Welcome to draft season! This is the third of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30). Here are my top 10 tight ends:
— 1. Trey McBride (Sr., Colorado State, 6-foot-3, 246 pounds)
Everyone knew the ball was coming his way, and McBride still dominated. The 2021 Mackey Award winner was the first FBS tight end to surpass 1,100 receiving yards since Texas Tech's Jace Amaro in 2013. The two-time team captain has excellent hands (only six career drops) while also providing value as a blocker and on special teams. Projected: Round 2
— 2. Greg Dulcich (Jr., UCLA, 6-4, 243)
From no-star recruit and preferred walk-on to first team All-Pac 12, Dulcich developed into one of the best all-around athletes at the position in this draft class. He's a proven big-play threat with six catches of 30-plus yards in 2021 and three touchdown receptions of 50-plus yards the last two seasons. The effort is there as a blocker, but the functional strength is underdeveloped. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 3. Charlie Kolar (Sr., Iowa State, 6-6, 252)
Kolar's height and leaping ability make him an obvious red zone, 50/50-ball target. The only three-time All-American in Cyclones history won the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman) and he holds every tight end record in school history. My only real criticism is his blocking leaves a lot to be desired. Projected: Rounds 2-4
— 4. Jelani Woods (Sr., Virginia, 6-7, 253)
Woods was rated a top-25 quarterback prospect in the 2017 recruiting class before switching positions. He tested through the roof athletically during the draft process, but he regressed as a blocker in 2021 despite his elite size and physical traits. He's still really raw, but he took a big step forward during his only season in Charlottesville — eight touchdowns in 11 games. Projected: Rounds 2-4
— 5. Jeremy Ruckert (Jr., Ohio State, 6-5, 252)
Ruckert made plays when his number was called, but the athletic tight end was seriously underutilized in Columbus — only saw 73 targets in four seasons. However, he's a bulldozer as a blocker in the run game and has advanced ball skills thanks to his background as a soccer goalie that could make him a legit red zone threat at the next level. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 6. Isaiah Likely (Sr., Coastal Carolina, 6-4, 245)
Likely's 1,513 receiving yards since 2020 are the most by a tight end in college football. The under-recruited former wide receiver had five touchdowns of at least 50 yards during his collegiate career. Projected: Rounds 3-5
— 7. Cade Otton (Sr., Washington, 6-5, 247)
Otton was underutilized as a pass catcher as a four-year starter despite being a disciplined route runner with excellent hands. He's an exceptional run blocker, especially on the move. Projected: Round 3
— 8. Jake Ferguson (Sr., Wisconsin, 6-4, 250)
Ferguson is a well-rounded prospect who can contribute as a blocker and receiver — he produced at least 30 receptions in all four seasons in Madison. Projected: Rounds 3-5
— 9. Daniel Bellinger (Sr., San Diego State, 6-4, 253)
The lack of production was more about the Aztecs' run-heavy scheme than Bellinger. He features steady hands (zero drops as a senior), above average athleticism and natural ball skills on top of being an effective blocker in both the run and pass game. Projected: Rounds 4-6
— 10. Cole Turner (Sr., Nevada, 6-6, 249)
Turner is a converted wide receiver who ranked top five in the nation among tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. He's limited as a blocker, and likely always will be due to his lean frame. Projected: Rounds 5-7
— BONUS. Jalen Wydermyer (Jr., Texas A&M, 6-3, 255)
Wydermyer was a productive three-year starter in College Station and needed only three years to become the school's all-time leader in receptions (118), receiving yards (1,468) and receiving touchdowns (16) among tight ends. He has showcased jump-ball talent and YAC potential, but he requires maturation as a blocker and it will be hard for teams to get past the catastrophe that was his pro day. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— BONUS. Derrick Deese Jr. (Sr., San Jose State, 6-3, 244)
Deese has impressive ball skills — he averaged 15.5 yards per reception in 2021 — and functional athleticism, while performing adequately as a blocker despite being undersized. The NFL pedigree doesn't hurt — his father was an offensive lineman who played 14 seasons with the 49ers and Buccaneers. Projected: Round 7/PFA
