After scouting Dustin Keller at Purdue's Pro Day, on Thursday, Jonathan Hayes, the most visible coach, went to Tennessee's Pro Day to check out Tight End, Brad Cottam. Cottam is 6'7" and 269 pounds. The Bengals are going after a Tight End in the NFL Draft. First day? The "first day" doesn't have the same definition like before. Instead of three rounds, the NFL Draft will consist of the first two rounds on Saturday and the rest on Sunday.
Cottam is rated by Scouts, Inc. as the sixth best Tight End coming into the NFL draft. USC's Fred Davis is a consensus #1. Back to Cottam:
Weaknesses: Durability is a major concern. Hasn't been able to stay healthy and lacks ideal game-experience as a result. He's clearly not a flexible athlete. While he's quick and explosive, he is not overly fluid. Not a natural knee bender. Comes out of his stance too high and struggles to keep leverage sometimes as a blocker. He is quick and strong as a runner after the catch but he does not show much elusiveness to make defenders miss in space.
Overall: Cottam redshirted in 2003. He appeared in 24 games over the next two seasons (2004-'05) but recorded just two receptions for 34 yards in that span. He played in all 13 games (six starts) in 2006, turning in 14 receptions for 182 yards (13.0 average). A wrist injury that required surgery cost Cottam the first nine games of his senior season, but he finished 2007 with five receptions for 125 yards (25.0 average) and a touchdown in five games. Cottam is the most intriguing tight end prospect in the 2008 class. He had as many catches (five) in 2007 as he did operations during his collegiate career. However, Cottam proved to be the most consistent tight end during the week of Senior Bowl practice and his combination of size, agility and reliable hands could land Cottam a spot as early as the third round.
Cottam seems like a second day draft pick whereas Dustin Keller appears to be making a second round appearance.