MIKE MAYOCK'S CHOSEN FEW
ORSON CHARLES
6-3, 251, Georgia
First-team All-SEC selection last season after catching 45 passes for 574 yards and five touchdowns. … Left school with one year of eligibility remaining. … Second-team All-SEC choice in 2010 and All-Freshman team pick in 2009. … Not the biggest of tight ends but deceptively strong, leading all tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine with 35 bench-press repetitions.
COBY FLEENER
6-6, 247, Stanford
Quite a physical and statistical specimen. … Caught 32 passes as a senior for 648 yards – an average of 20.3 yards per catch - with 10 touchdowns. … Ran a sub-4.50 in the 40 and had a vertical jump of 37 inches at his pro day after tying for second among tight ends at the combine with 27 repetitions in the bench press. … Grabbed 94 passes for 1,524 yards and 18 touchdowns in four seasons.
DWAYNE ALLEN
6-3, 255, Clemson
Mackey Award winner and first-team All-American caught 50 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns last season. … Turned pro with one season of eligibility remaining. … Tied a pair of school records for tight ends: career receptions (93) and touchdowns (12). … Known more for reliable hands and route-running than speed and blocking ability.
DEANGELO PETERSON
6-3, 243, LSU
Valued more for potential than production, catching 39 passes for 459 yards and three touchdowns in four seasons. … A speedy receiver-type who can create coverage mismatches for linebackers. … Not particularly strong or adept as a blocker but has enough physical tools to intrigue scouts.
LADARIUS GREEN
6-6, 238, Louisiana-Lafayette
An interesting small-school prospect with big numbers to his credit, highlighted by 44 catches for 794 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. … Has the ability to line up at split end and can hold his own with his speed (4.53 in 40), body control and hands. … May lack the strength to line up consistently as a traditional NFL tight end.
LOCALS WORTH A LOOK
GEORGE BRYAN
6-5, 265, N.C. State
A unique mix of tools, with arguably the best blocking skills and best hands among the draft prospects at the position. … Only question might be ability to get free from defenders to make catches. … Scored 17 touchdowns over four seasons while catching 126 passes for 1,323 yards.
BRIAN LINTHICUM
6-4, 249, Michigan State
Played at Clemson in 2007 before transferring to Michigan State. … Resumed his career with the Spartans in 2009 and finished strong, making seven catches for 115 yards in the Outback Bowl. … Caught 80 passes for 936 yards and six touchdowns over four seasons.
