The 2023 NFL Combine is here. This is a prime opportunity for prospects to impress NFL coaches and execs ahead of the draft in April. Tight ends will be paired up with the quarterbacks and wide receivers on Saturday, March 4. We haven't seen multiple tight ends taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2019, but could this year.
The leading tight end on draft boards is Michael Mayer from Notre Dame. He spent three years with the Fighting Irish and played in 36 career games. Mayer had 180 receptions for 2,099 yards with 18 touchdowns in his career.
While it feels like Mayer is in a tier by himself, that doesn't mean there aren't other top talents in the position. The second tier sees Utah's Dalton Kincaid, Georgia's Darnell Washington, Oregon State's Luke Musgrave and Iowa's Sam LaPorta. Kincaid could be taken toward the latter part of the first round, while the others could hear their names called in the second round.
The third tier of tight ends consists of Cameron Latu, Lule Schoonmaker, Tucker Kraft and Josh Whyle. All of these tight ends should be able to slot in as depth pieces on NFL rosters that can use a bit of professional development. The rest of the tight ends could use solid combine performances to move up draft boards but likely will be practice squad members for their rookie year if they crack a roster.
Pos Rk | Player | Pos | School | Overall Rk |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pos Rk | Player | Pos | School | Overall Rk |
1 | Michael Mayer | TE | Notre Dame | 11 |
2 | Dalton Kincaid | TE | Utah | 32 |
3 | Darnell Washington | TE | Georgia | 47 |
4 | Luke Musgrave | TE | Oregon State | 53 |
5 | Sam LaPorta | TE | Iowa | 58 |
6 | Tucker Kraft | TE | South Dakota State | 60 |
7 | Cameron Latu | TE | Alabama | 86 |
8 | Luke Schoonmaker | TE | Michigan | 92 |
9 | Josh Whyle | TE | Cincinnati | 102 |
10 | Davis Allen | TE | Clemson | 158 |
11 | Will Mallory | TE | Miami | 199 |
12 | Payne Durham | TE | Purdue | 208 |
13 | Zack Kuntz | TE | Old Dominion | 228 |
14 | Brayden Willis | TE | Oklahoma | 245 |
15 | Ben Sims | TE | Baylor | 255 |
16 | Ryan Miller | TE | Furman | 262 |
17 | Leonard Taylor | TE | Cincinnati | 266 |
18 | Kyle Patterson | TE | Air Force | 308 |