Next up in our positional rankings series ahead of the 2023 NFL draft is a very talented tight end group that has some truly intriguing prospects, especially atop the list.
As usual, before we get started, I want to go over my grading process once again for first-time readers who don’t have any idea of how my grading system works.
These explanations can get repetitive once you’ve read it a few times, so feel free to skip all this and keep scrolling to jump right into the rankings if you please.
Now that I’ve covered all that, let’s provide some background information for new readers.
Over the last couple of months, I have studied and graded over 150 players in total. In order to do a proper evaluation, I watch a minimum of three games for each prospect before coming up with my opinions/grades.
However, more often than not, I watched at least five or six contests for each prospect before doing an evaluation. Unfortunately, there were some cases in which I had trouble getting certain all-22 tapes, so I had to work with what I had.
Long story short: I essentially evaluated each individual game that I watched, and then I averaged those grades into one final film grade worth a total of 20 points.
Example: blue-chip prospects (90 percent or higher) received anywhere from 18-20 points in all likelihood.
Game tape is the only criterion that is worth 20 points on my grading scale, while other areas, such as analytics, athletic score, ceiling/floor, etc., are worth a maximum of 10 points.
We are on the verge of wrapping up my offensive rankings, but before we shift to the defensive side, we still have to go over my top 10 tight ends, which will be updated on the morning of the draft (April 27).
To check out the rest of my positional rankings that have been released so far, scroll to the bottom of this article. I’ve also linked to my scouting reports.
Now, the tight end rankings.
1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Quick analysis: Most all-around TE in the class. Can impact the game as a playmaking receiver or a dominant run-blocker.
Grade: 86.5 (first round)
Ceiling projection: Mid-first round
Floor projection: Mid-second round
Today’s prospect breakdown:
TE Michael Mayer, @NDFootball2022 Grades & Stats:
-Overall: 92.5
-Receiving: 91.6
-Run Block: 82.1
-Yards Per Route Run: 2.44
-Drop Rate: 5.6%
-Contested Catch Rate: 65.4%
-Catches: 67
-Yards: 809
-TDs: 9-Mayer finished 2022 as PFF’s top-graded TE pic.twitter.com/OKkcxCjqIV
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) February 13, 2023
2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Quick analysis: More of a big slot WR than a true tight end. Kincaid possesses a large catch radius combined with fantastic ball skills, refined route-running, and reliable hands.
Grade: 83.8 (first round)
Ceiling projection: Mid-first round
Floor projection: Mid-second round
Today’s prospect breakdown:
TE Dalton Kincaid, @Utah_Football2022 Grades & Stats:
•Overall: 90.2
•Receiving: 91.7
•Run-Block: 59.5
•Yards Per Route Run: 2.42
•Drop Rate: 2.8%
•Contested Catch Rate: 50.0%
•Receptions: 70
•Yards: 890
•Touchdowns: 8#2023NFLDraft #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/OdPoEEz0Mo— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) February 14, 2023
3. Darnell Washington, Georgia
Quick analysis: Massive and punishing presence for an offense who is essentially a sixth O-lineman in the run game. Is capable of boxing out smaller defenders as a pass-catcher as well.
Grade: 80.1 (first round)
Ceiling projection: Late first round
Floor projection: Late second round
Today’s prospect breakdown:
TE Darnell Washington, @GeorgiaFootball2022 Grades & Stats:
-Overall: 85.7
-Receiving l: 78.3
-Run Blocking: 81.3
-Yards Per Route Run: 1.77
-Drop Rate: 6.7%
-Contested Catch Rate: 40.0%
-Receptions: 28
-Yards: 454
-TDs: 2#GoDawgs #2023NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/iqf0hUvuhK— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) February 15, 2023
4. Sam LaPorta, Iowa
Quick analysis: Solid run-blocker who also happened to be Iowa’s most consistent weapon in a dismal passing offense. He nearly produced more receiving yards in 2022 (657) than Iowa’s top three WRs combined (667).
Grade: 78.5 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Early second round
Floor projection: Late third round
Today’s prospect breakdown:
TE Sam LaPorta, @HawkeyeFootball2022 Grades & Stats:
-Overall: 80.1
-Receiving: 85.2
-Run Blocking: 53.1
-Yards Per Route Run: 2.15
-Drop Rate: 9.4%
-Contested Catch Rate: 37.5%
-Receptions: 58
-Yards: 657
-Touchdowns: 1#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/awlpucvnQd— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) February 17, 2023
5. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
Quick analysis: Superb athlete from the tight end position who possesses a ton of upside as a pass-catcher. He puts defenses in a bind because he is often too fast for linebackers, but too big for defensive backs. Unfortunately, he missed most of 2022 with a knee injury.
Grade: 74.8 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Early second round
Floor projection: Late third round
6. Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
Quick analysis: Big-bodied tight end who has a ton of untapped potential. He is a reliable pass-catcher who could eventually develop into a dominant run-blocker as well once he gets stronger.
Grade: 69.9 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Late second round
Floor projection: Early fourth round
Final Prospect Breakdown of the Week:
TE Luke Schoonmaker, @UMichFootball2022 Grades & Stats:
Overall: 72.7
Receiving: 78.7
Run-Blocking: 55.7
Yards Per Route Run: 2.15
Drop Rate: 5.4%
Contested Catch Rate: 28.6%
Receptions: 35
Yards: 418
Touchdowns: 3#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/XRMCaOR8Ra— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) February 17, 2023
7. Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
Quick analysis: Impactful three-down player who is sufficient in every aspect of his game. Kraft will only continue to improve once he’s around NFL coaching on a full-time basis.
Grade: 68.3 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Early third round
Floor projection: Late fourth round
8. Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion
Quick analysis: Phenomenal athlete who is the type of project NFL teams love to get their hands on. He tied for the highest Relative Athletic Score (10.0) by a tight end since 1987.
Grade: 67.9 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Early third round
Floor projection: Late fourth round
9. Payne Durham, Purdue
Quick analysis: Reliable blocking tight end who also adds value as a big red-zone target. Durham is a limited athlete who needs to get stronger to truly maximize his skill set
Grade: 59.1 (fourth round)
Ceiling projection: Early fourth round
Floor projection: Late fifth round
10. Josh Whyle, Cincinnati
Quick analysis: Tall, reliable pass-catcher who only dropped six passes over his five years at Cincinnati. Can play in the slot or in-line
Grade: 58.7 (fourth round)
Ceiling projection: Early-fourth round
Floor projection: Early-sixth round
More positional rankings
Check out my scouting reports
Titans NFL draft history
