2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Potential Late-Round/Undrafted Free Agent TEs

As evidenced by newcomers like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham among veterans such as Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis and Jason Witten, tight ends are vitally important to an offense.

And considering that the NFL has become so heavily reliant on the passing game, finding those complete tight ends with excellent size and receiving ability is crucial.

That said, in a slim tight end draft this April, here are some who will go late or become undrafted free agents.

George Bryan, North Carolina State

He may not be fast or have excellent top speed, but North Carolina State's George Bryan knows how to run block and act as a reliable target over the middle.

An average size tight end at 6'5", 265 pounds, Bryan compiled 1,323 receiving yards on 126 receptions and scored 17 touchdowns for the Wolfpack.

The man may not be the most athletically gifted tight end, but uses his hands as a solid blocker and receiver.

Now, the quicker defensive ends will be a challenge for him as getting a consistent jump off the snap needs to improve. Still, Bryan's downfield run-blocking ability is best used as a chip blocker on the edge and sealing off a linebacker.

In the passing game, his hands are golden and are not affected by his blocking contributions. Provided that he plays in a run balanced system that needs two tight ends, Bryan will see time in most red-zone situations.

Nick Provo, Syracuse

Although he didn't break out until the 2011 season, Syracuse's Nick Provo recorded seven touchdowns while catching 51 passes for 537 yards.

In 2010, Provo had a decent season for a tight end in catching 33 passes for 365 yards, but only scored one touchdown. With okay size for an NFL tight end at 6'4", 250 pounds, Provo is faster and more agile than meets the eye.

Therefore, expect him to be more serviceable in spread passing situations but no longer than intermediate down and distances. In other words, second-and-10, third-and-seven type down and distances as well as early when in the red zone.

With a quick couple steps off the snap, getting Provo to develop as a possession target between the zones is where he'll be most effective.

As for the ground game, putting him in motion and crack blocking on defensive ends and linebackers will prove beneficial, as well as on wide receiver screens.

David Paulson, Oregon

Easily one of the most underrated performers on the Oregon Duck's extremely explosive offense, David Paulson was one of coach Chip Kelly's solid contributors.

Combined between 2010 and 2011, Paulson caught 55 passes for 856 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.

Paulson's production as a receiver is more notable, but his ability to run block goes overlooked. Had it not been for his edge blocks and ability to consistently get to the second level, running back LaMichael James wouldn't have had nearly as much success.

His 6'4", 240-pound frame isn't your ideal NFL tight end, but he can thrive in a pass-balanced offense with a laterally quick running back.

Paulson can get the needed yards after contact and works best in a west-coast offense. Being that Oregon was fast paced as a unit in terms of the play-calling and the numbers of plays ran per game, Paulson will flourish in a fast system.

It's where his strengths come out and exploit a defense, because having another guy who can beat single coverage from linebackers and overpower nickel or dime backs, it only bodes well for the offense.

Josh Chichester, Louisville

If there's any one reason why a team needs to consider Louisville's Josh Chichester, it's because he is 6'8" and weighs 240 pounds.

With him being so tall, it's obviously rather difficult for Chichester to be a dominant run blocker in a pass-balanced system. Therefore, getting him on the line against 3-4 defenses and as a wing-tight end against 4-3 fronts suits well.

He'll be excellent near the red zone simply on jump balls as well as going over the middle to move the chains. The concern here is a quarterback throwing too high, thus exposing his ribs and becoming vulnerable to big hits.

However, Chichester proved well at Louisville—catching 97 passes for 1,253 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns.

The man also averaged no less than 14.0 yards per reception during 2010 and 2011, so it's obvious that getting yards after the catch happens quite often. With great hands and size, Chichester deserves a look from any franchise.

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: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
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: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

John Rozum on Twitter.