2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the 2012 NFL Draft's Top 5 Tight Ends

If 2012 was the "Year of the Quarterback," then the tight end position was its main beneficiary.

Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots shattered the single-season record for touchdown catches by a tight end, and Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints topped 1,300 receiving yards and caught 99 passes.

However, many teams aren't blessed with such dominant players at the position, and NFL squads looking to improve at tight end will likely look to this group of college football standouts first.

5. David Paulson, Oregon

2011 Stats: 31 receptions, 438 yards, six touchdowns

Tight end David Paulson was relatively quiet during his senior season at Oregon, but the 6'4," 241-pounder's quiet statistical season was as much a result of Oregon's up-tempo spread offense as any deficiency in Paulson's game.

Paulson doesn't have great size or speed and will likely need to work on his blocking after rarely lining up as a "traditional" tight end at Oregon, but given some time to develop he could become a solid starting tight end in the National Football League.

2012 Draft Outlook: fourth round

4. Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette

2011 Stats: 51 receptions, 606 yards, eight touchdowns

Ladarius Green was a first-team All-Conference selection a year ago, as the 6'6", 237-pound senior showed off his speed and soft hands while topping 50 catches for the Ragin' Cajuns.

There are some concerns about the health of Green's knees and he needs to bulk up some and improve his blocking skills, but Green also possesses significant upside as a bit of a "project" at the tight-end position.

2012 Draft Outlook: third round

3. Orson Charles, Georgia

2011 Stats: 45 receptions, 574 yards, five touchdowns

The numbers don't reflect it, but there may not be a more athletic tight end in the 2012 draft class than Orson Charles of Georgia, whose speed creates mismatches with linebackers and safeties over the middle.

The 6'6", 241-pound All-SEC performer isn't as polished in pass protection as the top two players on this list, but given some time to improve in that regard and his outstanding athleticism, it could easily be Charles that we look at as the cream of this crop a few years down the line.

2012 Draft Outlook: third round

2. Coby Fleener, Stanford

2011 Stats: 34 receptions, 667 yards, 10 touchdowns

Stanford tight end Coby Fleener was a big part of the Cardinals aerial attack last year, averaging nearly 20 yards a reception and garnering third-team All-American honors.

At 6'6" and 244 pounds, Fleener is an excellent receiver and capable pass protector who didn't miss a game in four years at Stanford. While he needs to improve in run blocking, he has the potential to become an All-Pro at the next level.

2012 Draft Outlook: second round

1. Dwayne Allen, Clemson

2011 Stats: 49 receptions, 592 yards, eight touchdowns

First-team All-American tight end Dwayne Allen helped propel the Clemson Tigers to a BCS bowl berth a season ago, topping 12 yards a reception and scoring eight times while displaying the ability to not only get open with regularity but also make the most of those opportunities.

The 6'4" and 255 pounds, Allen is also a solid blocker, making him the most "NFL-ready" player at his position in this year's draft class and the rookie tight end most capable of posting a big season for his new team in 2012.

2012 Draft Outlook: second round