TE RANKINGS 1.0 2024 NFL DRAFT

15. Mccallan Castles

Tennessee

6'5

252

2023 STATS:

22 REC    283 YDS    12.9 AVG 5 TD

PROS: 

• Blocker

• Seperation

• Soft hands

CONS:

• Drops

• YAC

• Press coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Castles is maybe the most barebones tight end I evaluated. Nothing against the guy, just not a ton jumps off the tape as a receiver. I think he could definitely be a solid back-up, as he can block efficently, and has good soft hands and gets enough seperation.

14. Trey Knox

South Carolina

6'5

237

2023 STATS:

37 REC    312 YDS    8.4 AVG 2 TD

PROS: 

• Speed

• Strong hands

• Stiff arm

• YAC

CONS:

• Limited route tree

• Breaking tackles

DAY 3 GRADE

Knox may be the fastest Tight End in the draft class, for what that's worth. I think he is an okay blocker, not bad not good, but I think his raw athleticism is really enticing, but I think he needs development still in receiving, even though that's his strong point. Still raw, but with the right development, he could be a problematic tight end to deal with for a defense.

13. AJ Barner

Michigan

6'6

251

2023 STATS:

22 REC    249 YDS    11.3 AVG 1 TD

PROS: 

• Acceleration

• Long arms

• Body control

CONS:

• Limited blocker

• Slow

DAY 3 GRADE

12. Brevyn Spann-Ford

Minnesota

6'7

270

2023 STATS:

25 REC    239 YDS    9.6 AVG 2 TD

PROS: 

• Size

• Soft hands

• Technique

CONS:

• Limited blocker

• Slow

• Seperation

DAY 3 GRADE

I grouped Spann-Ford and Barner together, because they are essentially the same type of prospect. Good sized tight-ends with good technique, soft hands, but both are limited by their size in the blocking game, and speed-wise, not great. They aren't as naturally gifted, that's why they are day 3 grades, but some teams will certainly want a 6'7 giant to line up for them.

11. Bryson Nesbit

North Carolina

6'5

235

2023 STATS:

41 REC    585 YDS    14.3 AVG 5 TD

PROS: 

• Creative runner

• Vision

• Seperation

CONS:

• Release

• Size & power

DAY 3 GRADE

Nesbit has some traits that are certainly not seen very often, as he is able to make plays after the catch almost every time he touches the ball. He sees the field as a runner and a receiver very well, however, he doesn't have the power to win very many contested catches, nor will he overpower someone blocking. His release needs some work, but with technique, and maybe some bulking, Nesbit has some real potential.

10. Tanner McLachlan

Arizona

6'5

245

2023 STATS:

45 REC    528 YDS    11.7 AVG 4 TD

PROS: 

• Balance

• Catch in traffic

• Long-armed

• Strong

CONS:

• Slow

• Bulk

• Limited route tree

DAY 3 GRADE

McLachlan has your basic traits in a tight end that are maybe different from some others, like his balance. He is able to go up, high-point a football, and then run with balance, which is the pinacle of the tight end position. I think he lacks good speed, and needs to learn more routes to be able to translate to the pros.

9. Erick All

Iowa

6'5

250

2023 STATS:

21 REC    299 YDS    14.2 AVG 3 TD

PROS: 

• Iowa TE

• Strong hands

• Smooth

CONS:

• Drops

• Slow

• Seperation

DAY 3 GRADE

Iowa has become a factory for tight ends, and Erick All will get drafted based off that alone likely. However, that doesn't mean he's the next Kittle or LaPorta, but I think he is the most smooth tight end in the class. He has some drop issues, is a bit slow when it comes to getting open and stretching the field. I'm not the biggest fan, but the last thing I am gonna do is underestimate an Iowa tight end.

8. Jared Wiley

TCU

6'7

264

2023 STATS:

47 REC    520 YDS    11.1 AVG 8 TD

PROS: 

• Blocker

• Playmaker

• Soft spots

• Vision

CONS:

• Slow

• Too high when blocking

DAY 3 GRADE

Wiley is a very big man, and he has a great ability to get open in zone coverage. An ability that Kelce is great at doing, and should be looked at to replicate. Wiley is also 6'7, and has good vision when he is a ballcarrier. Once again, I think his height could be his biggest weakness, as blocking becomes an issue, also getting hit could be dangerous moving forward.

