Notre Dame Tight End Could Be Perfect Fit In Miami
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – While there is still a lot in flux for the Miami Dolphins as the hours dwindle to the beginning of the 2013 NFL Draft, a new name is starting to emerge as a possible target for the Fins in the first round.
While offensive line has generally been the focus of the speculation surrounding the Dolphins first-round pick, another offensive position that has been in need of being fixed for years could finally be targeted in the first round, tight end.
The consensus top tight end in the upcoming draft is Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame. Eifert has the measurables that coaches want; specifically he's 6'6" tall and weighs 251 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds, has a 35.5 inch vertical, and hoisted 225 pounds 22 times at the NFL Combine.
Regardless of how Dustin Keller plays for the Fins this year, adding a tight end like Eifert could finally give the Fins a lethal combination and be the perfect finish to a complete offensive overhaul this offseason by general manager Jeff Ireland.
Initially, the 12th pick in the draft was considered a little high for Eifert. But his stock has been picking up in recent weeks and on Sunday, NFL.com's Mike Mayock gave out his final top 100 prospect list before the draft and listed Eifert as the 13th best player in the draft.
Mayock's viewed as arguably the best talent prognosticator out there and if Eifert can live up to that type of billing, it would solve Miami's tight end problem for years.
Eifert left Notre Dame with most school receiving records for tight ends with 140 catches and 1,840 receiving yards and is an excellent receiver and route runner. According to NFL.com, he compares favorably to former University of Miami tight end Greg Olsen.
Giving Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill a receiving corps that includes Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson, Davone Bess, Tyler Eifert, Dustin Keller, and Lamar Miller out of the backfield would arguably be the best offense the Dolphins have fielded since Dan Marino was on the field.
It will also increase the pressure on Tannehill to take a major step forward in 2013 as there will be no one to blame for poor play if the Fins continue to make upgrades across the offense.
