Sports Frog

This year's crop of tight ends is loaded with pass catching specialists. But as NFL teams start deciding what kind of TE they want, Ben Patrick's name will be on the rise from now until April. This former Delaware Blue Hen is considered to be the most well-rounded tight end prospect this year.

Patrick's college career started at Duke, until the Savannah native decided he didn't like where Duke's football program was headed. So it's clear Patrick is smart. And based on these two quotes (1, 2), he's also of good character.

What's most surprising is how well Patrick runs for a man of his size. At 270 pounds, Patrick displays excellent body control and agility. He's definitely not a tight end who will stretch the field or line up in the slot, but Patrick looks like he'll be a solid inline option. He's got soft hands and I suspect will contribute at the NFL level similar to someone like Daniel Graham has in New England.

The NFL Network ran a stat recently noting that over the last 6 drafts, 15.3 tight ends have been drafted on average each year. That number included 1.7 in the first round and 5.5 first day picks.

Ben Patrick won't end up being selected in the first round, but he'll go higher than many originally thought. And we'll see his stock continue to rise as the scouting combine begins this weekend. Teams will get to see that he's very athletic for a 270 pounder and since he's already considered a good blocker in a receiving-heavy tight end class, Patrick's skill-set is a hard find in this year's draft.