Six Tight Ends we like in the 2023 NFL Draft
By Brandon Lane
DALTON KINCAID
UTAH (SR), TE
Kincaid broke out his senior season starting 9-of-12 games quickly becoming Utah’s go-to in the passing game catching 70 balls for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned both 2022 first-team All-Pac-12 and third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press. In a class lacking elite wide receiver talent Kincaid grades as a first rounder who could be selected in the Top 15 of this year’s draft.
Pluses:
• Can play downfield as a receiver/Move Tight End
• Great hands
• Fluid route runner with ball tracking skills
Concerns:
• Lacks some size
• Good not great in contested situations
• Liability as a blocker
• Ended college career with a shoulder injury
MICHAEL MAYER
NOTRE DAME (JR), TE
In today’s NFL everyone is looking for the athletic freaks that jump off the page with their testing scores. That is not Mayer who falls into more of the old-school style of tight end along the line of Jason Witten. He does everything well enough to succeed and keep himself on the field as an every-down player in the NFL. He was successful all three of his seasons at Notre Dame but really popped his sophomore year with 71 receptions, 840 yards and 7 TDs. He continued that momentum in his final season (Junior year) hauling in 67 balls for 809 yards and 9 TDs. While he might not be the new-age athletic freak, he is the type of player coaches love and we expect him to be the 2nd tight end off the board selected somewhere in the middle-to-end of Round 1 in this year’s draft.
Pluses:
• Football IQ
• Wins in contested situations even without elite speed
• Hard to take down
• Functional blocker
• Works hard and gets the job done
Concerns:
• Lacks speed and burst
• Doesn’t always make adjustments quickly
• Not a YAC guy
LUKE MUSGRAVE
Oregon State (JR), TE
Musgrave’s 2020 season was limited to just two games after suffering a knee injury. During his 2021 season he started 9-of-13 games showing promise with flashes of athleticism and receiving prowess. In his final season Musgrave started hot, catching 11 passes for 169 yards and a TD in the first two games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Limited to only 20 games over his college career he took the opportunity to attend the Senior Bowl and this is where I had the opportunity to see him consistently become a mismatch for the defense even with spotty QB play. He’s our #3 tight end in the 2022 class and if he can stay health we project him having success at the NFL level.
Pluses:
• Fluid route runner
• Athletic big frame and hands
• Proficient blocker
• Good speed
Concerns:
• Needs to add size and strength
• Injury issues
• Needs reps (only 13 starts, 47 catches)
DARNELL WASHINGTON
GEORGIA (JR), TE
A three year starter with a MASSIVE frame (6’7, 270lb) he is an in-line player who profiles as a legit red-zone threat. He lacked opportunities in college and will need time to develop, work on his ball handling and route running. His elite size and blocking chops make it an option to transition to offensive tackle. When in the game at tight end he gives the offense another full-sized lineman to help in blocking situations.
Pluses:
• Excellent run-blocker
• Red-zone threat
• Massive hands
• A mismatch for defenders
Concerns:
• Lacks consistency
• Doesn’t break tackles after the catch
• High drop-rate
• Needs to work on technique across the board
SAM LAPORTA
Iowa (JR), TE
LaPorta’s numbers might not jump off the page but that was due to lack of opportunity not talent. Over his final two seasons he lead the Hawkeyes in receiving. A H-back who can not only move the chains but also play outside showcasing excellent speed (4.54 40-yard dash), great hands, and shiftiness. In the right system he has the makings of a modern day move tight end.
Pluses:
• Great receiver
• Powerful and hard to take down
• Showcases shiftiness and after the catch ability
Concerns:
• Needs to sustain his blocks better
• Lacking physicality in contested catch situations
TUCKER KRAFT
South Dakota State (rJR), TE
Kraft made the transition from a oversized high school running back to tight end in college. After red-shirting his freshman year he became a target hog for the Jackrabbits in his 2021 season catching 65 balls for 773 yards and six TDs. In 2022 Kraft missed six games due to an ankle injury he suffered in the season-opener against the Iowa Hawkeyes. He went on to finish the season with 25 catches for 318 yards and three touchdowns. We predict Kraft to be one of the top 5 tight ends off the board in this years draft.
Pluses:
• Athleticism
• Reads the ball well
• Size/Big hands
• Takes contact and can punish a defender
Concerns:
• Has a tendency to clap catch
• Average speed
