2014 NFL Combine Recap: OL and TE
Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Bryn Renner on left talks with North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Group 3: Tight Ends
After the offensive line lit it up early on I didn’t expect the tight ends to come out and show them up, but they did. The times were coming out so fast that I had a hard time keeping up. As Bears fans you might not think Chicago would be looking at the tight end position with Martellus Bennett having as good of a year as he did, but don’t rule it out. Remember last year when Phil Emery said they were considering tight ends with their first pick? The current coaching staff said they like to use two: one inline (Bennett), and one “move” guy which they didn’t end up getting. Could be an interesting choice…
Jace Amaro, Texas Tech: Amaro had a solid outing on the day. You’d think his 40 time of 4.62 seconds would’ve put him at or near the top of the list, but he was actually closer to the middle of the pack. He looked fluid in all the drills and caught the ball well. 14 might be too high for him though, and I don’t see him making it to the Bears’ second pick.
Eric Ebron, North Carolina: The consensus top tight end in the draft, Ebron started the day out well with a time of 4.50 in the 40. Unfortunately his day was cut short because he tweaked his hamstring running his second 40. It doesn’t seem to be anything serious.
Colt Lyerla, Oregon: Lyerla may have had the best athletic performance of the day. He blazed a 4.47 in the 40 and then jumped nearly through the roof with a vertical jump of 39″, good for best on the day. He seemed to struggle catching the ball at times, however, and he has a host of off the field concerns he needs to answer.
Other notable times, etc.- Trey burton, Florida: 4.50 40 time. Reggie Jordan, Missouri Western: 4.53 40 time. A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State: 4.43 40 time. Austin Seferian-Jenkins: DNP
What do you guys think? Do any of these players interest you? Do you think the Bears will draft any of them? Do you think they should? Let me know in the comment section.