The Tennessee Titans added to their tight ends room during the 2023 NFL draft when they selected Josh Whyle out of Cincinnati in the fifth round.
Whyle, who is a plus pass-catcher and improving blocker, figures to slot in behind Chigoziem Okonkwo and Trevon Wesco on the depth chart to start.
Whyle could conceivably work his way up to No. 2 in his first year, but that will likely be determined by how well he shows out as a blocker.
When asked what he was better at, Whyle pointed to his abilities as a pass-catcher (he transitioned from receiver to tight end in high school) but noted he’s improved in the other aspect of his game.
“I think naturally pass-catcher just because I grew up a wide receiver,” he said. “I transitioned to wide receiver halfway through high school. Especially this last year of college, I think I really improved inside the box blocking, technique and foot work. So, if that answers your question, definitely pass blocking, but I have improved a lot.”
So, how did draft experts view Whyle when it comes to his blocking and pass-catching? Find out now as we take a tour of scouting reports about Tennessee’s newest tight end.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Brugler’s positional rank: 11
STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with a tapered waist and projectable frame … gliding mover with above-average speed … reads his triangle (WILL, corner, safety) well to uncover on option routes … loose-hipped with the body control to extend and adjust to throws outside his body … his catch radius gives him an advantage on endzone fades … willing blocker and showed improved control as a senior compared to his underclassman tape, especially as a stalk blocker … doesn’t have great sustain but will throw his weight into linebackers and slow them down … his senior season was the first time he maintained his weight at 250-plus pounds … his coaches say he went from an immature kid who needed direction to an accountable senior captain who grew up each year on campus … his 15 career touchdowns is the most by a tight end at Cincinnati.
WEAKNESSES: Shorter arms than expected for a player his size … solid hands, but his tracking focus comes and goes, especially on the move (drags, crossers, etc.) …his over-the-shoulder skills on fades are unpredictable … inconsistent finisher in traffic and struggles to match the physicality of linebackers and safeties … upright route runner and needs to improve his stem footwork and balance to better explode out of breaks … doesn’t break tackles … fits his blocks, but his technique falls apart when attempting to sustain … injuries have been an issue for him: suffered a fractured collarbone during fall practice (August 2018) in his first season, requiring surgery and forcing him to redshirt; missed most of the 2019 season with several nagging injuries, including an ankle issue; suffered a Lisfranc injury to his left foot in the final minutes of the Cotton Bowl loss to Alabama (December 2021) … mediocre production, and his best numbers came in 2020.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Cincinnati, Whyle was an F tight end (mostly boundary) and part of a rotation in former offensive coordinator Gino Guidugli’s spread RPO offense. A Cincinnati native, he passed on SEC and Big Ten offers to play for the Bearcats, although he wasn’t a focal point in the offense and never reached 400 receiving yards in a season. After playing at 230 pounds as an underclassman, Whyle sustained 250-plus pounds as a senior, and the improved play strength and toughness showed in his blocking. Though he has outstanding speed and body control for his size, he doesn’t break tackles and his ball skills as a receiver are inconsistent (only 62.7 percent of his targets in 2022 resulted in a reception). Overall, Whyle has the triangle numbers (height/weight/speed) and blocking upside that NFL teams look for, but he doesn’t consistently play up to his testing numbers and his receiving tape leaves much to be desired. With improved catchpoint skills, he has the traits to be a rosterable Y tight end in the NFL.
GRADE: 5th Round
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Overview
Smooth, athletic pass-catcher with the competitiveness to battle for playing time in the league. Whyle is an average route runner who is forced to tap the brakes when facing physical coverage, but he has the tools to uncover as a pro. He possesses the jump-ball prowess to mismatch defensive backs near the goal line and can be a nice safety blanket on pitch-and-catch throws underneath. He needs to keep adding play strength to match the rigors of the position and is better suited as a move blocker than tenacious in-line blocker near the line of scrimmage. Whyle appears to be a middle-round prospect for teams seeking an F tight end or H-back with starting upside.
Strengths
Changes gears to separate on route turns.
Steps on top of safety before breaking off post routes.
Loose upper and lower body allows for easy ball adjustments.
Recognizes lurking zone defenders and sinks into safe spaces for QB.
Excellent timing as high-point pass-catcher.
Unafraid to charge in and stick his nose into blocks.
Fits into lead blocks with proper angles to open a crease.
Good use of length and athleticism as blocker on the move.
Weaknesses
Long but somewhat spindly in his lower half.
Acceleration into his route is non-threatening to defenders.
Slowed by redirection and press.
Routes can become loose and unfocused at times.
Below average success rate hauling in contested catches.
Will struggle to find proper leverage as run blocker.
Power ends can have success knocking him off his base.
Joe Marino, The Draft Network
Top Reasons to Buy In:
Size
Receiving profile
Versatility
Top Reasons For Concern:
Still developing as a blocker
What does he truly offer down the field and with yards after catch?
High-cut frame presents challenges as a route runner, blocker, and ball carrier
Ideal Role: Versatile tight end
TDN Consensus Grade: 72.00/100 (Fourth-Round Value)
Jason Katz, Pro Football Network
Strengths: Athletic pass-catching tight end who plays with good knee bend, blocks with solid fundamentals, and displays terrific vision. Stays square and seals defenders from the action blocking. Agile, easily adjusts to the errant throw, and extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame. Natural pass catcher with soft hands. Possesses solid playing speed and sneaks his way downfield. Tall and easy for the quarterback to locate.
Weaknesses: Slows into blocks, which hurts his ability to finish off defenders. Doesn’t get much movement run blocking. Struggled with foot injuries in the past.
Overall: Whyle bypassed the 2022 draft when he would’ve been a Day 2 selection and returned to somewhat disappointing results. He’s a tall pass-catching TE and a reliable target, but he must improve his blocking strength to be a three-down player at the position.
Derrik Klassen, Bleacher Report
POSITIVES
— Above-average speed. Can be a horizontal field-stretcher.
— Good quickness for his size.
— Above-average route running and change of direction. Quick feet and smooth hips.
— Good ball skills. Finds the ball outside his frame reliably.
— Smart and high-energy blocker.
NEGATIVES
— Play strength can be underwhelming. Not going to box people out in the red zone.
— Below-average blocking strength. Great willingness and technique, but bigger, stronger defenders can crush him.
— Average YAC skills. Doesn’t do much as a ball-carrier that pops.
GRADE: 6.6 (Potential Role Player/Round 4)
OVERALL RANK: 128
POSITION RANK: TE8
PRO COMPARISON: Austin Hooper
The 33rd Team
Josh Whyle is a tall, athletic tight end who aligns throughout the formation. He is a reliable receiving option who provides solid in-line blocking and toughness. Has some stiffness in his hips which shows in his average change-of-direction skills.
The NFL Draft Bible, Sports Illustrated
Whyle has a very tall and well-rounded frame that makes him a consistent candidate to be a mismatch against most cornerbacks he faced. He is a very physical blocker who is built enough to make an impact in that area of the game. Has the versatility to play in-line and in the slot. Shows flashes as a receiver to be a consistent target for his team. Can win through his route with size and physicality. He is still a very raw prospect because of limited play time working in with the other tight ends for the Bearcats. Ankles are pretty stiff, which is something expected of someone his size, so he struggles to get consistent separation in his routes. Not the fastest guy who will push the field as a tight end, he should stick to the middle of the field. Josh Whyle has the size and build to develop into an NFL tight end. He has had limited snaps so far in his career for Cincinnati, so his development will be intriguing to see as he works into a more solidified starting role at tight end. He has shown flashes of having all of the tools needed to become an NFL-caliber tight end.
Grades
4th Round
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