7. Theo Johnson

Penn State

6'6

264

2023 STATS:

34 REC    341 YDS    10 AVG 7 TD

PROS: 

• Strong hands

• Quickness

• Explosive

• Size

CONS:

• Limited route tree

• Blocking

DAY 3 GRADE

Johnson is when these prospects begin to get a little exciting. As a reciever, there is a lot to like. good hands, gets off the line fast, quick cuts, and is probably bigger than a lot of guys. However, his blocking needs a bit of improvement, and he only ran so many different routes in college, and he's going to have to learn more routes. However, he is a great receiver, and I could see it translating well into the NFL.

6. Dallin Holker

Colorado State

6'5

235

2023 STATS:

64 REC    761 YDS    12 AVG 6 TD

PROS: 

• Redzone threat

• Finds soft spots

• Catch radius

• YAC

• Blocking

CONS:

• Explosiveness

• Speed

• Injuries

DAY 2 GRADE

Holker was a beast at Colorado State, putting up nuts numbers. He has several qualites that are extremely attractive, as his catch radius, ability to find soft spots, and is a weapon in the redzone. However, he doesn't get off the line very fast, nor is he, and has had a career of injuries. Combo that with playing at a smaller school, and there is reason for concern with Holker, but in this case the pros definitely outweigh the cons.

5. Jaheim Bell

Florida State University

6'3

239

2023 STATS:

39 REC    503 YDS    12.9 AVG 2 TD

PROS: 

• YAC

• Speed

• Agility

• Ball tracking

• Contact balance

CONS:

• Blocking

• Size

• Physicality

DAY 2 GRADE

Bell is almost a 6'3 running back when he has the ball, as he is a problem after the catch. He comes with it all, and then he is also a good receiver on top of that. He is smaller, and because of that he's not the greatest blocker, nor breaking tackles as his strong point.

4. Cade Stover

Ohio State

6'4

251

2023 STATS:

41 REC    576 YDS    14 AVG 5 TD

PROS: 

• Explosive

• YAC

• Agile

• Soft hands

• Redzone

CONS:

• Catch radius

• Speed

• Underdeveloped

DRAFT COMPARISON:

Dawson Knox

DAY 2 GRADE

For a former defensive end, Stover is really impressive as a tight end. He is a mean person when he has the ball, and he really shows promise as he is a good receiver, and is agile and a redzone threat. He is going to slot right into an offense with his experience, and his ability to learn quickly.

3. Ben Sinnott

K-State

6'4

245

2023 STATS:

49 REC    676 YDS    13.8 AVG 6 TD

PROS: 

• Takes multiple defenders to tackle

• High-pointing

• Run blocking

• Route running

CONS:

• Drops

• Speed

DRAFT COMPARISON:

A literal bowling ball

DAY 2 GRADE

Sinnot may not be a day 1 prospect, but he certainly has day 1 upside. When he has the ball in his hands, he is one of the hardest men in the draft to tackle, in 9/10 times it takes more than 1 guy to take him to the ground. Combo that with being one of the best blockers, and being a nice route runner, Sinnot could be a really nice piece in the NFL.

2. Ja'Tavion Sanders

Texas

6'4

243

2023 STATS:

45 REC    682 YDS    15.2 AVG 2 TD

PROS: 

• Catch radius

• Speed

• Athleticism

• Deep threat

• Hands

CONS:

• Route running

• Leaves feet too early

DRAFT COMPARISON:

Evan Engram

DAY 2 GRADE

Sanders is a very dynamic playmaker, and is a pure athlete at the tight end position. Solid blocker, plus the abilities he possess as a receiver before and after the catch are comparable to an NFL tight end. He has some minor issues in route running and leaving his feet to early for the ball, but very fixible issues for an elite tight end prospect.

1. Brock Bowers

Georgia

6'4

240

2023 STATS:

56 REC    714 YDS    12.8 AVG 6 TD

PROS: 

• Elite speed

• Playmaking

• Tackle-breaker

• Run blocker

• Strong hands

CONS:

• None

DRAFT COMPARISON:

George Kittle

DAY 1 GRADE

I mean, it's no question that Bowers is the number 1 tight end, but how good is he? He is likely a better prospect than Kyle Pitts, who was drafted number 4 overall. Pitts was elite, a unicorn, but that was due to him essentially being a WR playing the TE position, Bowers is a true TE prospect, and literally does everything well. This guy will likely instantly be a top 5 TE in the league the moment he is drafted.