We’ve already looked at how Chip Kelly utitlized tight ends during his final two seasons at Oregon. Each of the Ducks last two starting tight ends were productive and important players in a system that is better known for its use of the zone-read and its speed.

But as we try to predict how Kelly will use the tight end as he adjusts to the pro game, it makes more sense to focus on 2011 seventh-round draft pick David Paulson because he more closely resembles Eagles tight end Brent Celek than does current Oregon starter Colt Lyerla.

During his senior season in 2011, Paulson hauled in 31 receptions for 438 yards and six touchdowns. His 14.1 ypc were a big part of what Oregon did offensively, but as you’ll see in the video below, Paulson was primarily utilized in short and intermediate routes to the flat. Paulson, who wasn’t exactly a speedster (ran a 4.93 40-yard-dash at the 2011 combine), did possess enough quickness, like Celek (who ran a 4.78 prior to his draft), to stretch the field down the seam, but was by no means a gamebreaker. The Oregon product had more touchdowns as a senior (6) than he did catches of 20 or more yards (4).

Still, Kelly often created space for his tight end on the intermediate routes through the use of deception and clear outs. Rarely was the tight end asked to make catches in tight windows–something Celek does fairly well. It’ll be interesting to see if Kelly can create space for Celek, or if he’s willing to go to the tight end in tighter spots.

Paulson was an adequate blocker at the college level, but by no means elite. The same can be said for Celek at the pro level. What we can gather from this is that Kelly will look to optimize Celek’s skills and he has proven that he can effectively incorporate different types of tight ends into his offense at the college level. Like several of the other questions surrounding Kelly, his success will likely hinge upon how well he can adapt these principles at the next level.

Have a look at this compilation of plays where Paulson stands out.

When you think of Chip Kelly’s offense a few things may come to mind. Maybe it’s the read-option, maybe it’s speed, or maybe it’s just points. But while most people think Kelly’s attack is all about dynamic receivers on the outside and playmakers in the backfield, the tight end position also plays an integral role in Kelly’s offensive philosophy.

So when Chip Kelly was hired, the projections soared for players like DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, and even Damaris Johnson, but his hire in Philadelphia could also bode well for Brent Celek. And perhaps another tight end not yet on the roster.

Let’s take a look at Kelly’s last two seasons in Oregon and how he utilized the position.

In 2011, David Paulson saw the majority of the action at tight end for the Ducks. Paulson is by no means a speedster, but was effective in the Oregon scheme. He hauled in 31 receptions for 438 yards and six touchdowns. He parlayed that performance into a seventh round selection by Pittsburgh where he made the team but played sparingly as a rookie.

The more interesting case study is tight end Colt Lyerla. Lyerla is a dynamic athlete and possesses a different skill set than that of Eagles starter Brent Celek, but the sophomore tight end was also a focal point of Kelly’s offense. He hauled in 25 receptions for 392 yards a six touchdowns for the Ducks in 2012, but perhaps more interesting was how Kelly used him in the backfield.

Lyerla, a five star recruit coming out of college in 2011, also carried the football 13 times for 77 yards and a score last season. Most of those carries came in a 49-0 win over Arizona in which he carried the ball seven times for 63 yards and a touchdown.

And such a gameplan is indicative of the type of offensive acumen that had the Eagles brass so enamored with Kelly.

Here’s an excerpt from a September 2012 The Oregonian story that helps provide some insight into Kelly’s philosophy.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly said the decision to use Lyerla at running back didn’t come out of necessity to add power to the running game. Instead, Kelly said he merely viewed the move as a way to maximize Lyerla’s skills.

“We always knew he had the ability,” Kelly said. “You could just tell he was great with runs after the catch, and things like that.”

While you shouldn’t expect Brent Celek to get any touches out of what is already expected to be a stacked backfield, this might provide some insight on what Kelly would like to do at tight end behind Celek. Clay Harbor is a solid stopgap type of player, but doesn’t bring the upside or athleticism Kelly may seek in a backup tight end. This is one thing to keep an eye on as the offseason unfolds.

