Injuries aside, Gresham, Gronkowski top TE lists

The two best tight ends in the draft, Oklahoma's Jermaine Gresham and Arizona's Rob Gronkowski, didn't play a single snap during the 2009 season due to injuries, but both are leaving college with a year of eligibility remaining.

Gresham is a first-round lock for the NFL draft and Gronkowski may go before the second round ends. Both will face challenges as rookies.

Gresham, who missed last season with torn cartilage in his right knee, has every physical attribute NFL teams want in a tight end. He's a shade over 6-foot-5 and runs in the 4.6s at 261 pounds. He's a bit raw but has soft hands and a world of potential. In one season as a starter (2008) he set school records for a tight end with 950 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 66 catches.

Though Gresham is the unanimous top tight end in this draft, he's not getting complacent.

"I don't think I'm the best," he said. "I've got room for improvement."

Gresham's hands are considered excellent by most scouts, even though he occasionally will drop a catchable ball from a lapse in concentration. Hegrades himself on a tough curve when asked to evaluate his hands.

"My hands? A 6," he said. "Because they need a lot of improvement. Because I've dropped balls before. That's something I need to work on. I need to be more consistent."

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, not one to throw superlatives around lightly, compared Gresham to former Sooners running back Adrian Peterson after his instant impact as a true freshman.

"I never thought I was anywhere close to that guy's stature because he's a freak; an athletic specimen," Gresham said. "So when I heard that, it made me feel good. But, in a sense, I know that he's just being a coach, just being a nice guy. I still think I have a lot to prove."

Gronkowski played just two years of college football, but he started 18 games and caught 75 passes for 1,197 yards and 16 touchdowns before missing last season following back surgery for a herniated disc and nerve damage. At 6-foot-6 1/4 and 264 pounds, he has the size and athleticism to be a complete tight end like Gresham. Gronkowski is a step slower and not as humble.

"I believe I have great hands," he said. "I'll catch anything in my path.

"I would say I'm the top tight end (in the draft) because I bring the whole package. I'm ready to take on the big D-ends. I'm ready to go out there and catch some passes."

Football is in Gronkowski's blood. Older brother Dan is a tight end with Detroit, and another older brother, Chris, played fullback at Arizona and is eligible for the draft, but he won't be picked anywhere near as high as his little brother. Their father, Gordon, played guard at Syracuse, so Rob gives props to his pops.

"I'll give him credit," he said. "It's the genes. Thanks, dad."

Top 10 tight endsJermaine Gresham, OklahomaRob Gronkowski, ArizonaDennis Pitta, Brigham YoungEd Dickson, OregonAaron Hernandez, FloridaTony Moeaki, IowaDorin Dickerson, PittsburghClay Harbour, Missouri StateJimmy Graham, MiamiAnthony McCoy, USCLeGere's view: The Bears already have a crowded house at tight end, but it's a good draft year for the position, with some freakishly athletic players like Pitta. He led all tight ends at the Scouting Combine with 27 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and also had the best times in the 20-yard shuttle (4.17 seconds), the 60-yard shuttle (11.53) and the three-cone drill (6.72). Dickerson is a converted linebacker who is too small (6-1 1/2, 226) to be true tight end but might be a perfect fit at H-back. He posted a 43 1/2-inch vertical jump, a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and a 10-foot-5-inch broad jump at the Combine, all tops for the tight end position. Hernandez was Tim Tebow's top receiver at Florida with 68 catches for 850 yards last year.Moeaki showed all the attributes of being a complete tight end as a senior, but he has missed time with wrist, elbow, foot, ankle, calf, hamstring and head injuries.2010 NFL DraftFor the first time in its 75-year history, the NFL draft moves to prime time from Radio City Music Hall in New York City.First round: Begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22Rounds 2-3: Begin at 5 p.m. Friday, April 23Rounds 4-7: Begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 24TV: NFL Network and ESPNBears picksFirst round: 11th pick traded to Denver in Jay Cutler dealSecond round: 10th pick (42nd overall) traded to Tampa Bay for DE Gaines AdamsThird round: 11th pick (75th)Fourth round: 11th pick (109th)Fifth round: 10th pick (141st) Sixth round: 12th pick (181st)Seventh round: 11th pick (218th)Source: NFL.com <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=373459">Olsen, Smith see big role ahead in Martz's offense <span class="date">[04/15/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>