NFL Draft 2024- Top 10 Tight Ends

The 2024 draft is encroaching quickly and in the last several drafts, the tight end position has helped bolster team offenses in ways not seen before. Even though in last year's draft, only one tight end was selected in the first round (Dalton Kincaid by the Buffalo Bills at #25), there were 5 other tight ends taken in the second round, many of whom made an immediate impact for their team. The Detroit Lions selected Sam Laporta in the middle of round two and he became an immediate weapon for the team as they fell only three points away from reaching the Superbowl. Last year’s class wasn’t star laden but there were still 15 tight ends selected.

Complete list of every RB pick from the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 1, Pick 25: Dalton Kincaid, Utah

Round 2, Pick 34: Sam LaPorta, Iowa

Round 2, Pick 35: Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Round 2, Pick 42: Luke Musgrave, Oregon State

Round 2, Pick 58: Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan

Round 2, Pick 61: Brenton Strange, Penn State

Round 3, Pick 78: Tucker Kraft, South Dakota Stats

Round 3, Pick 93: Darnell Washington, Georgia

Round 3, Pick 101: Cameron Latu, Alabama

Round 5, Pick 147: Josh Whyle, Cincinnati

Round 5, Pick 162: Will Mallory, Miami,Fla

Round 5, Pick 171: Payne Durham, Purdue

Round 5, Pick 175: Davis Allen, Clemson

Round 7, Pick 220: Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion

Round 7, Pick 247: Brayden Willis, Oklahoma

Prospect Brock Bowers out of Georgia is easily the superstar of this draft class. He is the most talented tight end to come out in some time and can change a game in a heartbeat. Bowers will go as high as 5th in this draft but there are other talented pass catching tight ends to choose from in the later rounds. 

1. Georgia- TE- Brock Bowers (6’4” 240 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Route running
• Athleticism
• Yards after catch

Weaknesses

• Press coverage
• Run blocking
• Drop issues

Bowers is an elite pass catching tight end that can be lined up all over the formation, including the backfield. He ran an impressive 4.53 during his Pro Day at Georgia and will put an extreme amount of pressure on a defense. He is going to be a matchup nightmare week in and week out and will be off the board by mid-first round.

Projection- 1st round pick

 2. Texas- TE- Ja’Tavion Sanders (6’4” 249 lbs)

Strengths

• Soft hands
• Precise routes
• Red zone

Weaknesses

• Foot speed (4.69)
• Run blocking
• Pass blocking
• Energy level

Ja’Tavion Sanders can be a quality possession tight end in the NFL. He excels in the red zone and does an effective job of shielding opponents away from the ball. He lacks the footspeed to put consistent stress on defenses.

Projection- 2nd round

3. Ohio State- TE- Cade Stover (6’4” 255 lbs)

Strengths

• Athleticism
• Blocking
• Contested catches
• Breaking tackles

Weaknesses

• Route running
• Footwork
• Press Coverage
• Drop issues

Cade Stover is one of the best blocking tight ends in this class and should make a nice addition to a team looking for 2nd or 3rd tight end. He will not overwhelm with his route running, but is a steady, dependable receiver and will help move the chains.

Projection- 2nd or 3rd round

4. Penn State- TE- Theo Johnson (6’6” 264 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Versatility
• Ball security
• Yards after catch

Weaknesses

• Route running
• Strength
• Tweener
• Pass blocking

Theo Johnson is a fluid runner who has sneaky speed for a taller player. He ran a 4.57 at the combine and can use his frame to punish defenders trying to bring him down. He can line up out wide but lacks the strength to be a consistent blocker on the line. He is considered by some a “tweener”.

Projection- 3rd round

5. Kansas State- TE- Ben Sinnott (6’4” 245 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Route running
• Blocking

Weaknesses

• Zone coverage
• Press coverage
• Drop issues

Ben Sinnott is explosive off the ball and excels at beating man-to-man coverage. He is an excellent blocker and can be a 3-down tight end. He struggles with where he needs to be in zone coverage and he has been prone to drops from time to time.

Projection- 3rd or 4th round

6. TCU- TE- Jared Wiley (6’7” 260 lbs)

Strengths

• Zone coverage
• Blocking
• Yards after catch

Weaknesses

• Speed
• Man Coverage
• Footwork

Jared Wiley has the tools to be an effective blocker and a tight end who knows how to get open in zone coverage. He struggles with his footwork and lacks the cutting ability to be effective against man coverage. A nice mid-round pick.

Projection- 4th round

7- Iowa- TE- Erick All (6’5” 250lbs)

Strengths

• Route running
• Versatility
• Run blocking

Weaknesses

• Speed
• Zone coverage
• Separation ability

Erick All is a versatile tight end who can line up anywhere in the formation. He is explosive out of his stance and runs routes really well. He does not have speed to put pressure on the back end of the defense but can add a lot to a team’s tight end room.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

8- Arizona- TE- Tanner McLachlan (6’5” 245 lbs)

Strengths

• Use of hands
• Contested catches
• Speed
• Yards after catch

Weaknesses

• Length
• Body control
• Hand placement

Tanner McLachlan is a 6’5” tight end who can still add to his frame. He has soft hands and does a good job of winning one-on-one battles against defensive backs. He has shorter length than what you’d expect from a 6’5” body. A nice selection in the mid-rounds.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

9. Michigan- TE- A.J. Barner (6’6” 250 lbs)

Strengths

• Size
• Ball tracking
• Straight line speed
• Catch radius

Weaknesses

• Route running
• Zone coverage
• Catches with body

A.J. Barner is a solid all-around tight end who will add some pass catching qualities to a team. He has improved as a run blocker over the past season at Michigan but still needs to work on using his hands instead of letting the ball come into his body.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

10. Florida State- TE- Jaheim Bell (6’3” 232 lbs)

Strengths

• Versatility
• Burst
• Catch radius
• Yards after catch

Weaknesses

• Strength
• Blocking
• Drop issues

Jaheim Bell is a definite “tweener” who is listed on some mocks as a tight end and others as an H-Back. He's versatile but his lack of blocking skills will keep him from being on the field more than a down or two. He could be a weapon if used correctly.

Projection- 4th or 5th round