Tight end is typically one of the most difficult positions for players to transition from college to the NFL. From the increased receiving responsibilities to the different hashes and line splits, to the bigger/stronger defenders they’re required to block, it’s often a slow burn for even the top tight ends.
The draft class of 2023 has been a little different. Four rookie TEs, all drafted in a cluster between No. 25 and 42 overall, are off to flying starts in the NFL.
Sam LaPorta, Lions
LaPorta is off to the most prolific start to a career of any tight end in NFL history. He has 47 receptions for 474 yards and four TDs in Detroit’s first nine games. The consistency at which LaPorta, from Iowa, is producing is the truly historical part. LaPorta has caught at least four passes in all but one game, and has topped 35 receiving yards in all nine; no other TE has ever done either of those before.
The No. 34 overall pick is also in the top 20 in tight end run-blocking grades from PFF, including the highest mark among rookie TEs.
Dalton Kincaid, Bills
Kincaid was the first tight end selected, and the Bills have to be happy with the No. 25 overall pick. Kincaid has caught 45 passes for 390 yards and two TDs, including a score in Buffalo’s Week 10 loss to Denver. In the last four games, he’s caught at least five passes for 51 yards.
What really jumps out about Kincaid is his reliability. The Utah product has caught 45 of the 51 passes thrown his way. He’s quickly become QB Josh Allen’s preferred target in the intermediate route range. While he’s not asked to block a lot, Kincaid has proven quite capable at engaging in space, too.
Michael Mayer, Raiders
Mayer had one of the best highlight-reel touchdowns of Week 10 with his leaping catch over Jets safety Jordan Whitehead. It was Mayer’s first career touchdown and continues his uptick in usage.
After a slow first month, Mayer is quickly adapting to life in the NFL. The No. 35 overall pick has caught 13 passes on 17 targets in the Raiders’ last five games. His snap count keeps growing, from being a part-time player early on to rarely leaving the field anymore. Mayer’s blocking is also looking good; he’s not allowed a single QB pressure in 33 inline pass protection reps.
Luke Musgrave, Packers
Musgrave has been all over the map in his first nine games, but inconsistent QB play is no small part of that. When he’s been in sync with QB Jordan Love, Musgrave has looked like a dynamic weapon already.
The No. 42 overall pick has 29 catches on 39 targets, netting 313 yards and a touchdown. Musgrave has shown better hands than he did at Oregon State, dropping just one pass thus far. His run blocking has also impressed, notably from the slot–a task he wasn’t asked to perform much in college.
