Our Top Six Tight Ends in the 2024 NFL Draft
By Brandon Lane
BROCK BOWERS
Georgia (JR), TE
A 4-star recruit with a multi-positional background in high school (quarterback, tight end and linebacker) made an immediate impact as a tight end for the Bulldogs (56 receptions, 882 yards, and 13 TDs). He kept it rolling his sophomore year catching 63 balls for 942 yards and seven TDs. And in his final season he caught 56 receptions, 714 yards and seven TDs (missed two games due to ankle surgery). So let’s get that calculator out…his collegiate stats totaled 194 touches for 2,731 yards and 31 touchdowns. Oh yah, and go ahead and tack on two National Championship to that resume. YES, there is reason to be excited for this generational talent. Bowers is leaps and bounds above the rest of the tight end class and will be a early first round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pluses:
• Speed and excellent footwork
• A versatile pass catcher who can beat man and zone coverage
• Contested catch winner
• A threat out of the backfield
• Contact balance
Concerns:
• Needs to improve blocking skills
• Ankle injury in 2023 which required surgery
• Lacks elite size at the position
• Occasionally reacts late causing some drops
THEO JOHNSON
Penn State (SR), TE
A 4-star recruit who has the size, speed and athleticism to make it at the next level. He was not highly utilized by the Nittany Lions due to target competition but tested well at the combine. At the Senior Bowl he stood out as the best tight end on the field on what was a mostly lackluster group. He consistently made catches, separated with ease and ran a full route tree.
Pluses:
• Size/Speed combination
• Catch radius
• Great hands
Concerns:
• Has room to improve as a blocker
• Lacks burst after the catch
JA’TAVION SANDERS
Texas (JR), TE
A 5-star recruit out of high school as a wide receiver who transitioned to tight end when he joined the Longhorns. A talented pass-catcher, he struggled to find consistent targets but showcased the ability to play in-line and from the slot. Sanders didn’t see much work as a freshman but made his presence known the following year catching 49 balls for 577 yards and 5 TDs. In his final season he equaled those numbers with 39 catches for 607 yards and 2 TDs. His limited blocking skill set coupled with his limited usage will likely have teams viewing him as a upside project who will need to hone his craft at the next level.
Pluses:
• Agile route runner
• Great hands
• Mismatch for defenses
• Leaping/Contested catch ability
• Good burst
Concerns:
• Speed (4.69 40-yard dash)
• Needs reps
• Blocking
ERICK ALL
IOWA (SR), TE
A 4-star recruit who spent his four years at Michigan before transferring to Iowa for a 5th year. All’s collegiate career was plagued by injuries which severely limited his resume, but when healthy he showed enough to be my favorite wild card at the tight end position. An all around player who is a willing and productive blocker with good hands and size to excel at the next level. IF…he can stay healthy All could be a late round win for the team that takes a chance on him.
Pluses:
• Agile route runner with good understanding of speed control
• Ability to beat man and zone coverage
• Plus blocking skills
• Big frame and strong hands
Concerns:
• Injury history including back-to-back season ending injuries (Back and ACL)
• Limited to short yardage duties/struggles with downfield separation
• Lacks power/physicality
Others of note:
CADE STOVER, OHIO STATE (SR), 6'4, 247lbs
Stover is a converted wide receiver who also logged reps at fullback, which explains his plus blocking skills. He offers good hands but needs to refine his route running. Stover will need to work on his physicality to make it at the next level.
BEN SINNOTT, KANSAS STATE (SR), 6'4, 250lbs
Coming into the Senior Bowl Sinnott peaked my interest but what I saw left me moving him down my board. He struggled with drops, lacked physicality, and needs to improve blocking. His NFL Combine numbers did not help his case either.
