With The First Pick
Fansided

NFL Draft: 4 tight ends to watch in Week 1 of the CFB season

By Dan Matney

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Jared Pinkney #80 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the ball during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Jared Pinkney #80 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the ball during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 1: Tight end Jared Rice #16 of the Fresno State Bulldogs pushes through a tackle by safety Kekaula Kaniho #28 of the Boise State Broncos during second half action in the Mountain West Championship on December 1, 2018 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Fresno State won the game 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 1: Tight end Jared Rice #16 of the Fresno State Bulldogs pushes through a tackle by safety Kekaula Kaniho #28 of the Boise State Broncos during second half action in the Mountain West Championship on December 1, 2018 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Fresno State won the game 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

Jared Rice, Fresno State

Fresno State’s Jared Rice is the most athletic player of this group and has a high ceiling if he can develop in a few areas. He has a long, lean 6-foot-5, 243-pound frame that still has room for growth.

He has really good speed for the position and creates matchups against linebackers and some safeties. Rice has long stride length and chews up yardage in a hurry.

Rice has a large catch radius and can climb the ladder to secure passes in jump ball situations. He’s strong at the catch point and has stick hands. Rice runs fluid routes and sinks his hips going in and out of his breaks. Rice’s route tree consists of mostly outs, posts, wheels, slants, seams, and drags.

Rice has agility after the catch and runs his feet through contact. He fights for additional yardage through contact and has a knack for finding the first down marker on third down.

He’s still developing as a blocker, but Rice could have some issues as a blocker early in his pro career.

Rice can win the leverage battle initially, but he struggles to keep his pads down. He can get his hands inside but he struggles at times to sustain his grip, and Rice struggles to drive guys away at the point-of-attack.

He’s an effective combo blocker and flashes some ability at the 2nd level, but Rice sometimes takes questionable angles and allows his assignment to get to the ball untouched.

He faces a tough test the first week against USC. Rice still has the quickness to expose their secondary, but they are the fastest team he’ll see this year and will have to fight for every yard he gets. They’re physical upfront and it will be a great chance to see where Rice’s development as a blocker stands heading into his final season.

Home/NFL Draft News