Olsen, Miller top preseason TE rankingsBy Todd McShayScouts Inc.Miami's Greg Olsen has flashed signs of greatness. Arizona State's Zach Miller is poised for a stellar 2006 campaign, and BYU's Jonny Harline is one of college football's best-kept secrets. Here are the preseason rankings for the nation's top returning tight ends. 1. Greg Olsen, Miami, JR, 6-foot-4, 253 poundsHyped to be the next great tight end from "The U" (see: Kellen Winslow Jr., Jeremy Shockey and Bubba Franks), Olsen has failed to meet expectations thus far. Still, he flashed greatness during his 31-catch sophomore season, and his physical tools are undeniable. Olsen has the size, athletic ability and hands to emerge as college football's most complete tight end in 2006, especially now that a rapport has been established between him and quarterback Kyle Wright. 2. Zach Miller, Arizona State, JR, 6-5, 256After battling through an injury-riddled 2005 season, Miller exited spring ball healthy and is primed for a monster campaign as a junior. He has already notched 1,028 yards and 10 touchdowns on 94 catches in just two collegiate seasons. No matter who's barking signals for the Sun Devils (Sam Keller or Rudy Carpenter), head coach Dirk Koetter knows his best offensive weapon this fall will be Miller. 3. Clark Harris, Rutgers, SR, 6-5, 257RB Brian Leonard gets most of the national publicity for the up-and-coming Rutgers football program, but Harris also deserves credit for his production. Over the course of the last two seasons, the gritty tight end has accounted for 1,309 yards and nine touchdowns on 91 receptions. On top of his reliable hands in the passing game, Harris is also a difference maker as a blocker. If the Scarlet Knights are to go bowling for a second straight season, Harris must continue his leadership role. 4. Jonny Harline, BYU, SR, 6-3, 245A former JUCO transfer, Harline is one of college football's best-kept secrets at the tight end position. After playing sparingly in his first season at BYU, Harline broke out with 63 receptions as a junior in 2005. Tall and lanky, Harline isn't much of a blocker but his wingspan, athleticism and reliable hands are what make him so effective in the Cougars' spread offense. When studying last year's game film, it did not take long to see how much QB John Beck has come to rely on Harline in the passing attack. 5. Matt Spaeth, Minnesota, SR, 6-5, 266Spaeth was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten performer last season, when he notched 26 receptions for 333 yards and four scores. While he will never be a seam-stretching weapon in the passing game, Spaeth is an effective blocker and reliable short-to-intermediate receiver, which makes him a perfect fit in the Golden Gophers' zone-run, play-action heavy offensive scheme. 6. Scott Chandler, Iowa, SR, 6-6, 255A former wide receiver, Chandler made the move to tight end for the Hawkeyes in 2004 and has accounted for 876 yards and four touchdowns on 71 receptions the past two seasons. With more experience, he continues to improve his blocking skills, and has quickly emerged as one of the premier pass-catching threats at tight end in the Big Ten. Expect Chandler to play an even greater role in an Iowa offense that promises tremendous balance with QB Drew Tate and RB Albert Young returning this fall. 7. Joe Newton, Oregon State, SR, 6-5, 260Newton was one of the nation's most promising young tight ends prior to his season-ending left leg injury in 2005. The good news, however, is that he was back in form during spring practice, displaying reliable hands and impressive quickness for such a big-framed tight end. After understandably struggling through some growing pains a season ago, the return of Newton along with the emergence of QB Matt Moore and RB Yvenson Bernard gives the Beavers much hope for the 2006 season. 8. Chase Coffman, Missouri, SO, 6-6, 230Technically a backup, Coffman is in the process of developing into a bigger weapon than starter Martin Rucker. As Coffman continues to improve his size, strength and route-running savvy, he should overtake Rucker as the No. 1 tight end this fall. Regardless, Missouri has one of the best one-two punches at the position. The two combined for 94 catches and 1,070 yards with five touchdowns last season. 9. Shawn Nelson, Southern Miss, SO, 6-5, 225Nelson is an up-and-coming star from the so-called mid-major ranks. After leading Southern Miss in receptions (35) as a freshman last season, expect Nelson to play an even bigger role in its offensive scheme in 2006. With his size, the angular H-back type should only advance with more time in the weight room and more experience on the practice field. 10. Matt Herian, Nebraska, SR, 6-4, 246Herian has not played in a game since suffering a devastating leg injury in October 2004, and he was limited during spring ball. Still, the senior was too valuable of a pass-catching weapon in previous seasons to write him off completely at this point. With QB Zac Taylor coming into his own in Nebraska's evolving West Coast offense, a healthy Herian could put up big numbers in 2006.The next best 15:11. Martin Rucker, Missouri, junior12. Tyler Ecker, Michigan, senior13. Martrez Milner, Georgia, senior14. Daniel Coats, BYU, senior15. Jamaal Lewis, Arizona State, senior16. Ben Patrick, Delaware, senior17. Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M, sophomore18. Dante Rosario, Oregon, senior19. Samuel Smith, Florida International, senior20. Derek Schouman, Boise State, senior21. Brad Wood, Arizona, senior22. Marcel Frost, Ohio State, junior23. Dan Murray, Connecticut, senior24. Jason Goode, Maryland, junior25. Matt Traverso, Stanford, senior
Nobody stands out like Vernon Davis, Marcedes Lewis, Leonard Pope and even David Thomas did in last years draft.
Well, seeing as Greg Olsen is a top 15 pick, which would put his draft position higher than the 4 you listed except for VD, there is somebody that stands out lol. I also see Zach Miller being drafted high than Pope, and Newton and Speath and maybe Clark Harris higher than David Thomas.
