Atlanta Falcons 2015 Seven-Round Mock Draft
Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad tight end Nick Boyle of Delaware (86) hangs onto a pass over North squad safety Kurtis Drummond of Michigan State (27) and defensive corner Doran Grant of Ohio State (12) during North squad Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Falcons will be wanting to get more production out of their tight ends in 2015. According to FF Today, the Falcons ranked dead last in receiving yards for their tight ends in 2014 with just 241 yards.
In contrast, New England’s Rob Gronkowski totalled 1,124 receiving yards on his own last term. Maybe it is a little unfair to draw comparisons with Gronk.
Even so, they will be wanting an upgrade at the position. They were unable to find a talented tight end to fill the void left by Tony Gonzalez’s departure a year ago.
In the sixth-round, they may be able to find a ‘sleeper’ in Delaware’s Nick Boyle. At least, Adam Hoge of WGN Radio believes he could drop:
One of my biggest sleepers in this year’s draft is Delaware TE Nick Boyle. Great blocker, solid pass catcher & pretty athletic.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) February 18, 2015
Boyle has the physical tools to block well in the NFL. The 6’4″, 268-pounder needs some work in this area however. As a pass-catcher, he has the athleticism to succeed. From 2013-14 with Delaware, Boyle caught 79 passes for 778 yards and 11 touchdowns, according to his University of Delaware bio. That averages at 9.85 yards per reception.
On tweet about @seniorbowl is that I want Delaware TE Nick Boyle on my team. Highly competitive and plays w/ an edge. @Anthony_Becht
— Kevin Weidl (@Kevin_Weidl) January 25, 2015
If Boyle falls to the sixth-round, the Falcons would be wise to pick him up. He has a solid frame and good physical tools that can help him develop into a starting-calibre tight end.
Next: More offense?