
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Boyle cemented his status as a draft pick during Senior Bowl week. His week of practice not only impressed NFL scouts, but the quarterbacks as well. Although he caught only two passes in the game, Boyle was targeted six times. On one drive with Oregon State's Sean Mannion at QB, the Delaware TE was targeted on four consecutive plays. He caught more than 100 passes in college and could be a reliable No. 2 TE for an NFL club.

9. Wes Saxton (South Alabama)

Wes Saxton South Alabama
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

9. Wes Saxton (South Alabama)

Wes Saxton South Alabama
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

If Wes Saxton is drafted, it will be based on his 2013 tape, as he caught 50 passes for 635 yards that year. He seemed poised for a breakout 2014 season, but his numbers dropped to 20 catches and 155 yards. Whether it was a move to H-back, an injury that caused him to miss three games, or the fact that he dropped way too many passes, he failed to live up to the hype. He's a below-average blocker, so catching the ball is how he'll make a team.

8. Blake Bell (Oklahoma)

Blake Bell Oklahoma
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

8. Blake Bell (Oklahoma)

Blake Bell Oklahoma
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

"The Belldozer" checks in at No. 8. In his first two seasons at Oklahoma, Blake Bell was a redzone specialist who rushed for 24 touchdowns. After starting at QB in 2013, Bell made his final move to TE during his senior season. Despite being new to the position, he showed great awareness and hauled in 16 passes. He still has a lot to learn about the position, but Bell's potential is why he'll be drafted.

7. Tyler Kroft (Rutgers)

Tyler Kroft Rutgers
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7. Tyler Kroft (Rutgers)

Tyler Kroft Rutgers
Getty Images

Another TE who struggled to match his 2013 numbers is Tyler Kroft. He caught 19 less passes and had 304 fewer yards in 2014, but he still decided to leave school early. He lined up as a slot WR, TE and H-back at Rutgers, and played well at all three spots. The downside is while he's been a solid contributor, he's not great in any one area. His parting shot at QB Gary Nova during his draft announcement won't sit well with NFL teams either.

6. Jeff Heuerman (Ohio State)

Jeff Heuerman Ohio State
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

6. Jeff Heuerman (Ohio State)

Jeff Heuerman Ohio State
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

If Braxton Miller had played in 2014, there's a good chance Jeff Heuerman would be higher on this list. His numbers dropped off significantly as J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones both ignored the 6-foot-5 TE. Although his impact in the passing game was minimal, Heuerman really improved as a blocker. However, with the NFL favoring versatile, pass-catching tight ends, his stock will take a hit. He should come off the board in Round 4 or Round 5.

5. Jesse James (Penn State)

Jesse James Penn State
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5. Jesse James (Penn State)

Jesse James Penn State
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This seems to be a trend with this class, but Jesse James is another player who played better in 2013 than 2014. Yes, he caught 13 more passes in 2014, but his yards per catch were down and the explosion after the catch was missing. A lot of the blame can be placed on the poor play of QB Christian Hackenberg, but James struggled to get open as defenses paid more attention to him. At 6-foot-7, he's a huge target and should excel in the red zone.

4. Nick O'Leary (Florida State)

Nick O'Leary Florida State
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

4. Nick O'Leary (Florida State)

Nick O'Leary Florida State
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

While he's been a reliable safety valve for Jameis Winston, Nick O'Leary is better suited to play in the backfield at the next level because of his size. At 6-foot-3, he is smaller than every TE drafted last year. If he wasn't so good at catching the ball, it's unlikely O'Leary would be anymore than a special teams player. He should have a receiving role similar to that of the Oakland Raiders' Marcel Reese and the Baltimore Ravens' Kyle Juszczyk.

3. Clive Walford (Miami)

Clive Walford Miami
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

3. Clive Walford (Miami)

Clive Walford Miami
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most versatile tight ends in this class is Miami's Clive Walford. The 6-foot-4 Walford caught 44 passes for 676 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season with the Hurricanes. His numbers are even more impressive when you factor in that Miami started a freshman QB and Walford missed time with a knee injury. He's riding positive momentum after a stellar week of Senior Bowl practices and will be a Day 2 pick.

2. Ben Koyack (Notre Dame)

Ben Koyack Notre Dame
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2. Ben Koyack (Notre Dame)

Ben Koyack Notre Dame
Getty Images

Despite having just 14 receptions entering the 2014 season, it shouldn't be a surprise to see Ben Koyack this high on the list. After sitting behind Tyler Eifert and Troy Niklas for three seasons, Koyack finally got his chance to start. Even with erratic QB play, he caught 30 passes for 317 yards. While Eifert and Niklas were more productive as receivers, Koyack's ability to catch the football is not in question. He has a Round 3 grade.

1. Maxx Williams (Minnesota)

Maxx Williams Minnesota
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Maxx Williams (Minnesota)

Maxx Williams Minnesota
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Redshirt sophomore Maxx Williams was the only reliable receiving threat in Minnesota's run-heavy offense. He caught twice as many passes (36) and four times as many touchdowns (eight) as anyone else on the team. While not a great blocker, he's adequate enough where he won't need to come off the field on running plays. He has a Round 2 grade, but will likely be a first-round pick due to the lack of quality TE options in this draft class.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:
 2015 NFL Draft: Top 15 Quarterbacks
 2015 NFL Draft: Top 15 Wide Receivers

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