Fourth in a nine-part series.

The following is PFW draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki’s exclusive ranking of the top 10 tight ends in the 2010 NFL draft, with an in-depth scouting report detailing each prospect’s positives, negatives, summary and projected draft spot. These reports have been excerpted from PFW's 2010 Draft Preview, scheduled for a March 30 release.

1. TE Jermaine Gresham
Oklahoma junior
Ht: 6-5 1/4 | Wt: 261 | Sp: 4.68 | Arm: 34 3/4 | Hand: 9 5/8

Notes: Also a standout on the hardwood as a prep - appeared to be on the basketball fast track until high school when a coaching mentor convinced him a football future was brighter. His maternal mother moved to Texas in 1997, but he desired to remain in his Oklahoma hometown with his father. While in middle school, was taken in by a teacher and his counselor wife who sought to remove Gresham from a dangerous neighborhood. Jermaine considers the couple guardians and regards them as his other family. Played receiver until arriving at OU, where he started 2-of-14 games as a true freshman in 2006, making eight catches for 161 yards (20.1-yard average) with a touchdown. Started 3-of-14 games in '07, as OU boasted depth at the position, and caught 37-518-11 (14.0). In '08, started all 14 games and hauled in 66-950-14 (14.4), setting single-season school marks for yards and touchdowns by a tight end. Arrested in April '09 on an outstanding warrant issued after he failed to pay a February seatbelt citation and neglected to appear before authorities to set a court date. Missed the '09 season - underwent surgery on his right knee after a preseason scope revealed torn cartilage. Team captain.

Positives: Very athletic, fluid mover with quick, explosive hands. Possesses the speed to threaten the seam and make plays down the field. Good ball skills - plucks the ball outside his frame and takes it away from defenders in a crowd. Consistently mismatches linebackers and safeties and developed into a go-to guy. Has good positional instincts - gets into his routes quickly, settles into zones and keeps working to uncover. Strong and competitive runner after the catch. Solid in-line blocker - can set the edge, lock out, sustain and seal off defenders. Has a 35-inch vertical jump. Had been very durable at Oklahoma prior to missing last season. Mentally tough. Has an outstanding work ethic.

Negatives: Takes long strides and is not explosive or sudden out of his breaks. Tends to drift at the top of his stems. Shows some lower-body tightness and has difficulty adjusting to the low ball. Not overly elusive after the catch. Is not a dominating in-line blocker and can be outleveraged against better competition. Makes some concentration drops. Could take some time to master the nuances of an NFL playbook.

Summary: May require an adjustment period after missing a season of football and would be best matched with a patient TE coach, but possesses all the physical ability to become a very solid starter in the pros, capable of contributing on every down, and has great upside to develop.

NFL projection: First-round pick. 

2. TE Rob Gronkowski
Arizona junior
Ht: 6-6 1/4 | Wt: 264 | Sp: 4.75e | Arm: 34 1/4 | Hand: 10 3/4

Notes: Father, Gordon, was a three-year offensive guard at Syracuse; brother, Dan, played tight end at Maryland and is with the Detroit Lions; brother, Chris, played fullback for the Wildcats and exhausted his eligibility last fall. Rob was a highly recruited tight end-defensive end who also starred in basketball, averaging 21 points and 18 rebounds as a senior. As a true freshman in 2007, started 9-of-12 games and tallied 28 receptions for 525 yards (18.8-yard average) and six touchdowns. In '08, started 9-of-10 games played and caught 47-672-10 (14.3), despite missing the first three games of the season (strep throat, mononucleosis). After missing most of '09 fall camp and the first three games due to back pain, underwent season-ending surgery to repair a herniated disk and nerve damage.

Positives: Has soft, natural hands with pluck-and-snatch ability and adjusts easily to the ball. Very good size and in-line strength to sustain and control defenders. Very efficient blocking in space - delivers crackback blocks with authority. Runs his feet on contact and flashes some power. Can engage defenders and aggressively works to get positioning and finish blocks. Good versatility - flexes wide, motions and aligns in line. Can beat the jam with strength and get into his routes quickly. Competes for the ball in traffic. Has NFL bloodlines. Has a lot of upside.

Negatives: Has build-up speed and struggles to separate or shake defenders with route savvy. Not a fluid route runner and appears a bit mechanical at the top of his stems. Not a creative runner after the catch. Has a sense of entitlement and thinks he has arrived already. Not a dominating blocker and at times looks disinterested. Injury history must be carefully evaluated given the seriousness of the injury.

