2009 Tight End Impact Rookies

The theme in the NFL regarding tight ends has been moving to the more athletic, pass-catching and away from the large, blocking ends. Many tight ends like Gates, Witten, and Gonzales have showed that ends are more than just blockers, and checkdown targets for quaterbacks. These guys have shown that they can be their team's number one recieving threat and still be considered a big time offense. Unfortunately in this year's class there was not one player that experts believed could create an immiediate impact for their team. You might think that I am skipping right over Brandon Pettigrew when I make a remark like this but Pettigrew's impact, at least in his rookie season, will be as a run blocker. The 2009 draft class was filled with the new wave of athletic ends that can stretch the field and create mismatches for opposing defenses. So here are my top five impact rookies for the 2009 season, plus two sleepers to look out for.
1)Brandon Pettigrew - Detroit Lions - Oklahoma State
2)Cornelius Ingram - Philadelphia Eagles - Florida
3)Travis Beckum - New York Giants - Wisconson
4)Shawn Nelson - Buffalo Bills - Southren Miss
5)Chase Coffman - Cincinnati Bengals - Missouri
Sleeper 1)Richard Quinn - Denver Broncos - North Carolina
Sleeper 2)Jared Cook - Tennesse Titans - South Carolina
If you read the introduction into this post one might think that did not like Pettigrew to have a good rookie season, but that is not true. I factor blocking just as much as I do catching in my rankings. Pettigrew in his rookie season will probably assume the role as the third or fourth option behind Calvin Johnson, Bryant Johnson, and Kevin Jones which will limit his catches. Though if Matt Stafford gets the starting quaterback position, I expect Pettigrew's offensive numbers will spike, because Stafford would most likely utilize Pettigrew as his second read if the first read is not there. Pettigrew should thrive in redzone situations, using his size at 6'4 and 263lbs. Issues that could hold him back are injuries and off the field issues(was arrested for felony assualt and battery).
For those readers that have read the entire series on rookies must be thinking I am a Eagles fan because I also have McCoy and Maclin in the top five of their positions as well. Sorry to till you this but I am not an Eagles fan they just drafted that well this years. Ingram will fill the void of perpetual disappointment L.J. Smith. Ingram's draft stock drastically fell after tearing his ACL last August, but had a good combine and left scouts buzzing. Redzone touchdowns is what pushed him up to this spot on my list. Last year the Eagles redzone offense struggled at the best of times. I do not expect Ingram to put up large numbers in the recieving yards catagory because of the trio of Curtis, Jackson, and Maclin will be the main targets with Ingram being targeted mostly in third down situations. Outside of the potential of not fully recovering from his knee surgury, Ingram is part of a group of ends(Matt Schobel and Brent Celek), none of them really seperate themselves from the pack.
Beckum as my number three end might sound high to a couple of the readers, but we must remember that Beckum was considered a first round lock until he fractured his tibula in a game against Illnios. New York got a steal in the third arguably the best value in the round. Beckum has a chance to become the second string tight end by the end of training camp, then maybe eventually maybe even become the starter over Kevin Boss. Scouts often compare Beckum's style of play to Dustin Keller of the Jets, someone who is not a true tight end but creates match-up difficulties for opposinf defenses. No glaring weakness in his game, but Beckum does have alot of things he needs to work on like catching with his hands, cleaning up his routes, and getting stronger.
The Buffalo Bills have lacked a legitimate tight end threat for along time, so this provides a window for Shawn Nelson to put up solid numbers in his rookie campaign. Watching him at the combine Nelson stood out athletically, backing up the numbers he had at Southren Miss. Nelson reminds me of a Tony Scheffler type player. He will not be in on running downs but, like many of the other tight ends on this list create match-up problems for defenses. Next to Pettigrew, Nelson has the most potential in this draft to become a pereninal pro-bowler. He needs to work on becoming a true tight end to reach that potential, it is hard to be a pro-bowler when you are only on the field during passing downs. Potential downside of Nelson is that some scouts think Nelson has already maxed out his talent and will not develope into anything more than a situational offensive player and a special team player. Gainning muscle and developping into a better blocker should be number one on Nelson's "to do list".
Chase Coffman is the most decorated out of all the tight ends in the year's draft. Coffman has the size (6'6" and 263lbs) of a classic tight end with the hands of a modern end. As well as all the physical attributes, he has the genes as well, his father Paul Coffman played in the NFL for ten seasons. Last off-season the Bengals brought in tight end and H-back Ben Utech from the Colts. Utech's season was injury plagued and an overall disappointment prompting the Bengals to draft Coffman. In a couple of years the Bengals could have the best tight end tandem in the league. Holding Coffman from reaching his full potential is he never played in a pro style offensive, he lacks the straightline speed, and we have not seen alot of Coffman as a blocker.
Quinn is a sort of sleeper, (he was a second round pick) I chose him because he is going to suprise people with his catching ability. Jared Cook is my second sleeper, because he could be the Titans' third best recieving option on a team that will have open paassing lanes due to their outstanding run game.