Starters:

1) Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

Despite the spleen injury that’s threatening his availability for the season-opener on September 5th, Witten has been one of the most consistent producers in the entire NFL over the past few seasons. He’s Tony Romo’s safety blanket and his favorite target, and he made 7 Pro Bowls in a row between 2004-2010. He’s up there with Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates, and Vernon Davis as one of the top TEs in the league.

2) Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles

Celek has been an above-average TE since he broke out in 2009 after he got a chance to start when LJ Smith left in free agency. His 2009 season was excellent: he had 76 catches for 971 yards and 8 TDs and signed a monster contract extension. After a disappointing 2010 that saw him used in more of a blocking role to protect Michael Vick as the two struggled to get on the same page (42 catches, 511 yards, 4 TDs), Celek bounced back in 2011 to put up 811 yards and 5 TDs on 62 catches. He’s extremely durable, as he’s never missed a game in his NFL career and has started in 46 of his last 48 contests.

3) Fred Davis, Washington Redskins

Davis had a breakout season last year, tallying 796 yards and 3 TDs on 59 catches. However, he was suspended for the last 4 games of the season for failing a drug test. With long-time TE Chris Cooley being cut by the Redskins today, Davis is going to be expected to continue to improve on his game and have a moster year this season as rookie QB Robert Griffin III’s safety valve.

4) Bear Pascoe, New York Giants

Pascoe inherited the TE role in New York after Kevin Boss’s departure prior to the 2012 season and  season-ending injuries to Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum in the Giants’ Super Bowl triumph over the Patriots. Pascoe is primarily a blocker, though he did chip in with a TD catch against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Title game (the only one of his career) and 4 catches for 33 yards in the Super Bowl win over the Patriots. Since the Giants’ offense primarily utilizes the TE as a blocker, Pascoe’s lack of receiving ability isn’t as big of an issue as it would be in other places. He’ll compete with newly-acquired TE Martellus Bennett (formerly of the Dallas Cowboys) for playing time this season.

January 1, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek (87) scores a touchdown after catching a passuring the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia defeated Washington 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Rob Christy-US PRESSWIRE

Backups:

Martellus Bennett has immense upside, but he’s struggled to deliver on it thus far in his NFL career. In 4 seasons as Jason Witten’s backup, Bennett accumulated just 85 catches for 846 yards and 4 TDs, with all 4 of those TDs coming in 2008, his rookie season. Bennett’s listed at 6’6, 265 (though he showed up to camp at 291 pounds), so the physical tools are definitely there. He’s got the phsyical tools to unseat Pascoe and have a big year in New York, but he’s struggled with mental lapses and drops in the past. He’s got the most upside out of any backup in the division, however, and he might not be a backup for long. John Phillips is the primary backup to Jason Witten in Dallas, but he’s primarily a blocking TE, as he had just 15 catches for 101 yards and 1 TD last season. Due to Witten’s spleen injury, the Cowboys could take John Hanna as a 3rd TE. He’s shown some receiving ability in preseason games thus far. The Redskins cut Chris Cooley today, leaving the unproven Niles Paul (2 career receptions) as the primary backup to Fred Davis. Yikes. Logan Paulsen (13 career catches) is also a backup TE option in Washington. In Philadelphia, Clay Harbor has had an excellent training camp and preseason after the Eagles tried to bring in veteran TE Visanthe Shiancoe before training camp. He’s not a great blocker, but Celek is, and Harbor provides upside and receiving ability at the 2nd TE spot. He had 13 catches for 163 yards and a TD last season, and in his 3rd year he looks to be taking a leap forward after an excellent preseason (6 catches, 2 TDs against New England). The backup situation doesn’t change the overall order of the division’s TEs, though it did close the gap somewhat between the Eagles and Cowboys and the Giants and Redskins in my opinion.

October 2, 2011; Philadelphia, PA USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Clay Harbor (82) catches 16-yard touchdown pass in 1st quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE

Final Order:

1) Dallas Cowboys

2) Philadelphia Eagles

3) Washington Redskins

4) New York Giants

Overall Standings by points:

1) Philadelphia Eagles-7 points

2) New York Giants-9 points

3) Dallas Cowboys-10 points

4) Washington Redskins-14 points