The five-best tight ends invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Penn State tight end Jesse James (18) gets into the end zone for a touchdown before Akron linebacker Dylan Evans (54) can bring him down during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Monday, Sept. 9, 2014. James had two touchdowns in the 21-3 Penn State win. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Notre Dame tight end Ben Koyack (18) celebrates his touchdown during the first half an NCAA college football game against Navy on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Florida State tight end Nick O'Leary, left, catches a 6-yard touchdown pass in front of Florida defensive back Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Miami head coach Al Golden, right, talks with tight end Clive Walford (46) after Walford scored a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Florida State, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams (88) warms up before the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Missouri in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
RELATED LINKS
> Poll: Who to draft at #1?
> Farewell from Amber
> NFC South links
> Week in review, Feb. 7
> Reasons to be excited: #1
> Mock draft, 1.0
> Reasons to be excited: #2
> Mankins among top walk-ons
> Bucs give back to community
> Free agency ups and downs
PLAYERS INVITED:20MORE: WIDE RECEIVERS, DEFENSIVE BACKS, OFFENSIVE LINEMEN, QUARTERBACKS, RUNNING BACKS LEADING THE PACK:Minnesota's Maxx Williams is the only tight end invited to the NFL Scouting Combine that may warrant a first-round selection. He only played two seasons at Minnesota, but was the Gophers' most productive receiver in both. In 2014, as a redshirt sophomore, he led the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, he held the team lead in receiving yards and was tied for the most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Analysts believe Miami tight end Clive Walford, considered the second-best tight end in this year's draft class, could run a sub-4.7 40-yard dash at the combine. If he does, his stock will be on the rise. **
TOP 5 TIGHT ENDS (Projected round)**
- Maxx Williams, Minnesota (1)
- Clive Walford, Miami (2)
- Nick O'Leary, Florida State (3)
- Ben Koyack, Notre Dame (3)
- Jesse James, Penn State (3)**
TIGHT ENDS**
Busta Anderson, South Carolina
Blake Bell, Oklahoma
EJ Bibbs, Iowa State
Nick Boyle, Delaware
Gerald Christian, Louisville
Cameron Clear, Texas A&M
AJ Derby, Arkansas
Jeff Huerman, Ohio State
Jesse James, Penn State
Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
Tyler Kroft, Rutgers
Nick O'Leary, Florida State
Mycole Pruitt, Southern Illinois
Wes Saxton, South Alabama
Jean Sifrin, Massachusetts
Randall Telfer, USC
Eric Tomlinson, UTEP
Clive Walford, Miami
Maxx Williams, Minnesota