Summary: Has never played a full season and durability concerns could hinder his draft status. However, if he proves he can stay healthy and focused, he has the physical tools to develop into a top-tier, all-around tight end.

NFL projection: Top-50 pick. 

3. TE Dennis Pitta
BYU senior
Ht: 6-4 1/2 | Wt: 245 | Sp: 4.69 | Arm: 32 1/4 | Hand: 10

Notes: Married. Father, Dennis Sr., played linebacker at California (1968-69). As a prep, Dennis Jr. played receiver and cornerback in addition to earning three letters in track and basketball. Greyshirted in 2003, joining the program as a 190-pound preferred walk-on in 2004. Saw action in 11 games and caught 17 passes for 176 yards (10.4-yard average) with two touchdowns. Did not play for two seasons while serving a two-year LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. Returned to start 6-of-13 games in '07, pacing Mountain West Conference tight ends with 59-813-5 (13.8). In '08, hauled in 83-1,083-6 (13.1) in 13 games (11 starts). Yielded the start against UNLV to Andrew George and did not start against Arizona in the Las Vegas Bowl after sustaining a sprained right MCL against Air Force. Started all 13 games in '09 and pulled in 62-829-8 (13.4), becoming BYU's all-time receptions leader. Team captain. Will be a 25-year-old rookie.

Positives: Very natural, soft-handed catcher with outstanding ball skills - makes very good adjustments on balls thrown above his head, to the back shoulder or poorly placed. Accelerates and maintains speed through the catch and is very quick to get upfield - does not gather to catch. Secures the ball in traffic. Outstanding career production. Consistently uncovers with route savvy. Works hard at his craft and carries himself like a pro. Willing, competitive blocker. Stood out blocking in goal-line scrimmages at the East-West Shrine Game practices and caught everything in sight, even when defenders were grossly interfering with him. Worked out very well at the Combine, registering TE-bests of 4.17 seconds in the short shuttle and 6.72 in the three-cone drill. Also bench-pressed 225 pounds 27 times.

Negatives: Not an explosive athlete with elite speed to make plays downfield or string moves together after the catch. Is not elusive with the ball in his hands. Does not consistently finish blocks. Has not regularly faced top competition in the Mountain West. Overaged.

Summary: A good functional football player who performed very well in every phase at the Combine and only confirmed what shows up on tape, as he caught everything thrown his way, adjusted to the ball very well in drills and made it look easy. Is not the most athletically gifted talent in this year's TE class, but could potentially turn out to be the most solid pro with few notable shortcomings.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

4. TE/H-Back Aaron Hernandez
Florida junior
Ht: 6-2 3/8 | Wt: 245 | Sp: 4.6e | Arm: 32 1/4 | Hand: 9 3/4

Notes: Late father, Dennis, lettered as a defensive back at Connecticut in 1976, and brother, D.J. (quarterback/receiver), was a team captain for the Huskies (2004-07). Nicknamed "Chico" by teammates because of his Puerto Rican ethnicity. Lost his father suddenly in January '06 after complications from a hernia surgery. Aaron also lettered in basketball as a prep. Was a Parade All-American and Connecticut's Gatorade Player of the Year after racking up 67 receptions for 1,807 yards (27.0-yard average) and 24 touchdowns while amassing 12 sacks as a defensive end. Established a national record for receiving yards per game (180.7). As a true freshman in 2007, played in all 13 games, including three starts, and totaled 9-151-2 (16.8). Was thrust into an increased role in '08 following the season-ending injury to Cornelius Ingram in August. Started 11-of-13 games and caught 34-381-5 (11.2). Did not play in the season opener, as head coach Urban Meyer (a father figure to Hernandez) told the media only that the tight end was "not ready to play." Won the Mackey Award in '09 after starting 13-of-14 games (gave way to four receivers against Florida International) and leading the country in catches by a TE, pacing Gators receivers with 68-850-5 (12.5). Dealt with the flu leading up to the Kentucky contest.

Positives: Very good athlete. Has outstanding hands and can make the difficult, acrobatic, one-handed grab. Catches the ball without breaking stride. Competes for the ball in a crowd. Can take a hit and maintain his balance. Sets up defenders with stems and nods and shows some savvy as a route runner. Has a knack for finding holes in coverage. Outstanding open-field run vision to create additional yardage after the catch. Very good production. Has been very durable.

