2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Tight End

Written by Christian Lysek

TE Top Ten and First Look:

1. Adam Breneman, UMass
2. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State

3. Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
4. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
5. Mike Gesicki, Penn State
6. DeAndre Goolsby, Florida
7. Dalton Schultz, Stanford
8. Jeb Blazevich, Georgia
9. Ethan Wolff, Tennessee
10. Cam Serigne, Wake Forest

Last year's draft class was the first year multiple tight ends were drafted since 2006, a testament to how stacked the group was. Unfortunately, this year's group is much weaker by comparison. That doesn't mean it is without talent, however. This year's group is headlined by Adam Breneman, a small school standout from the University of Massachusetts. The Penn State transfer lit up opponents for 70 receptions, 808 yards, and 8 touchdowns in 2016. He wins with his superb athleticism and hands. Add in that he can be a valuable blocker, and it makes Breneman the top tight end prospect this year. Behind Breneman is another small school star, Dallas Goedert. Goedert had 92 receptions, 1293 receiving yards, and 11 TDs in 2016, so the production is there. Goedertight be the best athlete when it comes to tight ends in this class. He has very good speed on film and has superb ball skills, allowing him to make ridiculous downfield catches. Coming in at third on the list is Troy Fumagalli from Wisconsin. Coming from a pro-style and run heavy offense, Fumagalli is a very good blocker who understands leverage and how to create opportunities for his running back. Fumagalli also has the route running, athleticism, and hands to be a valuable target in the passing game. Mark Andrews is a slot tight end with great athleticism for his size (6'5", 250 lbs). He is a decent blocker, but he will make his money being a monstrous, athletic mismatch in the middle of the field. Mike Gesicki put his name on the map towards the end of last season, when he scored a touchdown in each of Penn State's last three games. At 6'6" and 252 pounds, Gesicki is a lumberer in the open field, but he has good hands and is a willing blocker. 

DeAndre Goolsby headlines the next five tight ends. Goolsby is a very good blocker and has strong hands for receiving. He may be lacking in the YAC department, but his skills as a blocker and safety target make up for it. Dalton Schultz is looking to be next in a long line of Stanford tight ends to be drafted. Schultz is a very skilled blocker coming from Stanford, he just needs to refine his route running to become elite. Jeb Blazevich has never been the Bulldog's premier receiver, but he has played a vital role in paving the way for Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. He has a future in the NFL as an Anthony Fasano-type of player. Another standout blocker is Ethan Wolff from Tennessee. He isn't as refined as Blazevich, but he does offer more as an athlete and could develop into something special this season. Last on the list is Cam Serigne. Serigne is built like a defensive end, but he has very good hands and has been a consistent player in the ever tough ACC.

Match-ups to Watch:

Florida vs Florida State, November 25th
This is a chance for DeAndre Goolsby to show his talent. A good game against FSU will help put his name on scout's radars. Florida State also has some tight ends that could do the same in Ryan Izzo and Marvin Saunders.

UMass vs Tennessee, September 23rd
This is a big moment for Adam Breneman. If he can prove his worth against SEC talent, scouts will take notice and start believing in him like I do.

Ohio State vs Oklahoma, September 9th
With star wide receiver DeDe Westbrook moving on to the NFL, Mark Andrews has a legitimate shot to be the number one receiver for the Sooners. This is also a chance for talented Buckeye tight end Marcus Baugh to make a name for himself against an athletic Sooner defense.

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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted