So if you need a tight end and you’re an NFL team- do you go Tyler Eifert from Notre Dame? Maybe I can answer your question; with some help.
A couple days ago I was on conference call with Mike Mayock of NFL Network. Mayock is a former defensive back and the NFL Network’s draft guru. On paper, this conference call sounded like awesomesauce for a mock draft NERD like myself.
Sadly, it was anything but. (Though no fault of Mayock) With over 100 other media on that call, I was not able to get any Bears or local college football questions in. After listening for over 90 minutes (I finally gave up, even though the call was still going, I mean I do have a life. I know it often looks online like I have no real life, but I do actually leave the house from time to time) no real topics of local interest were covered; except one.
Tyler Eifert of ND.
So is he the best tight end available?
Tyler Eifert may as well be Greg Olsen 2.0. He’s a very tall, very lean tight end who relies on his speed and pass catching abilities. For a while, he even had the long hair to match. Eifert will go before Zach Ertz in the 2013 NFL draft. Mayock ranks him as the 13th ranked overall prospect in the draft. Ertz checks in at #46. Gavin Escobar from San Diego State is #76. Travis Kelce from the Cincinnati Bearcats is #80. Vance McDonald from Rice is #96.
“I feel like Tyler Eifert has clearly differentiated himself from the pack. Eifert, Ertz and Escobar are very similar in body type, about 6-6, 250 plus or minus. All three of them have excellent ball skills, so on paper they’re very similar,” Mayock said.
“I think Eifert is a little faster than Ertz and Escobar didn’t run as well.” he added.
“On the pass-catching side, it’s Eifert, Ertz and Escobar. And Eifert is the best blocker, so with his speed I think the interest starts with him at #13 with Tampa Bay and he doesn’t get out of the first round. I think Ertz goes in the second and Escobar, Kelce and McDonald fit in the third.” Mayock summarized.
For more on Eifert go here
To see where we have Eifert slotted in our 2013 NFL mock draft go here
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on Comcast SportsNet and the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks)