Green Bay Packers 2015 NFL Draft: Breaking down the tight end prospects

Tier Two

3. Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State (6-5, 254)
4. Tyler Kroft, Rutgers (6-6, 246)
5. Blake Bell, Oklahoma (6-6, 252)
6. Rory Anderson, South Carolina (6-5, 244)
7. MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois (6-2, 251)

The Skinny: At Ohio State, Heuerman was effective both as a blocker and receiver, and a player many believe was even under-utlized in the Buckeyes offense.

The 6-foot-5, 254-pound tight end is a vertical threat who can make plays down the seam and has the length and leaping ability to high-point the ball and make receptions over defenders.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights tight end Tyler Kroft (86) carries the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Max Redfield (10) attempts to tackle. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The All-Big 10 tight end offers all of the ideal measurables at the position, and despite his raw ability, Heuerman has plenty of potential to be a legitimate starting tight end at the next level.

Kroft is another mid-round tight end prospect with good size (6-5, 246) and athleticism who can be a vertical threat in the passing game.

While at Rutgers, Kroft’s size and speed (4.67) created mismatch problems over the middle for defenses on a regular basis, and Kroft showcased his ability to make plays in the passing game. In his sophomore season alone, Kroft had a breakout year, recording 43 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns.

Kroft battles every play, locking up and washing out defensive ends on a consistent basis. He plays much in the mold of Todd Heap or Jason Witten.

As a recently converted quarterback, Bell is a very raw tight end prospect with plenty of upside.

Bell hits the entire checklist of what teams look for physically in an NFL tight end.

Oklahoma Sooners tight end Blake Bell (10). Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

He has a tall, big frame (6-6, 252), decent speed (4.80), and moves well in space. Bell is a natural athlete who is still very young at the position and still figuring things out.

Anderson is a big, athletic tight end prospect with good speed and hands over the middle. He’s a developmental guy who could put together a nice pro career; however, injury and character concerns will drop him on draft day.

Pruitt was a highly productive tight end in Southern Illinois’s offense, amassing 81 receptions 861 yards and 13 touchdowns in his senior year alone.

He’s also probably the top athlete in this year’s tight end class, posting a 4.58 forty time and a 38-inch vertical at the NFL Combine.

The only thing working against him is his lack of height and his inconsistency as a blocker in the running game.

Next: Tier Three