This former Texas high school basketball star does not play like one on the football field. Bennett's not the fastest tight end in this draft, but the combination of his receiving and blocking skills are what make him coveted by NFL teams. There are probably few college tight ends in recent history who have averaged four catches (49 for 587 yards and four touchdowns) and more than five knockdown blocks (67) per game.

Positives: Very tall with long arms and big hands. … Lines up in the slot, in motion and on the line. … Adjusts well to poorly thrown balls. … Stays down coming out of stance to get a release. … Not just a receiver, he's good enough in-line to handle defensive ends and linebackers. … Releases downfield quickly, even when chipping an end on the way out. … Gets pads down to make it more difficult to tackle him in the open field. … Fights for extra yardage.

Negatives: Lacks great straight-line speed needed to get separation from NFL linebackers and safeties. … Not sudden into or out of breaks, and will round them off. … Does not always secure the ball. … Uses body to catch the ball at times. … Doesn't always adjust to late-coming blitzers in pass protection."

Consensus prep All-American … was a three-year starter and a two-time all-district and All-Greater Houston selection at tight end for the Alief Taylor High School … member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine's Super Team … was a finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year … preseason All-Greater Houston selection in basketball in 2004-05.

Earned first-team Class 5A all-state honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association after hauling in a team-high 42 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns as a senior in 2004 … also grabbed four two-point conversion receptions in 2004 … as a junior, Bennett had 13 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns … as a sophomore member of the varsity, Bennett averaged 12.4 yards per catch … coached by Tom Gerber … as a senior in basketball, Bennett averaged 23 points and 8.2 rebounds per game … coached in basketball by Jeff Durnford at Alief Taylor High School.

Martellus Bennett is the son of Pennie and Michael Bennett of Houston, Texas.