With The First Pick
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2018 NFL Draft: Ranking the top five tight ends

By Maxwell Ogden

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the football after a reception against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the football after a reception against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions warms up before the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions warms up before the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The 2018 NFL Draft has a tight end class that’s generally viewed as lackluster, but there are five tight ends who could prove the skeptics wrong.

The 2018 NFL Draft features a crop of talent that may not be blowing evaluators away, but has left many optimistic about the future of the league. A number of incoming players should be solid contributors who can help their respective teams create a measure of stability.

While some regard it as the weakest position class in the 2018 NFL Draft, there are tight ends who fit the label of players who can provide both short-term and long-term value.

In some instances, the top tight ends in this class are players who can provide a well-rounded impact. They’re not only dangerous as receivers, but hold their own as blockers in an era that’s constantly searching for players who can do both.

Not every prospect checks those boxes, but there are a select few players who do and have thus secured their status as somewhat coveted prospects.

On the other end of the spectrum are a list of players who thrive as receiving targets. They may not offer much as far as pass protection or run blocking are concerned, but they can be dynamic targets who diversify an offense.

The question is: Who are the top five tight ends in the 2018 NFL Draft and how might they be able to help a team at the next level?

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