Negatives: Is seldom used as an in-line blocker in an offense that does not feature a true tight end. Lacks bulk and functional strength. Does not play physical and brings little value as a blocker. Has not run a full route tree. Struggles to sink his hips and separate against tight man coverage. Not strong or powerful after the catch. Has some concentration lapses and will double-catch balls. Character will require closer scrutiny.

Summary: Emerged as Tim Tebow's go-to receiver as a junior and could be very effective in a situational type of role in the pros where he could line up in the slot and create on the move but does not bring much value as a blocker and must prove that he can stay focused. Ideally suited for a finesse, H-back role.

NFL projection: Second-round pick.

5. TE Ed Dickson
Oregon senior
Ht: 6-4 1/4 | Wt: 249 | Sp: 4.64 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 9 3/4

Notes: Prep tight end-linebacker who also played basketball. Redshirted in 2005. Moved to defensive end during '06 fall camp due to injuries at the position. Saw action in all 13 games, playing DE, TE, WR and special teams. Made 10 tackles (seven on special teams) and caught four balls for 45 yards (11.3-yard average) and zero touchdowns. Returned to offense for the Ducks' last four games. Started all 13 games at tight end in '07, setting a school single-season receptions record for the position by snagging 43-453-3 (10.5). In '08, started all 13 games and tallied 35-508-3 (14.5) with three rushes for 18 yards (6.0). Started all 13 games for the third year in a row in '09, catching 42-551-6 (13.1).

Positives: Is very quick into his routes. Plucks the ball easily out of the air. Adjusts easily to the ball and has a wide-ranging catching radius. Has reliable hands. Very good lateral agility to sift through open windows and turn upfield quickly after the catch. Makes some difficult, acrobatic grabs look easy. Very fluid movement skills. Has flashed some playmaking ability. Effective blocking on the move. Improved work ethic. Has been very durable and not missed any time to injury throughout his career. Competitively jumped to his feet and finished the gauntlet drill at the Combine after tripping.

Negatives: Lacks bulk and is underpowered against the jam. Limited in-line blocking power and experience. Will require some time to adapt to an NFL playbook and to learn how to read NFL coverages.

Summary: Is best split wide working against air and could become a pass-catching weapon detached from the line if he can assimilate to a pro-style offense. The ability to grasp a more complex, demanding playbook will define his career.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

6. H-Back Dorin Dickerson
Pittsburgh senior
Ht: 6-1 3/8 | Wt: 226 | Sp: 4.47 | Arm: 34 | Hand: 9 3/4

Notes: Father, Randy, played college basketball at Kansas State and Lock Haven. Dorin also played basketball and competed in track as a prep. Partially tore the ACL and fractured the ankle on his right leg in June before reporting to college, then sprained his left ankle three days into fall camp. Began his career as a receiver/kickoff returner in 2006, catching one pass for five yards (5.0-yard average) without a touchdown, rushing three times for 25 yards (8.3) and a score and posting four kickoff returns for 24 yards (6.0) in eight games. Bulked up and backed up at strong-side linebacker in '07, appearing in all 12 games and tallying 15 tackles, one-half for loss and zero sacks with a pass breakup while returning kickoffs 4-56 (14.0). At tight end in '08, played in 13 games (started against Iowa and Syracuse) and caught 13-174-2 (13.4) with 2-25-0 (12.5) on the ground. Broke out in '09, starting 9-of-13 games played and hauling in 49-529-10 (10.8).
Positives: Has a very athletic build with defined muscle, long arms and a frame to bulk up. Outstanding straight-line speed. Tracks the ball over his shoulder and adjusts well to the ball. Catches the ball in stride and has strong hands. Shows vision, run instincts and some tackle-breaking ability with the ball in his hands. Outstanding leaping ability - had a Combine-best 431⁄2-inch vertical jump. Versatile - aligned flexed wide in the slot, in the wing, in line and motioned. Good work habits.

Negatives: Not a savvy route runner - does not get in and out of breaks cleanly. Not crafty and struggles to separate from safeties in man coverage (see Cincinnati). A bit straight-linish with average hip flexibility. Not a fiery competitor. Disinterested blocker - lacks functional strength and girth to be an effective in-line blocker. Does not adjust well to the low ball. Not elusive with the ball in his hands. Struggled to shake man coverage at the Senior Bowl when he attended as a receiver.

