Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew will forgo his senior season and enter the 2009 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound potential first-round pick brings vast experience having played four seasons of college football in the Big 12 Conference. In his last three years at Oklahoma State he amassed 112 catches for 1,450 yards, scoring nine touchdowns. 

Strengths

•  Displays very good hand strength, both in receiving the ball and while blocking on the line of scrimmage
•  Supreme athleticism to make defenders miss and pick up yards after the catch
•  Uses his hands well to release from the line and fight off linebackers
•  Strong and physical at the point of attack
•  Tough with a nasty demeanor
•  Has the complete package in terms of being an all-around tight end

Weaknesses

•  Tends to be slow out of his breaks
•  Commonly rounds off his pass routes
•  Not real quick or explosive, with average speed
•  Minor durability concerns
•  Could improve his ball security
•  Has had some trouble off the field

Expected draft placement

The Buffalo Bills could use a tight end to work the underneath routes and the middle of the field. Pettigrew would be a nice complement to the outside speed of wide receiver Lee Evans. He would also help open more holes as a run blocker for running back Marshawn Lynch. The Bills should give him a long look with the No. 11 overall pick. The Philadelphia Eagles are in need of another offensive weapon for veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb and could look Pettigrew's way if he drops to them at the No. 21 or again at No. 28. Should Pettigrew slide beyond the Bills and Eagles, the Atlanta Falcons at No. 24 would be hard pressed to pass on the talented tight end as another threat for quarterback Matt Ryan.