NFL Combine 2012: 4 Tight Ends Who Shined in Workouts

The 2012 NFL draft is going to be relatively weak when it comes to the tight end position. You are going to see a bunch of mid-round picks, but not many tight ends being selected in the first or second round.

Both Coby Fleener and Orson Charles, the top two tight ends in the draft, didn't compete in the 40-yard dash for unspecified reasons.

So, less known players had an opportunity to prove themselves.

This article is going to focus on four tight ends who shined during Saturday workouts in Indianapolis.

4. David Paulson, Oregon

Results: 4.93 40-yard dash, 21 bench press reps, 32" vertical jump, 110" broad jump

David Paulson didn't shine too much in the generic measurements, but he stood out in the gauntlet drill. The former Oregon tight end has solid reaction to the passes in this drill, ran on a dime and did everything asked of him.

Paulson has the measurements to be a solid receiving tight end at the next level.

At this point I would conclude that he is a mid-round pick and this performance at the combine proved that. You are looking at a player who is going to be solid between the hashes and possesses really good hands. He didn't struggle with technique catching the ball, and looked extremely fluid in drills today.

3. James Hanna, Oklahoma

Results: 4.49 40-yard dash, 24 bench press reps, 36" vertical jump, 122 broad jump

James Hanna really stood out in the generic tests today. He ran the best 40 of any tight end in the combine, looked extremely fluid running in the gauntlet and was strong in the other areas I indicated above.

He is still a late-round pick, but this performance showed a possibility that Hanna might actually jump into the mid-rounds, as teams looking for an athletic receiving tight end will take a long look at the former Oklahoma standout.

Comparison at this point could be drawn to Greg Olsen of the Carolina Panthers.

2. Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette

Results: 4.53 40-yard dash, 16 bench press reps, 34.5" vertical jump, 124" broad jump

One of the most intriguing offensive prospects in the entire 2012 NFL draft, Ladarius Green has a chance to be a real steal for a team looking at adding a dynamic playmaker on offense. He has all the physical features that you look for in a tight end between the hashes.

While Green isn't too solid when it comes to blocking, he is practically a tight end in a wide receiver's body, reminding me a great deal of Jermichael Finley.

Green helped his stock considerably, with a fast 40 time and solid performance in the gauntlet drill. He could be a real keeper.

1. Michael Egnew, Missouri

Results: 4.62 40-yard dash, 21 bench press reps, 36" vertical jump, 131" broad jump

Prior to Orson Charles declaring for the draft, I had Michael Egnew as the top tight end on my board. He proved me right with an astounding combine performance today.

He was stellar in all the generic drills and looked really comfortable catching passes in skill-specific drills. This is a player I had given a late third-round grade to. This performance might enable the Missouri product to go in the second round when the tight ends start jumping off the board.

Egnew seems like a great fit for the Miami Dolphins or Tennessee Titans.