NFL Draft- Tight Ends

In today's NFL game, teams are constantly looking for a tight end that can spread the field, find holes in the defense to move the chains, and be a red zone target. While this draft did not feature any game-changing tight ends in the mold of the San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates and the Dallas Cowboys Jason Witten, there are more than a few tight ends that will be more than able to help a team's offense become more dimensional.

The New York Jets traded up to make Purdue's Dustin Keller the first and only tight end drafted in the first round. The Jets hope Keller can help young quarterback Kellen Clemens develop into their franchise quarterback. New York also hopes that Keller's athletic ability and hands make up for his lack of size so he can help the Jets spread the field, something that has been a major problem for New York. Keller has the ability to turn into an extremely productive tight end for the Jets, and their move to trade up was a wise one.

Another team in need of tight end help, the Seattle Seahawks, used the 38th overall pick on former Notre Dame tight end John Carlson. Carlson did not put up huge numbers in college, he has good size and should be a very good option for Matt Hasselback in the red zone or in third down situations. If Carlson can put a halt on dropping the football, he can turn out to be a solid NFL tight end.

10 picks after Seattle took Carlson, the Washington Redskins added yet another weapon to be used at Jason Campbell's dispense, this time taking tight end Fred Davis from USC. Davis, the winner of the Mackey Award (given to the nation's top tight end) may not make an immediate impact for Washington, but eventually, his athleticism and pass-catching abilities will make him very valuable to the Redskins. By adding Davis and receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, the Redskins suddenly have the makings of a high-powered, multi-dimensional offense.

Later in the second round, the Redskins biggest rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, added tight end Martellus Bennett from Texas A&M. Like Davis, Bennett probably will not make an immediate impact in Big D. However, Bennett has the speed, hands, and size to be a very good pass-catching tight end in the NFL. Also, with many opposing defenses already focused on stopping Terrell Owens and Jason Witten, Bennett may find openings to catch the ball.

The first tight end drafted in the third round was Tennessee's Brad Cottam. Cottam, who collegiate career was limited by injuries, was another impressive choice by the Chiefs as they try to get younger and better. Cottam's size (6'8"), speed, and pass-catching ability give Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle a huge weapon to find while in the pocket. What makes this selection intriguing is if Cottam can find a way to stay healthy. He has the most potential of any tight end of this draft, and could end being a very good tight end at the NFL level.

Other notable tight ends drafted were Texas' Jermichael Finley, drafted by the Green Bay Packers. Finley has excellent speed, and if he continues to work hard at his route running and pass catching, he could turn out to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Finley has tremendous potential.

Besides Finley, other notables include Missouri tight end Michael Rucker (Cleveland Browns) and California's Craig Stevens (Tennessee Titans). Stevens and Rucker both offer their respective teams the ability to catch the ball and be reliable blockers. They have the potential to be solid starting tight ends in the NFL, and in their worst case scenario, will be very reliable backups.

Next: 2008 NFL Draft- Offensive Tackles