2012NFL Draft: Analyzing and Projecting Dwayne Allen and the Top Tight Ends

If there's anything we learned from the 2011 NFL season, it's that having a threatening receiving tight end has become the next best thing for an offense.

With guys like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham dominating defenses virtually every week, the appeal of tight ends has certainly increased. That said, here's a look at the top tight ends of the 2012 NFL draft.

(Round 1) Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, Clemson

Definitely much more of a threat as a receiver than a run blocker, Clemson's Dwayne Allen will provide the Chicago Bears with an intermediate target to legitimately fill the gap left when Greg Olsen left.

Last season, Allen was part of a high-flying Clemson offense that averaged 440 total yards per game. As for Allen, he caught 50 passes for 598 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

Also, in a stretch of eight straight games, Allen caught at least four passes and increasingly became an important role in quarterback Tajh Boyd's offense. In the NFL, Allen will undoubtedly be Chicago's best threat as a receiving tight end and will force defenses to play more against the pass.

To that end, Allen will also serve best as a second-level blocker on outside linebackers and defensive backs. Instead of putting him constantly at the line next to the tackle, spreading him out and utilizing his quickness and speed to setup plays or make plays will be the Bears' best bet.

The worst-case scenario is that Allen's contributions will be limited to any long down and distance situations or play-action. With his size and reliable hands, single and zone coverages would be a great matchup.

(Round 2) St. Louis Rams: Coby Fleener, Stanford

Perhaps the best thing about Coby Fleener is his ability to block for rushers while still being a reliable receiver over the middle.

As part of a balanced Stanford Cardinal offense, Fleener was arguably quarterback Andrew Luck's best downfield weapon and favorite target. Last season, Fleener accounted for 667 yards on 34 receptions and scored 10 touchdowns. In 2010, he caught 28 passes for 434 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

Increased level of consistency in a run-balanced offense is what makes Fleener an appealing prospect, not to mention his blocking ability.

With the St. Louis Rams, Fleener would provide quarterback Sam Bradford another target over the middle and act as a sixth offensive lineman for running back Steven Jackson.

Fleener's 6'6", 245-pound frame will allow him to wall off defensive ends, chip block to linebackers and set the edge when sweeping or tossing Jackson to the outside. In turn, this also creates a running lane for the fullback to clean up the lane and make a block on any defensive back.

Although the Rams have a defensive-minded coach in Jeff Fisher, improving what was arguably the worst offense in 2011 needs to be a top priority.

(Round 2) New York Giants: Orson Charles, Georgia

Had it not been for some significant injuries to Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum, the New York Giants wouldn't be needing to address their tight end situation.

They'll need to do so because not having a reliable big man downfield will put a damper in Eli Manning's offense. Also, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York, both Giants tight ends won't be available by the start of 2012, since they will start the season on the physically unable to perform list.

Therefore, expect the Giants to have their eyes on a potential tight end to at least add depth for when Ballard and Beckum become healthy enough to play.

Enter Georgia's Orson Charles, who caught 45 passes for 574 yards and five touchdowns in 2011. Now, Charles isn't the 6'5" or 6'6" size tight end for whom many franchises look. However, his speed and route running will pay dividends.

Through his first two college seasons, Charles averaged over 16 yards per reception (had 49 combined catches between 2009 and 2010) and is solid at getting yards after the catch.

And since Big Blue is a pass-balanced attack, adding Charles will, if anything, fix the immediate tight end issue for at least the 2012 season.

(Round 4) Kansas City Chiefs: Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette

Since future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez left for the Atlanta Falcons, the Kansas City Chiefs have missed that reliable receiving tight end for the past few seasons.

Fortunately for K.C., there's a stud player in Ladarius Green from Louisiana-Lafayette who's going under the radar.

A considered late-third-/early fourth-round pick, the Chiefs would welcome Green as part of an offense with other playmakers like Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston and a sweet dual running back system of Jamaal Charles and Jackie Battle (provided that they re-sign Battle).

For four years with the Ragin' Cajuns Green was a solid contributor, but broke out his final two seasons and combined for 1,400 yards on 95 receptions, including 15 touchdowns.

In Kansas City, Green would provide excellent run-after-the-catch, leaping and quick route-running skills. He does need to improve as a blocker, but that will come with development as the Chiefs are a run-balanced offense.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

John Rozum on Twitter.