USC's Davis and Michigan's Long sit atop draft boards

Former basketball player Martellus Bennett may be the most athletic tight end available. AP

Here are the top offensive linemen and tight ends available in the draft. This list was compiled through conversations with scouts and the study of game film.

Top tight ends

1. Fred Davis, USC, TE: The Trojans' skilled pass catcher is the most polished receiving tight end in the draft. Davis -- who led Trojans in receptions (61), receiving yards (881) and receiving touchdowns (8) -- is a precise route runner with outstanding hands and instincts. His uncanny ability to work into open areas of zone coverage makes him an ideal tight end prospect for a West Coast offense. Although he lacks the speed and athleticism of others in the draft, Davis is clearly the class of the draft due to his readiness to play at the next level. As the top tight end prospect, he will come off the board near the end of round one.

2. Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M, TE: An exceptional talent with outstanding size, athleticism and skills, the Aggies' dual-sport star is a playmaking threat with the size and leaping ability to create mismatches in the red zone. Though he isn't a polished route runner at this time, Bennett possesses the athleticism and movement skills to develop into big-play threat on the next level. Scouts have been encouraged by his improved blocking ability and many expect Bennett to emerge as a top-tier talent at the position in time. Look for a team to make a play for Bennett near the top of the second round.

3. John Carlson, Notre Dame, TE: Carlson is a balanced tight end who displays solid skills as a receiver and blocker. Despite lacking the explosiveness to run past defenders on vertical routes, Carlson is a crafty route runner with dependable hands who understands how to use his size to create space. As a blocker, Carlson flashes the strength to control defenders at the point of attack, and has enough athleticism to make solid blocks on the second level. As one of the few tight end prospects balanced in both areas, Carlson can expect to hear his name called in the mid-to-late portion of the second round.

4. Jermichael Finley, Texas, TE: Finley's a talented playmaker with excellent size, speed and athleticism. Despite having only two seasons of college experience, Finley shows potential as a "receiving" tight end. His hands and receiving skills are impressive, but he could have benefitted from another year in school. Regardless, scouts view him as an intriguing prospect and he is likely to be selected in the top three rounds.

5. Brad Cottam, Tennessee, TE: The Vols' tight end missed most of his senior season with a wrist injury, but wowed scouts with his size (6-foot-7, 271 pounds), athleticism and skills during the Senior Bowl. Despite only having 21 career receptions, scouts think that Cottam possesses the tools to develop into a starting tight end as a pro. Based solely on his athleticism and potential, expect Cottam to come off the board by the end of the third round.

Top offensive tackles

1. Jake Long, Michigan: A polished technician with exceptional size and strength, Long has all of the tools to be a premier tackle on the next level. He not only possesses the might to move defenders off the ball in a power running scheme, but he has enough agility and quickness to be an effective blocker on the move. Long's ability to short set, strike and mirror rushers in pass protection is unmatched by any other tackle prospect in this years' draft. Therefore, look for Long to come off the board within the top five selections.

2. Ryan Clady, Boise State: An athletic tackle prospect with outstanding balance, body control and quickness, Clady has all of the movement skills to be an outstanding pass protector as a pro. Plus, he possesses the length to keep rushers from taking the short corner off the edge. Although Clady needs to play with better leverage against bull rushers, most scouts are of the opinion that he has all of the skills to be a perennial Pro Bowl player at the position. Expect Clady to be selected in the top half of round one.

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