Zach Pianalto of North Carolina ~ 6.4/250
"Bio: Two-year starter who posted 30/311/1 in six games last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury. Junior totals included 33/334/1 when he suffered a season-ending foot injury midway through the season.
Positive: Hardworking tight end with a complete game that has struggled with injuries. Solid receiver who effectively finds the open seam on the field, makes the reception in stride, and consistently catches the ball away from his frame. Displays both soft and strong hands with the ability to pull the fastball from the air. Blocks with a nasty attitude and is always looking for someone to hit. Adequate strength as a blocker.
Negative: Possesses limited speed and is not a downfield threat. Not a dominant blocker. Has major durability questions.
Analysis: Pianalto has all the skills to be a second tight end at the next level, as he is an short range receiver and does a solid job blocking. The inability to stay healthy is likely to push him deep into the draft,where he could be a bargain."
Positive: Hardworking tight end with a complete game that has struggled with injuries. Solid receiver who effectively finds the open seam on the field, makes the reception in stride, and consistently catches the ball away from his frame. Displays both soft and strong hands with the ability to pull the fastball from the air. Blocks with a nasty attitude and is always looking for someone to hit. Adequate strength as a blocker.
Negative: Possesses limited speed and is not a downfield threat. Not a dominant blocker. Has major durability questions.
Analysis: Pianalto has all the skills to be a second tight end at the next level, as he is an short range receiver and does a solid job blocking. The inability to stay healthy is likely to push him deep into the draft,where he could be a bargain."
"Positives: Average size... Runs good routes... Very solid receiver... Smart and savvy... Good awareness... Security blanket... Can make catches in traffic... Finds holes in zone coverage... Adjusts to the ball well... High points the pass... Good hands... Catches the ball away from his body... Not afraid to go over the middle of the field... Was North Carolina's leading receiver in 2010 prior to injury, which forced him to miss the final seven games... Very solid down-field blocker... Can get to the second level, can seal linebackers from the action... Determined, will make multiple blocks at the second level... Breaks down reasonably well in space... Good position blocker, does a nice job walling off defenders... Mean streak... Hard worker... Could also be considered as an H-Back... Compares to current New Orleans Saints' TE David Thomas.
Negatives: Below average athleticism... Not real fast... Struggles to create separation... Simply an underneath target... Inconsistent concentration... Lacks elusiveness in open field... Not much of an in-line blocker... Doesn't generate much power... Durability concerns, has missed 17 games over the past three seasons with ankle, foot and multiple leg injuries, also sustained a minor concussion during the 2009 season."
Negatives: Below average athleticism... Not real fast... Struggles to create separation... Simply an underneath target... Inconsistent concentration... Lacks elusiveness in open field... Not much of an in-line blocker... Doesn't generate much power... Durability concerns, has missed 17 games over the past three seasons with ankle, foot and multiple leg injuries, also sustained a minor concussion during the 2009 season."
"Overview: Zack is a 2007 graduate of Springdale High School in Springdale, Arkansas where he was ranked as the 7th-best football prospect in Arkansas by Rivals, and the 10th-best prospect in Arkansas by SuperPrep. Zack helped lead Springdale to the 5A state championship as a junior, and had 14 receptions for 337 yards and three touchdowns that year despite mainly being used as a blocker. He caught 12 passes for 141 yards as a senior in just two games, before losing the rest of his senior season to injury.
As a true freshman at UNC in 2007, he started eight games at h-back/tight end and made 24 catches for 204 yards.
In 2008, he played in seven games, but missed the final four games with a fractured leg. He tallied just 7 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown on the season.
In 2009, he notched a career-high 33 receptions for 334 yards and a touchdown on the season. 2010 was likewise injury filled for Zack, and he played in just 6 games, but managed 30 catches for 311 yards and a TD.
Strengths: Nice hands. Pretty good routes, and is able to get open all over the field. Decent hands. Unique agility for a TE. Quick off the blocks. Can get YAC. Can be used in motion, or in the backfield. One of the better move-TEs available this year.
Weaknesses: Hasn't been able to stay healthy. Needs to get stronger, especially in his core area. Mostly just a pass catcher. Struggles to lock on as a blocker. Even when lined up in-line in college, he usually released. Got yanked for a blocking TE when it as time to run out the clock.
Projection: 5-6th rounder."
As a true freshman at UNC in 2007, he started eight games at h-back/tight end and made 24 catches for 204 yards.
In 2008, he played in seven games, but missed the final four games with a fractured leg. He tallied just 7 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown on the season.
In 2009, he notched a career-high 33 receptions for 334 yards and a touchdown on the season. 2010 was likewise injury filled for Zack, and he played in just 6 games, but managed 30 catches for 311 yards and a TD.
Strengths: Nice hands. Pretty good routes, and is able to get open all over the field. Decent hands. Unique agility for a TE. Quick off the blocks. Can get YAC. Can be used in motion, or in the backfield. One of the better move-TEs available this year.
Weaknesses: Hasn't been able to stay healthy. Needs to get stronger, especially in his core area. Mostly just a pass catcher. Struggles to lock on as a blocker. Even when lined up in-line in college, he usually released. Got yanked for a blocking TE when it as time to run out the clock.
Projection: 5-6th rounder."
"Zach Pianalto could have been considered one of the best tight end prospects in the 2011 class had it not been for a rash of injuries that have hampered his collegiate career. Even as a freshman in 2007, Pianalto started eight games and finished fourth on the team with 24 receptions for 204 yards. Those numbers took a hit in 2008. Pianalto only started two games and made a mere seven appearances due to fracturing his fibula. In those seven games, Pianalto only made seven catches for 69 yards and a score.
The 2009 season ended up being Pianalto's most productive. Despite missing five games with a foot injury, the 6-4 tight end set a school record for tight ends with 33 receptions. Those 33 receptions went for 334 yards and one touchdown. However, just as important as having good hands, Pianalto started developing into a fine blocker and developing into a more well rounded tight end. The injury bug struck again during Pianalto's senior season, this time a leg injury. In the eight games he played in, Pianalto was quarterback T.J. Yates safety valve and caught 30 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown.
Pianalto's plethora of injuries will likely keep him out of the draft. He is a versatile tight end who can catch some passes and block, but he is not a superb athlete who is worth the risk when another injury could seemingly strike at any time."
The 2009 season ended up being Pianalto's most productive. Despite missing five games with a foot injury, the 6-4 tight end set a school record for tight ends with 33 receptions. Those 33 receptions went for 334 yards and one touchdown. However, just as important as having good hands, Pianalto started developing into a fine blocker and developing into a more well rounded tight end. The injury bug struck again during Pianalto's senior season, this time a leg injury. In the eight games he played in, Pianalto was quarterback T.J. Yates safety valve and caught 30 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown.
Pianalto's plethora of injuries will likely keep him out of the draft. He is a versatile tight end who can catch some passes and block, but he is not a superb athlete who is worth the risk when another injury could seemingly strike at any time."
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