2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: TE Nick Boyle

The Falcons need a tight end to compete with Levine Toilolo for playing time after the Stanford graduate performed poorly during the 2014 season for Atlanta. Nick Boyle, out of the University of Delaware, is a very good all-around player for the position.

He had to deal with some awful quarterback play in Delaware and could turn a bad situation in college into an ideal one in the NFL if he winds up getting drafted by the Falcons. Atlanta could use someone with his skill set as the starting in-line tight end.

Nick Boyle

Tight End

University of Delaware

Measurements

Height: 6'4 1/2"

Weight: 267 pounds

Arm length: 33 3/8"

Hand measurement: 10 5/8"

Obtained firsthand at the Senior Bowl

Stats

2014: 12 games played, 37 catches, 304 yards, 4 touchdowns

2013: 12 games played, 42 catches, 474 yards, 7 touchdowns

2012: 10 games played, 20 catches, 181 yards

2011: 7 games played, 2 catches, 25 yards, 1 touchdown

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Scouting Report

Strengths

Nick Boyle has one of the best builds in this year's NFL draft. Despite being 267 pounds at just over 6'4", he holds it well and looks like a 240-pound player. He looks amazing when he catches the ball, as he uses his giant mitts to reel it in away from his body. 

He's also one of the best drive-blockers off the edge. He looks like a tackle out there on the end of the line when he is sealing and setting the edge. He'd be an instant asset to a team as a second tight end on run downs at the very least because of his understanding of the run game.

Weaknesses

Boyle isn't the best straight-line athlete and doesn't get in and out of his breaks quickly. He needs to learn how to box out defenders better as well, and needs to improve his route running in order to get better separation at the NFL level.

He hasn't played the best competition and didn't look amazing at Delaware, but a lot of that can be attributed to Delaware's lack of quarterback talent. If the Falcons take Boyle and want to maximize his impact, they will get him to work on his routes and connection with Matt Ryan.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

As a former team captain for the Blue Hens, Boyle has the character the Falcons want out of their players. Unlike most of the high-character guys the Falcons have gotten recently, he has a nasty streak on the field that makes him a very good blocker.

He's also completely clean off the field from what is out there and comes off as a humble, hard-working individual during his interviews. Watching him in practice at the Senior Bowl, he looks to take well to coaching and seems to do well when working on his craft, improving every day in practice.

Overview

Boyle has the tools to be an effective starting tight end in the NFL in the Ben Hartsock mold early in his career. If he can develop and fine-tune his route running and get more separation, he's got the potential to be the next Brent Celek.

The Falcons would do well to have someone along his caliber starting over Toilolo due to how poorly he has been in the past year. Boyle will have a long career in the NFL, and the only thing that will help his long-term potential is how well he develops in the passing game.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

The Falcons wouldn't have to spend more than a fourth- or even fifth-round pick to secure Boyle's talents. After watching him this week, he seems better than his college production lets on. But he still hasn't seen good quarterback play, even in Mobile.

Atlanta could use him as an upgrade at in-line tight end for two-tight end sets and could eventually start him if he develops into an all-around threat. As a blocker, he's already a big improvement, but he needs to show that he's less Ben Hartsock and more Jason Witten.

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All combine and pro day info is courtesy NFL Draft Scout. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.

Follow @ScottCarasik