Welcome to draft season! This is the third of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (April 27-29). Here are my top 10 tight ends:
— 1. Michael Mayer (Jr., Notre Dame, 6-foot-4, 249 pounds)
The Irish pipeline at tight end to the NFL continues to flourish. Notre Dame has had 14 players drafted at the position this century. This former five-star recruit isn't as explosive as Kyle Pitts, but Mayer's receiving acumen, size and toughness put him just a tier below Pitts as a prospect. Projected: Round 1
— 2. Dalton Kincaid (Sr., Utah, 6-3, 246)
Kincaid has been highly productive at two levels (he previously played at the University of San Diego), with at least eight touchdowns in each of his four full seasons of play between two schools. He's a liability as a blocker, but he's a fluid athlete, smooth route runner (something he's worked on) with great hands and is a clear and present danger in the red zone. Doctors recently cleared him to return from a back injury he suffered last November. Questions surrounding that injury could cause him to slip into the second round depending on team's draft boards. Something similar happened with Rob Gronkowski in 2010. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 3. Tucker Kraft (Jr., South Dakota State, 6-4, 254)
Kraft is a well-rounded prospect who features prototypical size, elite ball skills and is capable of making something happen after the catch. He can also be trusted as a blocker in the run game. He'll likely be the third Jackrabbits player drafted in the top 100 since 1976 — the other two were also tight ends (Dallas Goedert in 2018 and Steve Heiden in 1999). Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 4. Darnell Washington (Jr., Georgia, 6-6, 264)
Washington put on a show at the combine, running the 40 in 4.64 seconds — an impressive time for a person his size — and absolutely abused the blocking sled. He's essentially an extra offensive lineman who can create mismatches in the passing game. There's not a lot of those running around. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 5. Luke Musgrave (Sr., Oregon State, 6-5, 253)
Musgrave is a work-in-progress as a blocker and he only played two games last season (knee injury), although we caught a glimpse of his potential with him making 11 receptions for 169 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and a TD. He's an elite athlete, with soft hands and can create separation with his speed. Medical evaluations will be a factor in where he ends up. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 6. Sam LaPorta (Sr., Iowa, 6-3, 245)
The Hawkeyes continue to churn out great tight end prospects who are well-versed in all aspects of the game — George Kittle, TJ Hockenson and Noah Fant are all doing well in the NFL. LaPorta was a team captain last season and his measurables are almost identical to Kittle, but his ball skills and elusiveness fall a little short. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 7. Will Mallory (Sr., Miami, 6-4, 239)
Mallory was a four-star recruit, who was the No. 8 tight end in the 2018 recruiting class (three spots behind Kyle Pitts, one ahead of Pat Freiermuth). His athleticism and speed will threaten safeties in the NFL. His 4.54 40-yard dash was first among tight ends at the combine. He's a modern move tight end, not a smash-mouth football player, but his father has coached special teams in college and the pros, so he won't be surprised with what is expected of him at the next level. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— 8. Luke Schoonmaker (Sr., Michigan, 6-5, 251)
Schoonmaker is a two-year starter who has improved every season in Ann Arbor. There's still development needed as a blocker, but the former high school quarterback is an efficient route runner with plenty of athleticism and speed for the position. Projected: Round 3
— 9. Zack Kuntz (Sr., Old Dominion, 6-7, 255)
A four-star recruit, Kuntz was the No. 4 tight end in the 2018 recruiting class where he ended up attending Penn State. He led the Monarchs in receiving and was first team All-CUSA after transferring in 2021 before becoming a team captain last season. He missed the final seven games of his senior season due to a knee injury, but looked healthy and explosive at the combine. He's the ideal developmental home run swing based on rare athletic traits (size and speed) for the position. Developing his technique in all aspects of his game and building up his play strength could unlock a cheat code. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— 10. Davis Allen (Sr., Clemson, 6-5, 245)
Allen is a reliable receiver with only three drops in his four years with the Tigers, while playing in all 54 games. He was voted a team captain his senior season. He's played over 500 snaps on special teams and made seven tackles in his collegiate career. Allen isn't particularly exciting or overly dynamic, but there's a lot to work with here. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— BONUS: Brenton Strange (Jr., Penn State, 6-3, 253)
Strange has natural hands (one drop in 38 targets last season) and is effective as a lead blocker in the run game. He has significant experience on kickoff return and punt coverage. He's also showcased impressive versatility, lining up in the backfield, inline or in the slot/outside. There are limitations though. Strange was the only tight end at the combine with a sub-76-inch wingspan and his production for a three-year starter is lacking. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— BONUS: Cameron Latu (Sr., Alabama, 6-4, 242)
A four-star recruit, Latu was the No. 7 weakside defensive end in the 2018 recruiting class, but switched to tight end before the 2019 season. He earned Bryce Young's trust the past two seasons with over 80% of his receptions resulting in a first down or touchdown, including a school record for TDs (eight) by a tight end in 2021. He played rugby and wrestled in high school, so there's upside as a blocker as he continues to develop. Projected: Rounds 5-7
— BONUS: Payne Durham (Sr., Purdue, 6-5, 253)
Durham provides strong hands (only four drops out of 136 targets the last two seasons) and a big catch radius. He isn't a burner or much of a RAC threat, but he is a four-year starter who can create a reliable window for quarterbacks to target. Projected: Rounds 5-7
