SI 300 Rankings: TE
From pure blockers to seam busters—the position evolves WITH 2014 STATS
27 MAXX WILLIAMS
Minnesota (6'4", 249 lbs.)
36 rec / 569 yards / 8 TDs
PROS
Freakishly athletic field stretcher. Tough to tackle—known to hurdle defenders.
CONS
Needs to hone route-running. Cannot be counted on as an in-line blocker.
NFL COMP
Kyle Rudolph
80 CLIVE WALFORD
Miami (6'4", 251 lbs.)
44 rec / 676 yards / 7 TDs
PROS
Reliable (and getting better) as a blocker. Can get past a safety or shake a LB.
CONS
Drops have been an issue in the past.
NFL COMP
Brent Celek
110 JEFF HEUERMAN
Ohio State (6'5", 254 lbs.)
17 rec / 207 yards / 2 TDs
PROS
Good hands; solid route runner. Strong enough to tie up defenders at the line.
CONS
Play strength doesn't match weight-room strength. Often injured.
NFL COMP
Scott Chandler
114 TYLER KROFT
Rutgers (6'5", 246 lbs.)
24 rec / 269 yards / 0 TDs
PROS
Former high school WR knows how to get open. Willing to fight for extra yards.
CONS
Not ready to block bigger, stronger defenders.
NFL COMP
Luke Willson
125 BLAKE BELL
Oklahoma (6'6", 252 lbs.)
16 rec / 214 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
So-called Bell-dozer moves well for his frame.
CONS
Not ready to be a consistent downfield threat.
NFL COMP
Heath Miller
133 BEN KOYACK
Notre Dame (6'5", 255 lbs.)
30 rec / 317 yards / 2 TDs
PROS
Size and frame to be effective in running/passing games. Soft hands, will catch the ball in traffic.
CONS
Not explosive after the catch. Lacks big-play ability.
NFL COMP
Crockett Gillmore
139 JESSE JAMES
Penn State (6'7", 261 lbs.)
38 rec / 396 yards / 3 TDs
PROS
Long body. Athletic for his size. Good hands. Played well in pressure situations.
CONS
Not a great blocker. Probably left PSU too soon.
NFL COMP
Levine Toilolo
145 NICK O'LEARY
Florida State (6'3", 252 lbs.)
48 rec / 618 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Jack Nicklaus's grandson has excellent hands, fantastic catch radius. Adjusts to balls in incredible ways.
CONS
Can be lazy.
NFL COMP
Chris Cooley
192 MYCOLE PRUITT
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (6'2", 251 LBS.)
81 rec / 861 yards / 13 TDs
PROS
Elite measurables; one of the secret stars of the combine. Moves like a WR in space.
CONS
Rounds routes. Issues with high-pointing ball.
NFL COMP
David Thomas
204 NICK BOYLE
Delaware (6'4", 268 lbs.)
37 rec / 304 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Has the size to be a great blocker with the athleticism to still haul in catches.
CONS
Not the quickest; ran a 5.04 40 at the combine.
NFL COMP
Brent Celek
217 E.J. BIBBS
Iowa State (6'2", 258 lbs.)
45 rec / 382 yards / 8 TDs
PROS
Bona fide red zone threat. Excellent hands. Works well in tight spaces.
CONS
Doesn't pose downfield threat. Not physical or big enough to be an in-line TE.
NFL COMP
Orson Charles
227 WES SAXTON
S. Alabama (6'3", 248 lbs.)
20 rec / 155 yards / 0 TDs
PROS
Natural hands catcher. Was a WR in high school and can still stop and start well for his size.
CONS
Lacks effort blocking at times. Rounds some routes.
NFL COMP
Fred Davis
240 CASEY PIERCE
Kent State (6'4", 242 lbs.)
60 rec / 641 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Blocks with a wide base; has good hand placement. Held his own against a tough '14 college schedule.
CONS
Doesn't create much separation or pick up many yards after the catch.
NFL COMP
Anthony Fasano
251 C.J. UZOMAH
Auburn (6'5", 264 lbs.)
11 rec / 145 yards / 3 TDs
PROS
No. 3 all time in TDs among Tigers TEs, despite Auburn's limiting offense. Could do even better in NFL.
CONS
Massive target, but doesn't use his frame as well as he could. Lets the ball get in on his body.
NFL COMP
Alex Smith
253 RANDALL TELFER
USC (6'4", 250 lbs.)
21 rec / 197 yards / 2 TDs
PROS
Tough, physical runner; natural hands catcher. Tracks the ball over his shoulder. High-character player.
CONS
Can be lumbering. Lacks lateral quickness, agility to make tacklers miss in the open field.
NFL COMP
Ben Patrick
260 RORY ANDERSON
South Carolina (6'5", 244 lbs.)
22 rec / 260 yards / 1 TD
PROS
Tremendous speed; great vertical threat. Terrific body control and leaping ability.
CONS
Injuries (hamstring, two triceps tears) are a major concern.
NFL COMP
Ladarius Green
272 ERIC TOMLINSON
UTEP (6'6", 263 lbs.)
19 rec / 134 yards / 1 TD
PROS
Absolutely massive. Willing blocker; will take on DEs at the point of attack. Good hands but not dominant at the catch point.
CONS
Lacks speed to get open consistently against LBs.
NFL COMP
Matthew Mulligan
283 JEAN SIFRIN
UMass (6'5", 245 lbs.)
42 rec / 642 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Smooth, fluid athlete. Changes direction well for his size. Can make contested catches with his frame, long arms.
CONS
If he were 22—not 27—you might have something.
NFL COMP
Tim Wright
286 GERALD CHRISTIAN
LOUISVILLE (6'3", 244 LBS.)
32 rec / 384 yards / 5 TDs
PROS
Had the most bench-press reps, 28, of any TE at combine—a testament to his blocking.
CONS
Must improve pass-catching skills.
NFL COMP
Owen Daniels
2014 FBS touchdown leaders
E.J. BIBBS & MAXX WILLIAMS, TIED WITH 8
Top 40 time at combine
MYCOLE PRUITT 4.58
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TRASK SMITH/ZUMAPRESS.COM
PHOTO
ZACH BOLINGER/ICON SPORTSWIRE (PRUITT)
PHOTO
ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES (CHRISTIAN)