NFL Draft Notebook: Why Kyle Pitts will win Rookie of the Year and more
By John Blair
- One of the more complete tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft is Jake Ferguson of Wisconsin. As a receiver Ferguson shows reliable hands and is a consistent short to intermediate passing game threat. As a blocker, he displays good tenacity and routinely drives his guy off the ball. He will likely fall to the early portions of day three of the 2022 NFL Draft since he lacks elite athletic ability and speed. However, he is the type of prospect who is drafted later than he should be but becomes a solid contributor at the next level.
- An area Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer needs to improve in is his run blocking. He tends to have trouble staying on his blocks or even landing his block in the first place due to taking poor angles. He also lacks the consistent high effort and overall strength to move his defender off the ball down after down. If he can sure up these concerns this year he has the receiving skills and natural athletic ability to be a late first-round pick.
- While Charlie Kolar gets most of the attention when it comes to Iowa State tight ends it would be a mistake to overlook Chase Allen. In fact, