2023 NFL Draft: The Tight End Class

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

We have 6 prospects, both ESPN and CBS Sports have in their top 100.

1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame - 6'4, 265 pounds
2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah - 6'4, 240 pounds
3. Sam La Porta, Iowa - 6'4, 249 pounds
4. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State - 6'6, 250 pounds
5. Darnell Washington, Georgia - 6'7, 270 pounds
6. Tucker Kraft, South Dakota St - 6'5, 255 pounds

Mayer and Kincaid are your potential 1st rounders. The others are projected to go in round 2 or 3.

Just like the other positions I have posted on here, let me know of any other prospects you feel deserves attention.

 

[eaglesnut]

Always a top TE from Iowa

 

[Southieinnc]

We have 6 prospects, both ESPN and CBS Sports have in their top 100.

1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame - 6'4, 265 pounds
2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah - 6'4, 240 pounds
3. Sam La Porta, Iowa - 6'4, 249 pounds
4. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State - 6'6, 250 pounds
5. Darnell Washington, Georgia - 6'7, 270 pounds
6. Tucker Kraft, South Dakota St - 6'5, 255 pounds

Mayer and Kincaid are your potential 1st rounders. The others are projected to go in round 2 or 3.

Just like the other positions I have posted on here, let me know of any other prospects you feel deserves attention.

5. Darnell Washington, Georgia - 6'7, 270 pounds

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Normally I would start with Mayer, but I guess we start with Darnell Washington.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Mr. Kraft

 

[Southieinnc]

Mr. Kraft

Watched Gronk-like moves in receiving but suspect blocking?
Nice block in the back on 2 minute highlight.....

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Watched Gronk-like moves in receiving but suspect blocking?
Nice block in the back on 2 minute highlight.....

Kraft looks really good to me. He has the ability to make difficult catches and block. I think the criticism is he lacks the polish of the other five. I mean, would you really put him ahead of Washington?

 

[Southieinnc]

Kraft looks really good to me. He has the ability to make difficult catches and block. I think the criticism is he lacks the polish of the other five. I mean, would you really put him ahead of Washington?

Washington is my pick. Kraft looks serviceable as a receiver - maybe even very good.
I'm not real high on TE's who can't block.....

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Washington is my pick. Kraft looks serviceable as a receiver - maybe even very good.
I'm not real high on TE's who can't block.....

Tight ends are basically receivers who can block. We draft TEs in the first three rounds because they can either catch the ball extremely well or they can block extremely well. If you have excel at both, you can got yourself an all-star on your hands. Kraft looks like a reliable tight end. You can count on him on third down or in first and goal situations. However, his blocking abilities needs some work on the next level.

 

[Southieinnc]

Tight ends are basically receivers who can block. We draft TEs in the first three rounds because they can either catch the ball extremely well or they can block extremely well. If you have excel at both, you can got yourself an all-star on your hands. Kraft looks like a reliable tight end. You can count on him on third down or in first and goal situations. However, his blocking abilities needs some work on the next level.

Washington is a beast andhe can block and catch.
I really, really, really want the Patriots to get him in the 2nd round - if he falls to 46?
Or will we have to trade up to get him.....

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Washington is a beast andhe can block and catch.
I really, really, really want the Patriots to get him in the 2nd round - if he falls to 46?
Or will we have to trade up to get him.....

For the last three years, I have been doing these threads for a very good reason. The media only focuses on potential first rounder picks. They don't look at prospects outside of those ranges, unless they are a QB. NFL fans are lead to believe, if they are not a first round talent, they are not going to be a blue chip player. We know this is objectively false. I like to expand into the 2nd and 3rd round range, and then ask for sleeper suggestions. Tomorrow I am going to do Luke Musgrave.

 

[Clayton]

Kincaid is a big slot receiver. Watch his game against USC. Hard to know where he'll get drafted because this class is full of slot receivers but I personally expect him to be the first TE off the board.

Mayer seems more like a tweener TE than a do-all TE and I think thats going to really make his draft range difficult to figure out, too. I think some people are going to want to bulk him up and make him a blocking TE with clutch hands. Other teams might keep him at his combine weight (249) and use him as more of a receiver. He is in the Hunter Henry mold if he sticks with his combine weight. I do remember seeing Mayer make some really good cuts to get separation with his route running.

After that, its a bit like throwing darts at high end talents. Washington probably being the highest-end but there are a bunch of great athletes at TE in this draft and you just need to develop them.

 

[PDay8810]

Kincaid will work in Dallas.
His Back could be a concern.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Luke Musgrave (only played in 2 games in 2022 due to a knee injury, very limited experience)

 

[Mebert]

I think Darnell Washington is overrated. He is Martellus Bennett. I would not want to spend a second on primarily a blocker.

You can get Kuntz 3 rounds later and he is the better athlete and receiver.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Sam La Porta

 

[shopson67]

Nice block in the back on 2 minute highlight.....

Reminds me of the highlight reels for offensive linemen that are clearly holding, lol.

 

[Southieinnc]

I think Darnell Washington is overrated. He is Martellus Bennett. I would not want to spend a second on primarily a blocker.

You can get Kuntz 3 rounds later and he is the better athlete and receiver.

Darnell Washington's receiving skills are severely underated.
Go watch this catch at 2:15

 

[shopson67]

I think Darnell Washington is overrated. He is Martellus Bennett. I would not want to spend a second on primarily a blocker.

You can get Kuntz 3 rounds later and he is the better athlete and receiver.

Depends on what you want. Washington would be great for Buffalo as their #2 TE inline. 2nd round may be a little rich though...

 

[Southieinnc]

Depends on what you want. Washington would be great for Buffalo as their #2 TE inline. 2nd round may be a little rich though...

Washington would look great catching passes for NE and would improve O-line play dramatically......