The tight end has a multifaceted role in most pro offenses. Clubs usually combine a strong in-line blocker with an agile pass catching player to give their offense flexibility in the multiple sets used over the course of a game.

Rarely can clubs combine all the skills necessary in one player to fill the position. Currently, the Chiefs Tony Gonzalez is the premier performer at the position, showing Kellen Winslow-type athletic ability at the position. He is a wide receiver in a tight end's body, creating major problems for defenses in pass coverage.

North Carolina's Alge Crumpler is the top tight end prospect. (Allsport)

The Colts' Ken Dilger might be the best in-line blocker. This is a difficult position to fill because the best tight end prospects are playing strong forward in the NBA.

The prototypical prospect needs to block like an offensive lineman and catch like a wide receiver. Last spring two tight ends went in the first round -- Bubba Franks and Anthony Becht -- a rare occurrence in any draft class.

This year's class features one blue-chip prospect in senior Alge Crumpler, who figures to be selected in the first round. Crumpler lacks the height of the best pass catchers in the NFL, but combines all the other physical skills -- hands, mobility and running skills -- to be a fine addition in the passing game. He is a solid blocker who is ready to play as a rookie.

The level of talent drops off after Crumpler, though Jabari Holloway is a solid prospect who has the upside to surprise early in his pro career. Juniors Todd Heap, Tim Stratton and Tracey Wistrom are all highly rated prospects who could strengthen this class significantly if they declare for the 2001 NFL Draft in early January.

Senior Arthur Love is a fine small college prospect with the skills to be a factor in the passing game. He moves well and shows the ability to run after the catch and make plays. He needs to improve his technique and strength to see time as a blocker in two tight end sets which most NFL clubs use extensively over the course of the game.

More draft analysis

1. Alge Crumpler, North Carolina
Senior, 6-2, 255
Talented senior tight end has the complete package that NFL scouts look for in a prospect. He is a strong mobile player who is fluid in his routes and displays fine hands as a receiver to play early in his NFL career.

Arizona State's Todd Heap is a dangerous receiver. (Allsport)

2. Todd Heap, Arizona State
Junior, 6-5, 235
Athletic junior tight end has been one of the premier receivers in the Pac-10 over the past three seasons. He has natural pass catching skills with the speed to get into the deep seam and become a key factor in the vertical passing game.

3. Jabari Holloway, Notre Dame
Senior, 6-3, 250
Strong senior prospect has shown well-rounded skills over his career with the Irish. He is a consistently sound blocker with the agility and speed to get into his pass routes. He has been under utilized in the passing game.

4. Tim Stratton, Purdue
Junior, 6-4, 250
Sure-handed junior tight end was named the winner of the first John Mackey award as the nation's best tight end this season. He has thrived in the wide-open Purdue passing game and has become a favorite of QB Drew Brees in the short and intermediate zones.

5. Brian Natkin, Texas-El Paso
Senior, 6-3, 245
Mobile senior tight end led the nation in receptions at the position after another outstanding season. He has sure hands and is fluid into his routes with the speed to get deep and the running skills to make things happen after the catch.

6. Billy Baber, Virginia
Senior, 6-4, 245
Physical senior tight end has been a steady performer for the Cavaliers since his freshman season. He is a sound technician as a blocker with the sure hands to be a reliable receiver in the middle.

7. Brandon Manumaleuna, Arizona
Senior, 6-1, 280
Powerful prospect looks more like a guard than a tight end but combines strong in-line blocking with soft hands as a receiver. He will mainly be used in the short zones because of marginal speed and agility which will limit him as a playmaker.

8. Jevaris Johnson, Georgia
Senior, 6-5, 255
Mobile senior tight end has developed nicely sharing time with Randy McMichael in the Bulldogs' offense. He has soft hands with the ability to go up in a crowd and make the tough catch. He is a finesse blocker who can wall off the corner well.

9. Tony Stewart, Penn State
Senior, 6-4, 255
Big mobile senior has been a solid performer in the Penn State offense over the past few seasons. He catches the ball well and shows the agility to seal the corner as a blocker, but must improve his lower body strength to be a steady blocker.

10. Arthur Love, South Carolina State
Senior, 6-4, 240
Talented small college prospect shows fine speed and athleticism for the position. He has the hands and speed to be a key factor in the passing game, but must improve immensely as an in-line blocker to ever see regular duty in the NFL.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 10 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL minicamps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.