The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers haven’t drafted a tight end in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2000 when they selected Bubba Franks with the 14th overall pick.
That streak could come to an end on Thursday when the Packers are on the clock with the 15th overall pick. Given the state of Green Bay’s tight end room, it’s reasonable to expect Brian Gutekunst to target a tight end early in the 2023 NFL Draft.
A tight end that Gutekunst could target in the first round is Dalton Kincaid. The Utah tight end checks in at No. 5 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Dalton Kincaid, my 2nd ranked TE, is about to take the field in the Pac-12 Championship game.
"Kincaid is a well-rounded tight end that continues to improve in all areas." @AMarkhamRivals
Check out what the Utah TE could bring to Green Bay's offense. https://t.co/ycKPWYC1Ze pic.twitter.com/FWovVvsxmV
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) December 3, 2022
Kincaid played just one year of high school football and started his collegiate career at San Diego. During his two seasons at San Diego, Kincaid scored 19 touchdowns. He transferred to Utah for the 2020 season and caught just one pass. In 2021, Kincaid hauled in 36 receptions for 510 yards and eight touchdowns.
This past season, Kincaid broke out for the Utes, reeling in 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns.
Utah TE Dalton Kincaid had himself a day against USC.
Here are all 16 catches (on 16 targets) by Kincaid. pic.twitter.com/P5t5TG4bdv
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 22, 2023
“He was brilliant,” Alex Markham, the publisher for UteNation.com said. “As crazy as it may sound, Kincaid wasn’t the primary target in the Utah offense until the season-ending injury to tight end Brant Kuithe. After that, not only did Kincaid step up and rise to the occasion, he became the best tight end in college football. Teams would know the ball was coming to him and they couldn’t stop him. Had Kincaid not gotten hurt toward the tail end of the season, he would have easily surpassed 1,000 yards. Even at that, he fought through the injury until the Utah program looked out for his future and came to the conclusion for him to shut it down and sit out the Rose Bowl.”
Kincaid, a high school wide receiver, might be the best receiving tight end in this talented class. He’s an off-brand Travis Kelce. The Utah tight end is an explosive playmaker with the speed to threaten the seam and win vertically. He accelerates off the line of scrimmage to quickly enter his route. He’s quick in and out of his breaks. Kincaid has outstanding body control. Kincaid has strong hands with a large catch radius. According to Pro Football Focus, Kincaid finished his career with just two drops.
There are a handful of true Y-iso tight ends in the NFL — those guys who can align solo to one side of the field and just blow defenders away with athletic attributes and ball-tracking ability.
Utah's Dalton Kincaid is about to be one of them. pic.twitter.com/uraxnq8SHP
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 15, 2023
“His hands,” Markham said. “He only had two drops his entire college career. One of those drops came when he was playing through his back injury. Kincaid has a huge catch radius, hands with glue, and he excels at high pointing the ball winning contested battles.”
Kincaid has juice after the catch. According to PFF, Kincaid picked up 397 yards after the catch and forced 16 missed tackles this past season.
Kincaid improved each season as a blocker. He shows willingness. He’ll need to add some bulk to hold up at the point of attack.
Dalton Kincaid (#86) with the key block on this rushing TD.#DraftCrush pic.twitter.com/EnJPbtOd15
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) November 30, 2022
“He’s a work in progress and for the first year in the NFL he’ll be more utilized in the passing game,” Markham said. “This is nothing that will hurt his draft stock because he’ll be so valuable immediately in any team’s passing game. I have no doubt that he’ll develop as a blocker. By year two or three, you’ll see an all-around tight end.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers need an infusion of talent at the tight end position. As it stands right now Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis sit atop the team’s depth chart. It’s a duo that’s combined for 48 career receptions.
Gutekunst needs to get Jordan Love playmakers and Kincaid might be the most dynamic tight end in this class.
“Kincaid is the type of tight end that passing offenses crave,” Markham said. “He’s a day-one contributor. He’s a great route runner. He’s a reliable pass catcher with a knack for YAC and not going down easy. Kincaid not only has a high floor, but he also has a high ceiling, as well. He also has high character and will develop into a leader in the locker room.”
While Kincaid may take his lumps early on in his career as a blocker, he’ll make up for those shortcomings with his ability to be a difference-maker as a pass catcher.
For some, the 15th pick may be a little rich for a tight end that will turn 24 in October. However, there is no denying that Kincaid would give the Packers a much-needed playmaker.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Gutekunst selected an off-ball linebacker in the first round since 2006. A few picks later he drafted a 24-year-old defensive lineman.
It’s been 23 years since the Packers drafted a tight end in the first round. With his strong hands, route running, and explosive playmaking ability, Kincaid could put an end to that streak.
