Let’s be honest. We all know who the top tight end in this class is. The top tier of tight ends consists of one player, while tier two also consists of a single player. After that, several players offer intriguing attributes but lack any elite traits. Outside of the top two, it’s a matter of preference for NFL teams. Here are my NFL draft rankings for the tight end position.
NFL Draft Prospect Tight End Rankings
1. Brock Bowers (TE – Georgia)
The most unanimous top player at his position group, Brock Bowers is far and away the top prospect amongst tight ends. Often compared to George Kittle, Bowers has a slighter frame and isn’t quite the blocker Kittle is, particularly on the move, but the Georgia product can do it all. He is an adequate run blocker when lined up in line but excels as a route runner, pass-catcher, and playmaker. Although his measurables don’t jump off the page, his 98th percentile 40-time does at 4.48. Bowers beats man coverage with his acceleration off the line, combined with his top speed and route running ability. He is exceptional at finding soft spots in the zone. Perhaps his top trait, Bowers is a special player with the ball in his hands, evidenced by his 8.7 yards after catch and 18 missed tackles forced. Lining up in the slot 179 times last season to go with 224 inline and 42 out wide, Bowers truly is a chess piece that can be used across the entire formation to create mismatches. NFL play-callers will have fun utilizing his skill set.
2. Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE – Texas)
A former five-star recruit, Ja’Tavion Sanders has an opportunity to become one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the NFL after clearing 600 yards in each of his two collegiate seasons. His 16.2 yards per catch was second among tight ends with 50+ targets. Although he’s on the smaller size, Sanders is a capable run blocker and is more than capable of blocking on the move. He needs to add some weight and strength to excel in line as a blocker. His receiving game is what will attract NFL teams. He’s elite at getting up the seam for chunk gains up the middle due to his acceleration and straight-line speed. He also offers fluidity when changing directions. With strong hands, Sanders can catch the ball in traffic and is a tough runner with the ball in his hands. Finding the soft spot against zone defenses, Sanders can win against all coverages and can do it from the slot or in line. He should hear his name called early on day two.
3. Cade Stover (TE – Ohio State)
The most well-rounded of the ‘other’ tight ends in this class, Cade Stover will be coveted by NFL teams for his ability to do everything well. He may not possess the overall upside as a pass-catcher others on the list do, but Stover is a natural athlete who plays physically and has improved as a pass-catcher every year he’s played tight end. Originally a linebacker, Stover briefly became a defensive end before switching back to tight end, back to linebacker, and back to tight end again. Long story short, Stover is a ball player — a physical ball player who offers a high floor with his ability as a blocker and physical play style. As a relatively average athlete, Stover needs to win with crafty route running but he will run through defenders after the catch. His 14 yards per catch prove he’s enough of an athlete to get upfield and his 80% catch rate shows he has soft hands. Stover may not be as flashy of a pass-catcher as some other tight ends in this class but he has the skill set to be an every-down player in the NFL.
4. Erick All (TE – Iowa)
Following back surgery in 2022, Erick All suffered an ACL tear in October. His college career is marred with injuries and a dramatic transfer from Michigan to Iowa. When he’s on the field, though, All looks the part. One of the most fluid tight ends in the class, All is a terrific route runner with the speed to get downfield and the quickness to break off routes underneath. He’s played in just 10 games across the last two seasons, so there are many questions and risks. He needs to prove he has the play strength to win and sustain blocks in line. His strength at the catch point is also a concern. Pop on the tape, though, and tell me he’s not an impact player at the NFL level.
5. Ben Sinnott (TE – Kansas State)
If you know anything about Ben Sinnott, you’re likely aware he was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school. A walk-on at Kansas State, Sinnott made a name for himself by lining up all over the formation and doing a bit of everything. Another tight end who is slightly undersized, Sinnott is far from physically imposing but his 98th percentile vertical jump and 96th percentile three-cone prove he’s a plus-athlete for the position. He finished fourth among college tight ends in missed tackles forced with 14 and was sixth in deep catches with five. An explosive playmaker, Sinnott has major question marks as an in-line blocker. With question marks all over this group, I like Sinnott for his athleticism and ability to be utilized in many different fashions, giving him a chance to make an impact in the NFL.
6. Theo Johnson (TE – Penn State)
It’s easy to fall in love with the idea of Theo Johnson as an NFL superstar. He’s a plus-athlete with massive hands and a huge catch radius. He’s above the 90th percentile in height, broad jump, vertical, 40-yard dash, 10-yard split and hand size. He posted 325 yards. His seven receiving touchdowns tied for the second-most among college tight ends. So, what’s the problem? Outside of questions as a blocker, Johnson is robotic with his movements. He offers straight-line speed but cutting and changing direction is his nemesis. He is more than capable of being a red-zone threat at the NFL level and can make big catches up the seam. I have major doubts his movement will develop enough to be on the field consistently.
7. Jaheim Bell (TE – South Carolina)
I want to like Jaheim Bell more than I do. Unfortunately, Bell is a tweener who might have difficulties finding a role on offense. His path to the league may very well start with special teams. He’s capable of making plays in the right situation. He’s a consistent threat up the seam and is a good runner with the ball in his hands. He will likely need a specialty role for a team to make the most of his skill set as an undersized player who struggles to maintain blocks. Bell’s game compares to Jonnu Smith, who will often line up in the slot or the backfield and can be used in a multitude of ways but is always a weapon. He will struggle to play in line due to his size but has lined up all over the formation and is a good athlete. An NFL team will value his versatility.
8. Dallin Holker (TE – Brigham Young)
As a Colorado State alumnus, I watched my fair share of Dallin Holker this past season and was tempted to move him higher in my rankings. Holker has a knack for making difficult catches, particularly in traffic. After three seasons with minimal production at BYU, Holker broke out at CSU as a receiver, running out of the slot nearly twice as often as he lined up in line. After recording 288 receiving yards in 16 games through 2021 and 2022, Holker ripped off 766 yards in 2023 with the Rams. His lack of in-line snaps represents a question of whether Holker can hold up as a blocker in line, particularly given his size. His athleticism and play speed leave a bit to be desired but it’s enough to get him by with his savvy route running and ability to beat zone coverage. Still, it will be tough to make a mark without being a plus-athlete or an adequate blocker.
9. A.J. Barner (TE – Michigan)
A.J. Barner’s NFL future can best be described as an extension of the offensive line. Between Indiana and Michigan, Barner improved his game every step of the way. He’s a sound run blocker with good technique and has the upside to become an excellent blocker at the pro level. His pass protection needs improvement but the tools are there for teams to work with. He doesn’t offer much in the passing game, besides a big body for scrambling quarterbacks, but that’s not what he will be drafted for. Barner has a future in the league as a rotational blocking tight end and could develop into a starter for a run-heavy offense.
10. Trey Knox (TE – South Carolina)
Although we saw limited production from Trey Knox in five years of college football, he has the tools to become a solid pass-catcher at the NFL level. Knox spent four years at Arkansas before finishing his college career at South Carolina, posting 312 yards and two touchdowns in his final season. His 8.4 yards per catch and 109.4 QB rating when targeted speak to his strong hands and ability to make plays downfield. He offers straight-line speed and ball-tracking ability to go with his long frame. He’s not overly fluid after the catch and is on the slower side when changing directions. He is an adequate run blocker who could benefit from some added weight but the traits are present to become an NFL regular.
2024 NFL Mock Drafts
Here are a few early predictions for the 2024 NFL Draft. We’ll continue to add our 2024 NFL Mock Drafts leading up to the start of Round 1.
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Thor Nystrom (1.0 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Matthew Jones (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Erickson (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Kent Weyrauch (1.0 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Derek Brown (1.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Russell Brown (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: PJ Moran (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: Mike Fanelli (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: Marco Enriquez (1.0 | 2.0)
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: Dennis Sosic
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Two-Round Writer Collaborative
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Picks & Predictions
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Top 20 Picks & Predictions
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks & Predictions
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Early Picks & Predictions
- Early 2024 NFL Mock Draft with Trades: Picks & Predictions
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