Best of the Best: Top 5 Tight Ends
Both Ranking and Breaking down the best five players from the tight end draft class.
After taking a brief intermission to get things under control, I will continue to breaking down some players that catch my eye, and write some breakdowns on them. But now, I decided to not only break them down, but rank them.
The tight end class in this draft is so freaking good. If your team needs that receiving option, you will find it in this draft. And you better jump on it soon otherwise, you will miss on some premiere talent. And the top 5 is honestly really great.
Each of these five players are perhaps the best at their individual skill level. There is something for someone that could use a starting TE and could fit the offense they run. Which is why not only will I break down their strengths and weaknesses, but I will also add a good team projection. Based on what said teams like and want a player like that.
No. 5: Sam LaPorta - Iowa - 6’4”, 249lbs - Senior
Hailing from one of the TEU Schools, Sam LaPorta will carry some lofty expectations to being yet another stout TE from Iowa, alongside the likes of 49ers TE George Kittle and Minnesota TE TJ Hockenson. LaPorta is a good tight end. He does carry some similarities to Kittle that could get him to perform somewhat similar numbers in the NFL. LaPorta did record over 110 catches, 1300 yards receiving and 4TDs in his last two years.
Strengths:
One of the best after the catch. Broke TJ Hockenson’s BIG 10 record for most broken tackles by a TE in 2022 with 10.
Great route runner. Both when lined up by a lineman and out wide.
Shows good speed and agility. Isn’t the fastest but is no slouch. Solid burst as well.
Reliable pass catcher. Can see a lot of third down usage.
Shows great effort and competitiveness in his blocking.
Good Football IQ and very athletic
Weaknesses:
Could do a better job at sustaining blocks. Can release too quickly and letting his matchup end a play sooner.
Questions of him being dominant in contested catch situations.
Small sample sizes of his tape. But does flash well.
Draft Projection:
Late 2nd to Mid 3rd.
Best Team:
Los Angeles Chargers
Bit a reach you can argue, however, he does do what they want him to do. He is fairly strong and can be used to pick up firsts fairly well. Chargers could use a man of his skillset to further open-up an offense, and new OC Kellen Moore can utilize him similarly to Dalton Schultz from Dallas.
Highlights:
No. 4: Luke Musgrave - Oregon St. - 6’6”, 250lb - Junior
Perhaps the most athletic and certainly the fastest tight end, Luke Musgrave has built up a great deal of hype going into the draft. If you followed the Senior Bowl around late January/Early February, you would have seen a bunch of tweets praising Musgrave’s work during the practices. He displayed his athleticism and got some talking heads to consider him as a potential first round pick, but I wouldn’t just yet.
Strengths:
Very quick and fast. Many project him to have the fastest 40 among all TEs. At the Senior Bowl, they clocked him running at 20.05 MPH.
Great length and overall athleticism. Hands measured at 10 1/2 inches, and has an 80” wingspan.
Has great potential to be a top tier threat down the seems and in the redzone.
Has flashed in contested catching situations.
Reliable catching the ball
Retained his speed after suffering a knee injury that had him miss all but two games in 2022.
Good upside as a red zone threat.
Weaknesses:
Very limited production. Mixture of parts being weird offense, covid 2020, and getting hurt in 2022.
Only started 13 games.
Route running is fine though could use some polish.
Play strength is a bit concerning.
Separation is more concerning than one should hope. Given his speed.
Good effort on run blocking but can still use work. Though might not be a run blocker first.
Draft Projection:
mid Second Round
Best Team Fit:
New Orleans Saints
They do have a TE currently in Juwan Johnson, but you can never look to upgrade at any position. And he does improve some deficiencies they have on their offense. Saints struggled in the red zone, and they need someone that can attack the seams. Something they have lacked since Coby Fleener left after 2017. Musgrave can be a nice one-year project player they can unleash when they have their guy at QB. He should be up there with the receiving threat TEs by year 3.
Highlights:
No. 3: Darnell Washington - Georgia - 6’7”, 270lb - Junior
Georgia really had a good double duo with their tight ends. The man who stole the show was Brock Bower, who will likely be the guy to watch going into the 2024 Draft, but Darnell Washington was another that people liked to watch. He is a massive man that was imposing in their ground game and shows glimpses of his athleticism. He was overshadowed in that Georgia offense, but he is getting hype with how imposing he looks.
Strengths:
Imposing run blocker. Uses that big frame to really move bodies. Often confused as a tackle.
Does well in pass blocking situations.
Massive man with a good radius for catching.
High potential for short yardage and red zone opportunities.
Does well in contested catching situations.
Has shown to have reliable hands, even with limited work in the passing offense.
Weaknesses:
More blocker than pass catcher.
Looks labored coming out of his breaks.
Doesn’t possess the necessary speed to attack the seem or warrant safety help.
Brock Bowers was more of the receiving threat. Washington was more of a blocker and his production sheet showed.
Doesn’t really show separation. More favored to have contested catching situations which does work to his advantage.
No real burst or acceleration to be threatening as a route runner.
Draft Projection:
Late First
Best Team Fit:
Green Bay Packers
Darnell really fits with what the Packers and perhaps the Tennessee Titans like from their TEs. They love blockers and guys on short yardage situations. Debate all you want with the Titans, but Packers are a great fit for him. They love have blockers that can catch. They have tried primary pass catching TEs in the past and it has mostly failed. Their best was Martellus Bennett, but you look at them using Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook and a few others and it hasn’t worked. They love using blockers who can just run short yard routes and be red zone threats. His best chance to succeed.
Highlights:
No. 2: Dalton Kincaid - Utah - 6’4”, 240lb - Senior
Now we get to honestly one of my favorite players in this group and class altogether. Dalton Kincaid is perhaps the best receiving option in this class. Watching his tape is a treat. He makes highlight plays and just overall good plays. Him and QB Cam Rising really got a good thing going in the two years he was a starter. Despite starting football at 17, he has a great talent. He recorded 11 TDs in his freshman year at San Diego St., then over 800 yards receiving and 8TDs in his second, transferred to Utah in 2020. And replicated his success well. 2021 had 510 yards and 8TDs, while in 2022, 70 catches, 890yds, 8TDs.
Strengths:
Dynamic receiving threat.
Great hands, will catch everything thrown at him.
Shown great body control when catching the ball.
Very talented route runner. Has his favorites but can really run all of the routes.
Used very well and should translate well very quickly.
Has good speed and acceleration to run seem routes.
Good catch radius allowing for good catching in traffic.
Go watch him in the first 2022 matchup against USC.
Has some good bursts when lining up as a slot.
Weaknesses:
Not an impactful blocker.
Could get a little stronger
Wish he was a little taller and bigger.
Draft Projection:
Mid to Late First
Best Team Fit:
Kansas City Chiefs
This isn’t about how the Chiefs should draft him, but this is more about how they are a good fit for Kincaid. Watching how the Chiefs use Travis Kelce is something and they can do similar things with Kincaid. He is athletic enough to do a lot of the same things and he is gifted enough to overcome his limited football experience. Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants can use a man of his talents, but him landing on a team like the Chiefs would be fun and unfair.
Highlights:
No. 1: Michael Mayer - Notre Dame - 6’4”, 265lb - Junior
Now to the cream of the crop. The Best of the Best. From Another TEU, Michael Mayer from Notre Dame. Mayer was called from the moment he stepped onto the field as “baby Gronk”. Mayer has been a force for Notre Dame and their three QBs. Did fine in 2020, recording 42 catches, 450yds and 2TDs. Stepped up in 2021 with 71 catches, 840 yards, and 7TDs. And in 2022, 67 catches, 809 yards and 9 TDs. Mayer is perhaps the most well-rounded and all-around tight end on this board. Which is why He is my No. 1.
Strengths:
Excellent frame.
Good run blocker. Able to be a good impact in the run game.
Great pass catcher.
Good functional strength to not only beat press, but also out muscle defenders to fight in traffic.
Very good route runner.
A beast in the middle of the field.
Good initial burst and quickness off the line.
Nose for the endzone, should be a high-end red zone threat.
Should do well in third and medium situations. Expect a high 3rd down conversion rate.
Good strength to fight off tackles and get good YAC yardage.
Real high-end, blue-chip talent.
Weaknesses:
Doesn’t possess the long speed to break free. Limits his ceiling a bit too.
DBs can catch up to him. Possession receiver.
Draft Projection:
Mid First
Best Team Fit:
Detroit Lions
This both fills a need and he fits their offense well. Lions shipped TJ Hockenson off to Minnesota, but if you look how Hockenson was used and how Mayer was used in Notre Dame, there is good indication that he can find success early and consistently. I don’t really see a Rob Gronkowski from Mayer, but definitely a Jason Witten clone. He can fit with a majority of teams, but Detroit can probably get the best from him. That all-around talent from Mayer should be fun for all.
Highlights:
And that concludes my Top 5 Tight Ends of the 2023 NFL Draft. There are some others but these are really the best of the best imo. I do not know if all of them will pan out but here is hoping.