TIGHT END
TOP 5 QB VIDEO
1
Bryce Young
2
CJ Stroud
3
Hendon Hooker
4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5
Jaren Hall
1
Michael Mayer
TE / NOTRE DAME / 6'4 / 265
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Mayer is a well-rounded tight end with a translatable skillset for the NFL. His ability to sit in the zone and create consistent yardage on short concepts stands out right away. He is an intelligent player with a strong frame and impressive balance. His agility and strength make him a consistent contributor who can beat you in the simplest ways. Although he could sometimes improve his technique, Mayer is an effective and willing blocker who can help both in the trenches and downfield. He will not blow you away with his athleticism, but his understanding of the game and all-around skillset will make him a go-to guy for years to come.
Grade: Round 1
TJ Hockenson
2
Dalton Kincaid
TE / UTAH / 6'4 / 240
Kincaid is an impressive pass-catcher with crisp fundamentals. He is a nuanced route-runner with remarkable footwork and quickness. Kincaid can make plays on all levels of the field and is a matchup nightmare in certain alignments. His ability as a receiver is good enough to be the entire focal point of an offence. His hands are very reliable, and Kincaid can come up with dynamic catches downfield. Although he does not possess the power to dominate as a blocker, his upside as a pass-catcher and overall skillset warrant a premium draft selection.
Grade: Round 1
Zach Ertz
3
Darnell Washington
TE / GEORGIA / 6'7 / 270
Washington is a highly effective blocker who poses matchup nightmares. He is an offensive line extension and one of the best blockers in recent memory. His ability to hold up in pass protection and get out in space adds another element to the game. With his frame, Washington could become unstoppable in the red zone. For his size, his coordination is impressive, making him nearly impossible to stop. However, Washington is not going to be a volume guy. He is not a pure route runner or someone who creates separation. I don't know how he will be used at the next level, but his physical uniqueness will make him a fun watch.
Grade: Round 2
Mercedes Lewis
4
Luke Musgrave
TE / OREGON STATE / 6'6 / 255
Musgrave is a highly athletic tight-end with an impressive vertical presence. He possesses exceptional speed for the position, allowing him to stretch the field effectively and find opportunities up the seam. Musgrave is a smooth player with special physical traits across the board. His landing spot is going to be crucial. Musgrave is an unknown, with just 47 catches over his four-year career. If he goes to a team that knows how to utilize him and scheme him open, he could become a premier player at the position.
Grade: Round 2
Travis Kelce
5
Sam LaPorta
TE / IOWA / 6'4 / 249
LaPorta is a well-rounded tight end with an extensive route tree. He is a smart and nuanced runner who understands spacing and deception. LaPorta is very smooth in and out of his breaks and has proved to be a highly reliable target. He will not burn defenders with his athleticism, but his ability to get open and make plays is valuable. LaPorta could be a better blocker and will need to improve, especially in the run game. However, as a pass-catcher, LaPorta has the all-around ability to become a quality starter at the next level.
Grade: Round 2
Hayden Hurst
6
Tucker Kraft
TE / SOUTH DAKOTA ST. / 6'5 / 255
Kraft is a stocky tight end with good play strength and a long build. Although he could occasionally improve his technique, Kraft is an effective blocker with the traits to succeed at the next level. He will not overwhelm defenders with speed and athleticism, but his sneaky smoothness and big catch radius allow Kraft to contribute to the passing game. He has a strong build and can play through contact as a receiver and runner. I don't see Kraft as anything unique, but with his physical prowess and strong hands, he has the potential to become a quality option in the NFL
Grade: Round 3
Hunter Hnery
7
Zack Kuntz
TE / OLD DOMINION / 6'8 / 245
Kuntz is a huge tight end with a rare blend of size and speed. At 6 foot 8, his ability to go up and highpoint the ball is dangerous. He is a coordinated player who understands how to adjust to the catch and win 50/50 balls. For his size, and even for the position as a whole, Kuntz possesses impactful speed. His ability to quickly release and get downfield will make him a downfield presence at the next level. With an upright and lengthy frame, I don't see Kuntz becoming much as a blocker, but his pass-catching upside will give him a role at the next level.
Grade: Round 4
Mike Gesicki
8
Davis Allen
TE / CLEMSON / 6'6 / 250
Allen is a fluid-tight end with a knack for making plays and effectiveness as a blocker. He possesses solid short-area quickness and is very smooth in and out of his breaks. With his reliable hands and ability to high-point the ball, Allen can consistently come up with contested catches. He lacks the breakaway athleticism to become a dynamic pass-catcher but can absolutely contribute as a reliable possession player. I think Allen can carve out a valuable role as a safety valve and blocker.
Grade: Round 4
Tyler Eifert
9
Payne Durham
TE / PURDUE / 6'5 / 258
Durham is a thick tight end with strong hands and a skillset to thrive in the red zone. His functional strength makes him an effective blocker, particularly in the run game. While Durham does not possess a great athletic profile, his reliable hands and ability to take advantage of inside leverage make him a factor in the middle of the field. He can endure contact well, and his ability to quickly transition from catch to run is impressive for his size. Durham can be a quality player drafted, likely drafted for a bargain price.
Grade: Round 4
Kyle Rudolph
10
Noah Gindorff
TE / NDSU / 6'6 / 268
Gindorff is a thick tight end with strong hands in traffic. His main asset comes as a blocker. At nearly 270 lbs, Gindorff has the physical tools and technique to contribute as a pass-protector and especially as a run blocker. For his size, he moves well and possesses good coordination and balance. Although not the most dynamic pass-catcher, Gindorff can contribute to short concepts and adds value as an after-the-catch runner. His hands are strong, and Gindorff can make contested catches in traffic. I see him as a quality depth tight end who can provide a ton of value as a blocker.
Grade: Round 4
Vance McDonald
11
Cameron Latu
TE / ALABAMA / 6'5 / 248
Latu is a smart and versatile player with a competitive demeanour. He keeps moving when the play breaks down and understands the spacing of the field. Latu possesses alignment versatility, especially in the red zone, where he can be a productive player. Latu doesn't have the size to pile drive as a blocker, but his technique and consistency will allow him to keep up in that area. With an underwhelming athletic profile and an inability to create separation, he will not be too dynamic. However, his reliability and intelligence give Latu the upside to become a quality starter in the NFL.
Grade: Round 5
Logan Thomas
12
Luke Schoonmaker
TE / MICHIGAN / 6'6 / 249
Schoonmaker is a reliable and smart tight end with significant upside as a blocker. He has good play strength and understands how to win the leverage battle to create separation. He's not going to overwhelm with his athletic profile, but Schoonmaker is a consistent player with soft hands. He possesses an impressive ability to adjust and make tough catches. Schoonmaker's best fit would be in a unique run scheme where his open-space blocking and alignment versatility are utilized.
Grade: Round 5
Harrison Bryant
13
Brevyn Spann-Ford
TE / MINNESOTA / 6'7 / 270
Spann-Ford is an imposing tight end with a good combination of size and athleticism. With his frame and physical traits, he has the potential to excel as a blocker in the NFL. Spann-Ford is extremely athletic for his size, possessing a good ability to operate in space. However, his short-area quickness and overall agility will limit his upside as a consistent pass-catching threat. Spann-Ford is an exciting prospect who will contribute value as a blocker, red zone threat, and situational player.
Grade: Round 5
Martellus Bennett
14
Brenton Strange
TE / PENN STATE / 6'3 / 246
Strange is an athletic tight end with impressive YAC abilities. He is a fluid athlete who moves exceptionally well in open space and has the speed to be a factor. There are definitely size limitations which will hinder his effectiveness at the next level. However, Strange is an impressive pound-for-pound player whose blocking abilities outperform his frame. He is a competitive performer who has a knack for making plays. Strange is not a pure route runner and will have trouble separating in man coverage. His YAC abilities will allow him to produce situationally in the NFL.
Grade: Round 6
Evan Engram
15
Josh Whyle
TE / CINCINNATI / 6'6 / 260
Whyle is a big tight end with impressive speed for his size. Considering his build, Whyles's athletic profile is top-notch. He is a valuable asset in open space and has the traits to become a downfield presence. He usually runs with an upright frame, stopping him from running precise routes. His effectiveness as a blocker is limited, and defenders can quickly gain leverage over him. Whyle's athletic abilities provide his upside as a prospect, but his route running and blocking will need to improve to make an impact at the next level.
Grade: Round 6
Luke Stocker
16
Jahleel Billingsley
TE / TENNESSEE / 6'4 / 217
Billingsley is an undersized tight end with impressive athleticism. He is a long-limbed athlete with the speed to be a vertical presence. Billingsley is simply not big enough right now to play the tight end position. He lacks the functional strength to contribute as a blocker and is a liability when working in the trenches. I see Billingsley as a positional change candidate who is better suited to play wide receiver. His agility, catch radius, and coordination make him a pass-catching threat on any level of the field.
Grade: Round 6
Juwan Johnson
17
Will Mallory
TE / MIAMI / 6'5 / 245
Mallory is a thin tight end with firm hands. He lacks the functional strength to win in the trenches, and his upright fixture limits his ability as a blocker. Mallory has solid acceleration off the line of scrimmage and possesses an effective release. I see a lot of value in contested catch situations and adjusting to come up with downfield grabs. However, Mallory lacks the twitch and athletism you would like to see out of his frame.