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Other than safety, tight end is the least likely position to see drafted in the first round – only seven in the past five drafts – and 2022 should be no exception.
But when you consider where all of today’s greats were found – Rob Gronkowski (42nd), Travis Kelce (63rd), George Kittle (146th), Zach Ertz (35th) – it just means you have to dig a little deeper and have your board stacked right for Day 2.
While there are some interesting prospects this year, it is a particularly underwhelming class, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see none go before the third round.
DAY 2 PROSPECTS
1. Trey McBride, Colorado St. (6-3½, 246, senior)
A true Y tight end, McBride is not big by NFL standards, but he’s a willing and effective blocker who caught 164 passes for 2,200 yards in 3½ seasons, culminating in the Mackey Award as the best tight end in college football last season. He’s not a seam splitter or big home-run threat but is effective in the middle zones. Biggest question mark is his red-zone skills with only 10 touchdowns on those 164 receptions.
2. Cade Otton, Washington (6-5, 247, redshirt senior)
[ NFL draft deep dive: Who is Washington TE Cade Otton? ]
Otton is another Y who can play in-line or slide out in the slot and is an exciting receiver with plenty of upside as a blocker, which he did do a fair amount of at Washington. He’s a coach’s son, which is usually a plus. He may need to add another 5 to 10 pounds of muscle, but he has all the tools, and his ceiling is high.
3. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio St. (6-5½, 252, senior)
This kid is a Y with limited potential as a receiver even though he was used more as a U than a Y at Ohio State, but he has the potential to be a ferocious in-line blocker and effective on third-and-short and third-and-medium throws. Nice speed for his size and dependable catching the ball, just not a special athlete.
4. Greg Dulcich, UCLA (6-4, 243, redshirt junior)
Dulcich is the best of our true U tight ends this year. He may never give you a ton as a blocker, although he is willing, but could be an important part of the passing game. He’s a former walk-on at UCLA as a 210-pound teenager who added 35 pounds and became a big-play receiver, averaging 17.7 yards a reception over three seasons.
5. Charlie Kolar, Iowa St. (6-6½, 252, redshirt senior)
Kolar is a project with excellent size and a huge catch radius who was productive in the passing game at Iowa State, but he needs some work as a blocker. Could easily add another 10 pounds and looks to have Jimmy Graham-type potential as a matchup nightmare for defenses.
6. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M (6-3¾, 255, junior)
This kid is a polarizing prospect. Some scouts love Wydermyer, but he’s leaving others with doubts. He was ready for prime time as a freshman but never really emerged as a special player at A&M. He has some exciting skills as a receiver but will need to be challenged, coached and pushed to reach his ceiling.
7. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina (6-4½, 245, senior)
Likely has some special traits as a receiver but may be limited as a blocker, projecting him as complementary move tight end. But he’s one with big-play ability who could develop into a quality pass catcher. He’s a high-character kid who’ll need work in the weight room.
DAY 3 PROSPECTS
8. Jelani Woods, Virginia (6-7, 253, redshirt senior) – 4.61 40
9. Daniel Bellinger, San Diego St. (6-4¾, 253, senior) – 4.63 40
10. James Mitchell, Virginia Tech (6-4, 249, senior) – 4.76 40 Est.*
11. Teagan Quitoriano, Oregon St. (6-5½, 256, senior) – 4.85 Est.*
12. Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin (6-4¾, 250, redshirt senior) – 4.81 40
13. Chase Allen, Iowa St. (6-6, 251, redshirt senior) – 4.70 Est.*
* – Prospect did not run 40-yard dash at NFL combine and 40 time listed is estimated by handheld watch at Pro Day.
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