The War Room | HoustonProFootball.com 
October 12, 2005
In a Tight Spot
by Keith Weiland
HoustonProFootball.com
Note: This is fourth in a series of college prospect profiles in preparation for the 2006 NFL Draft next April. This week, we take a look at the top five prospects at tight end.
The Texans have already tried once before to draft the all-everything tight end for their offense. Too bad Bennie Joppru hasn’t even managed to remain healthy enough to play a down for the Texans, not even in preseason much less a regular season game. He was supposed to bring an element to their attack that is sorely missing, one that can split the cover-2 seam in half and help out in keeping blitzers off the quarterback.
While Joppru remains on the Texans’ roster for a third consecutive injury-marred season, the time is ripe to go looking for another top prospect at the position next April regardless of whether Joppru heals enough to play. Ever since Billy Miller stopped being David Carr’s security blanket, the Texans offense has needed someone to be the safety valve and have the ability to get a few yards after the catch. And, oh yeah, that new tight end better pass protect with the best of them, too.
Such a tall order for a college pick, but this draft class has more than a few intriguing possibilities. At the least, UCLA’s Marcedes Lewis has the necessary receiving skills to master that portion of the job duties. Dominique Byrd can get lost amongst all of the offensive weapons at USC, but he shouldn’t get squeezed too far down in the draft. Erik Gill of Pittsburgh just might have the right mix of receiving and blocking skills to become what the Texans need most. Nebraska’s Matt Herian is a rare deep threat at the position if he proves healthy, and 6’7" junior Leonard Pope might be the best of the bunch if he declares.
A few more tight ends worth watching include:
Vernon Davis, Maryland*
Tim Day, Oregon
Joe Klopfenstein, Colorado
David Thomas, Texas
Cooper Wallace, Auburn
Marcedes Lewis Home
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