Summary: Found a home at H-back as a senior after being shuttled between positions his first three years and has shown big-time flashes of potential. Possesses the vertical speed to stretch the seam and athletic ability to mismatch linebackers on crossing routes. Exceptional Combine performance and rare top-end speed will enhance value but is still raw as a route runner and will need to be used on simple routes where he does not have to make sharp cuts to be most effective. Has ability to factor situationally immediately.   

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

7. TE Anthony McCoy
USC senior
Ht: 6-4 1/2 | Wt: 259 | Sp: 4.77 | Arm: 34 | Hand: 10 3/8

Notes: Also played basketball as a prep, in addition to playing receiver, tight end, and defensive line on the football field. Had his left shoulder operated on in January 2006. At USC in the fall, saw limited action in four games. A pulled hamstring midway through the season sidelined him until the bowl game. Missed most of ensuing spring practice with a sprained ankle before appearing in all 13 games in '07 and recording two receptions for 18 yards (9.0-yard average) with a touchdown. Stepped into the lineup in '08 and started all 13 games, pulling in 22-256-1 (11.6). Missed time during '09 spring practice due to academics and a pulled hamstring, but started 9-of-10 games played in the fall and pulled in 22-457-1 (20.8). Sprained his right ankle against Oregon State and did not play against Oregon and Arizona State (did not start in first game back against Stanford). Also was academically ineligible for the Emerald Bowl against Boston College.

Positives: Quick-twitch athlete with very good leaping ability. Shows a sudden burst off the line, and the acceleration to separate vs. man coverage. Makes some difficult, acrobatic grabs - can jump and snare the high throw and adjust to the underthrown ball. Has a wide catching radius. Shows the run strength to break tackles after the catch and the agility to make sharp cuts in the open field. Possesses the upper-body strength to lock out and control linebackers. A consistent blocker.
Negatives: Hands tends to go wide of the target and too easily is disengaged. Long strider - can struggle breaking down and sinking his hips in his routes. Will also get knocked off balance when pressed on underneath routes. Very marginal production, especially in the red zone. Lacks concentration and focus. Did not look natural catching the ball at the Combine, letting the ball into his body, double-clutching, bobbling and weaving off the line in the gauntlet drill.

Summary: Has all the physical tools to develop into an NFL starter, but his production and output never matched his talent in college, and he still must prove that he can avoid the underachiever label.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

8. TE Tony Moeaki
Iowa senior
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 245 | Sp: 4.71 | Arm: 33 1/4 | Hand: 10 1/8

Notes: Last name is pronounced "MO-ee-AH-kee." Parents were born in Tonga, but Tony grew up in suburban Chicago. Also lettered in basketball and tennis as a prep. Appeared in all 12 games in 2005, catching eight passes for 112 yards (14.0-yard average) and no touchdowns. In '06, was the second TE behind Chargers 2007 fourth-rounder Scott Chandler. Snagged 11-140-3 (12.7) in 13 games played and was the starter heading into '07. Sprained his shoulder in the spring before producing 14-170-3 (12.1) in four games (all starts) in '07, but suffered a broken wrist and dislocated elbow on his left arm against Wisconsin. Underwent a pair of surgeries (was granted a medical hardship) and sat out '08 spring practice. Returned for fall camp, but broke his left foot and underwent another surgery. Missed the first two games, but managed to play nine (one start) in '08. Hauled in 13-144-1 (11.1), but came back too fast from injury, which led to calf and hamstring problems that kept him out of two more games. Also sustained concussions against Iowa State and Illinois. A second foot surgery was needed in the spring of '09. Started all 10 games in which he played in '09, catching 30-387-4 (12.9). Sustained a high ankle sprain in the season opener against Northern Iowa that sidelined him for three games. Team captain.

Positives: Good athletic ability and body control. Enough speed to get down the field and threaten the seam. Has natural receiving skills. Soft hands. Can catch outside his frame. Concentrates in traffic and shows nice hand-eye coordination. Tracks the ball well in the air and adjusts easily. Reliable short-to-intermediate receiver. Played in a pro-style offense and rarely came off the field.

