Is Martin Rucker the best tight end in the 2008 NFL Draft?

Name: Martin Rucker
School: Missouri
Jersey #: 82
Height: 6'5
Weight: 247 Bench Press:
40 time: 4.65
Best Fit Position/Role: Tight End
Ideal Scheme/Role: Receiving tight end  
Teams Interested: New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks    

General Traits
Athletic Ability: A very good overall athlete, Rucker even lined up in the backfield at times for Missouri. Comes from a family of athletes. Good naturally ability and is very fluid in his movements.    
Character/Leadership Ability: His father is a state Representative in Missouri and Martin comes from a high-character family. Is a quiet person, but is a leader on the field with his play and emotions. A fun person to be around.    
Competitive Nature/Work Ethic: Hates to lose, no matter the game. Is very fiery and competitive. Is a hard-working play who has continued to get better in his career. Will do the required work plus more to get better.    
Football Intelligence: Rucker understands the game very well and has a natural feel for situations and what he needs to be doing. Knows every assignment on the offense. Can play multiple positions in Missouri's complicated playbook.    
Size: Rucker has ideal size with good muscle tone and definition. He is tall, with big nands and long arms. Has the height advantage over most defenders.    
Toughness/Durability: Is a tough player that has had to rehab from two separate leg injuries. Can fight through small bumps and bruises. He has been known to show away from contact and doesn't always play aggressive. Can be knocked off his game by a few hard hits early on.
     
Position Specific Traits
Agility: Natural gifted and agile. Rucker plays fast and light on his feet. Can move inside and out of traffic with ease. Is at his best when running and in space. Can make cuts in and out of his routes.    
Blocking: Is not an aggressive in-line blocker. Will take on nickel backs and small defenders. Does not show the desire to be a blocker, but has improved during his senior season in this aspect.    
Body Control: Has top-notch body control. Can make a move in the air or on the ground to get open and find the football. Excellent control in his routes and has the ability to re-route himself to get to the ball in the air.      
Concentration/Hands: Had been known to drop a few easy passes per game until his senior season, when this became a non-factor. May be able to be intimidated by defenders. Will sometimes get timid going hard across the middle.      
Field Vision: Sees the field very well and can find space and soft spots in a zone. Has experience here from the spread offense ran at Missouri. Runs well with the ball and has been used as a runner out of the backfield.    
Release: Is a big target and can be jammed, which is why Missouri often put him in motion and set him off the line in the slot. Is best when he can get a clean release. Needs to add strength.    
Route Running: A natural runner that looks fluid and comfortable running routes. Has strong legs and loose hips. Makes his cuts with ease. Gets in and out of breaks well. Runs like a receiver and plays faster than you expect. Chops his feet instead of rounding cuts, release is consistent and deceptive.    
Speed: Has only decent timed speed, but is a good athlete and plays faster with the ball in his hands. Can run away from linebackers. Has a long, powerful stride.    
     
General Comments: Rucker is one of the top fifteen seniors in the 2008 NFL Draft class. His size, experience and production make him an intriguing prospect. Before his junior season, Rucker was stuck in an offense built around the running of Brad Smith. Since Chase Daniel has been the quarterback, Rucker has flourished and will graduate as the most prolific receiver in the history of the University.      

Injury Concerns: "Broken left fibula- 2003 (HS)
Torn right labrum- 2004"    

Could be as good as: Tony Gonzalez    
Worst Case: Jerramy Stevens    
     
Where he'll probably go: 1st Round    
Were he should go: 1st Round    
     
Completed By: Matt Miller    
Last Updated: 12/13/2007