This draft class only contains one surefire first-round tight end, but a run at the position is likely around the middle of round two. Shawn Nelson, Jared Cook, Cornelius Ingram, and James Casey possess similar skill sets as athletic, catch-first TEs with little blocking experience. This is a strong group, but with the college game so spread-offense oriented TEs are more versed as slot receivers than in-line run blockers. Tight ends possessing the physical frame to grow into productive blockers in addition to their receiving prowess like Nelson, Cook, Ingram, and Davon Drew get a leg up.

1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State

Height/Weight: 6'5/263
College Experience: Fifth-year senior
Combine Nos.: 4.87 forty, 22x225, 33" vertical, 9'10" broad, 4.37 short shuttle
Comparison: Zach Miller
2008 Stats: 42 - 472 (11.2) - 0 Tds

Positives: Pettigrew gained ideal experience as a three-year starter in coach Mike Gundy's run-heavy offense. A punisher on the line, Pettigrew paved the way for undersized lead backs Dantrell Savage and Kendall Hunter to rush for 2,827 yards (6.1 YPC) between 2007 and 2008. Pettigrew possesses massive 10 3/4-inch hands and rarely drops passes. He is an excellent all-around athlete, even if he isn't a blazer. Pettigrew is also a physical, competitive player with a nasty streak. He was a major after-catch threat before an ankle injury plagued him as a senior.

Negatives: Pettigrew never scored more than four touchdowns in a college season and was shut out of the end zone as a senior. Linemen carrying significantly more weight ran comparable forty times at the Combine. Pettigrew will not be a consistent seam stretcher or downfield threat and must improve his red-zone efficiency. He was booked for felony assault and battery of a police officer in winter 2008, although charges were later reduced.

Verdict: Traditional in-line TEs are a dying breed, but remain in demand. A far superior blocker to recent first-rounders Marcedes Lewis, Greg Olsen, and Dustin Keller, Pettigrew is a lock to go in the first 32 picks and will likely be an every-down starter as a rookie. He'll never be a game changing receiver, however, and a limited ceiling figures to keep Pettigrew out of the top 20.

2. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi

Height/Weight: 6'5/240
College Experience: Fifth-year senior
Combine Nos.: 4.56 forty, 19x225, 33" vertical, 9'7" broad jump
Comparison: Greg Olsen
2008 Stats: 53 - 557 (10.5) - 3 Tds

Positives: A highly productive four-year starter, Nelson paced the Eagles' run-first offense in catches as a freshman and sophomore, and finished second on the team in receiving in his last two years. Often playing in the slot, Nelson rarely had trouble beating single coverage with near-ideal speed and polished route running. Nelson's stock soared at the Senior Bowl when he showed willingness to block, holding his own against some of the nation's top pass rushers. Mostly durable throughout his career, Nelson exhibited toughness playing through a broken hand as a sophomore.

Negatives: Nelson has potential in the run game, but won't be an asset there as a rookie. He lacks the upper-body strength and technique to block NFL defensive ends. Nelson also drops catchable passes too often and did not make overwhelming year-to-year gains in college. Nelson faced weak competition in C-USA and wasn't considered an elite prospect until pre-draft activities.

Verdict: Nelson has the long-term growth potential to be an every-down tight end. His floor is as a seam-busting No. 2. Either way, Nelson is a safe bet to contribute and merits consideration in the top-42 picks.

3. Jared Cook, South Carolina

Height/Weight: 6'5/246
College Experience: Fourth-year junior
Combine Nos.: 4.50 forty, 23x225, 41" vertical, 10'3" broad jump
Comparison: Ben Watson
2008 Stats: 37 - 573 (15.5) - 3 Tds

Positives: Cook's size-athleticism ratio is possibly the most impressive at any position in this draft. Being able to sky 41 inches and run 4.5 flat at 6'5/246 is almost inhuman. He could probably bulk up to 270 and still run sub-4.6. Cook is a mismatch waiting to happen at the intermediate and deep levels, and offers elite second-gear speed. Few linebackers and safeties will be able to stay with him. Cook showed annual improvement in college and hasn't begun to tap his long-term potential. He entered SC as a wideout/safety and has only 15 career starts at tight end.

Negatives: Cook is raw from every standpoint. He was often split out wide under coach Steve Spurrier and will have to learn to run routes in tight quarters. Cook is an indifferent blocker at times and highly inexperienced as an in-line tight end. He will basically have to rebuild his game from scratch in a pro-style offense and obviously is a project.

Verdict: Is Cook a football player or just an athlete? Some aspects of his profile are similar to Dustin Keller's a year ago, except that Keller clearly was passionate about all aspects of the game and boasted a far superior track record of production. Still, Cook's otherworldly upside is worth drafting on the first day and he could make a situational impact if used correctly in year one.

4. James Casey, Rice

Height/Weight: 6'3/246
College Experience: Third-year sophomore
Combine Nos.: 4.78 forty, 28x225, 36" vertical, 9'3" broad jump
Comparison: Owen Daniels
2008 Stats: 111 - 1,329 (12.0) - 13 Tds, 57 - 241 (4.2) - 6 Tds

Positives: Listed as a QB/TE by the Owls, Casey was the most versatile player in the nation last year. In addition to his receiving and rushing totals, he handled 14 punts for an eight-yard average and threw a pair of red-zone touchdowns. Casey's athleticism is mediocre, but his ball skills, body control, and route running are elite. He is a determined after-catch runner and fearless over the middle. Casey makes up for subpar explosiveness by consistently finding the soft spot in zone defenses. He is bright, instinctive, and has outstanding work ethic.

Negatives: Casey played only two seasons of college ball after trying his hand in the White Sox's system for three years. Rice ran a heavy spread offense, using Casey mostly as a slot receiver. Simply put, he has no experience as a tight end. Casey also has considerably smaller hands (9 1/4") and arms (30 5/8") than this draft's other top TEs, though he rarely drops passes.

Verdict: Many conservative teams won't even consider Casey because there's no reason to think he can help them run the football. However, he could evolve into a major contributor in a system like New England, San Diego, Indianapolis, or New Orleans'. Still, we've seen similar players like Garrett Mills from Tulsa fail, and Casey isn't a sure bet for a long career.

5. Cornelius Ingram, Florida

Height/Weight: 6'4/245
College Experience: Fifth-year senior
Combine Nos.: 4.68 forty, 21x225, 33" vertical, 9'2" broad jump
Comparison: L.J. Smith
2008 Stats: DNP (torn ACL)

Positives: A standout athlete, Ingram was a top high school QB recruit and played there as a freshman. He also appeared in 19 games as a reserve guard on the 2004 UF hoops team. Ingram caught 34 passes for 508 yards (14.9 YPC) and seven TDs as a junior before sitting out all of '08. He showed the ability to pluck and run and make tough catches in traffic, especially on crossing routes. Ingram is sure handed and a legitimate vertical threat, though he was probably faster as a junior.

Negatives: After nearly declaring for the 2008 draft, Ingram tore his ACL in August and missed his entire senior season. He has little experience playing from a three-point stance or blocking on the line. Ingram will go over the middle, but is not considered an overly physical player and saw much of his playing time out wide or in the slot. He nearly quit the Gators' football team after Urban Meyer's first year and Ingram's dedication has been questioned.

Verdict: Ingram might be competing to be the second TE drafted had he stayed healthy as a senior. Though Ingram carries plenty of question marks, his skill set is difficult to find and warrants consideration at the top of round three.

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