Negatives: Lacks girth. Not a polished route runner - is too easily knocked off course and lacks burst to separate out of breaks. Many receptions are contested. Not overly elusive after the catch. Not a physical blocker. Is injury-prone and durability is a major concern - missed 15 games his last three years while dealing with wrist, elbow, foot, ankle, calf, hamstring and head injuries. Marginal career production.

Summary: Really came on as a senior and graded out like a second-round talent when he was healthy, flashing big-time receiving skills and the ability to function as a blocker. However, the inability to stay healthy for a full season is very concerning, and his injury history could push down his draft value. Would be best suited in a situational/backup-type role where he could take limited reps and preserve his body.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick. 

9. H-Back/FB Clay Harbor
Missouri State
Ht: 6-2 5/8 |  Wt: 252 | Sp: 4.69 | Arm: 32 5/8 | Hand: 9 1/2

Notes: Brother, Cory, was a defensive lineman for MSU (2005-08). Clay also lettered four times each inbasketball and track as a prep. Redshirted in 2005. Played in 10 games in '06, starting two, and made six receptions for 73 yards (12.2-yard average) and a touchdown. Started all 11 games in '07, catching 45-647-3 (14.4). Started all 11 games in '08 and snagged 40-457-2 (11.4) despite spraining his right ankle against Western Illinois. Started all 11 games for the third consecutive season in '09, when he hauled in 59-729-4 (12.4), becoming the school's career receptions leader (150). Team captain.

Positives: Well built with good musculature. Very light on his feet and has the speed to threaten the seam. Consistent mismatch for linebackers. Catches the ball cleanly when he is uncontested. Excellent football intelligence - quick study. Has a 40-inch vertical jump. Bench-pressed a TE-best 30 reps of 225 pounds at the Combine, and interviewed very well. Has competed on every special team.

Negatives: Has faced marginal competition. Raw in-line blocker - comes off the ball too upright, does not drive into defenders and is still figuring out how to translate his strength to the field. Not overly tough or physical. Average elusiveness and creativity after the catch. Has some concentration drops and will break stride to secure the ball.

Summary: A very athletic converted receiver who made a small mint at the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game and at the Combine when he showed he could stack up with better competition, outperforming most tight ends in workouts. Still must prove that he can adapt to the pro level, but clearly has the athletic ability and upside to develop as an H-back.

NFL projection: Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

10. TE Jimmy Graham
Miami (Fla.) senior
Ht: 6-6 1/4 | Wt: 260 | Sp: 4.53 | Arm: 35 | Hand: 10 5/8

Notes: Was abandoned by his birth mother before being adopted at age 15. Played basketball, tennis and baseball as a prep (only played football as a freshman). Was recruited as a basketball player and played four years, finishing his career ranked eighth in Miami history with 104 blocked shots. After exhausting basketball eligibility, was recruited to join the football team in the spring of 2009 and played 13 games (one start), catching 17 passes for 213 yards (12.5-yard average) and five touchdowns.

Positives: Has a very athletic frame with extremely long arms and big, strong hands. Tremendous size potential - has a frame to bulk up. Can stretch the field vertically and threaten the seam. Presents matchup problems in the red zone with terrific leaping ability. High-points the football. Plays with passion. Showed signs of improvement throughout the season and caught the ball very naturally in the gauntlet drill at the Combine, making it look easy. Has a 38½-inch vertical jump.

Negatives: Very raw and undisciplined in his route running - drifts into zone coverage and has not yet learned how to diagnose coverages. Not quick into his routes and struggles slipping defenders against press coverage. Does not show a second gear to separate vertically. Does not use his hands or lock out his arms consistently as a blocker. Lacks power in his punch. Has only one year of football experience.

Summary: A converted standout power forward on the Hurricanes' hoops squad who is still very raw and learning how to play the game, Graham showed gradual improvement in his first year on the gridiron and there is no denying his upside. Solid Senior Bowl performance and exceptional Combine workout could enhance his draft stock. Still might require several years before he figures it out and adapts to the speed of the game, but has a very high ceiling and really could blossom with good coaching. 

NFL projection: Mid-round pick.

Friday: Top 10 OL prospects

To read all of Nolan Nawrocki's scouting reports on 395 players, as well as player rankings, team needs and much more, you can now pre-order your copy of the 2010 Draft Preview online at PFWstore.com, or you can purchase your copy of the book at newsstands and bookstores across the country when it goes on sale March 30.

For the most authoritative NFL draft news and free-agency analysis, visit ProFootballWeekly.com.