NFL Draft Notebook: Why Kyle Pitts will win Rookie of the Year and more
By John Blair
A look at some of the tight ends who are seeing their stock rise going into the 2021 season.
Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama
Alabama tight end Jahleel Billingsley came on strong at the end of the 2020 season. In the last seven games, he caught 17 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Billingsley should have an even more productive season this as Alabama lost its top two wide receivers and starting tight end to the NFL. It would not be a shock to see Billingsley be the highest-drafted tight end from Alabama since O.J. Howard went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 19th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Greg Dulcich, UCLA
UCLA’s Greg Dulcich went from a walk-on wide receiver to one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the Pac-12. Last season, he saw his production increase significantly catching 26 passes for 517 yards and five touchdowns compared to the nine passes and one touchdown he had his first two seasons at UCLA. Part of the reason he saw this uptick in production last year was that he added 17 pounds going into the 2020 season.
Braden Galloway, Clemson
Clemson tight end Braden Galloway had a strong bounce-back season last year after he was suspended for most of the 2019 season due to testing positive for Ostarine. As a prospect, Galloway is an athletic tight end who is a much better receiver than he is a blocker. Due to this, he will likely be projected more of an H-back than an in-line tight end at the next level.
Camren McDonald, Florida State
After almost transferring before the season, Florida State tight end Camren McDonald became one of the more productive tight ends in recent years for the Seminoles last season. McDonald who was a first-year starter finished the year by placing second on the team in receptions and third in receiving yards with 263. His 263 receiving yards were the most by a Florida State tight end since Ryan Izzo had 306 yards in 2017.
Josh Whyle, Cincinnati
Going into last year Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle had two career receptions for 51 yards. That lack of production turned around this year though as Whyle hauled in 28 passes for 353 yards and six touchdowns. If he can improve as a blocker and runs a good 40-yard dash he could be a late-day-three pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Cole Turner, Nevada
Cole Turner likely made a million-dollar decision last year when he switched from wide receiver to tight end. His first couple of seasons at Nevada he was a lightly used receiver who caught just 6 passes for 88 yards. That changed this year though with his move to tight end as he was able to account for 49 receptions, 605 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns.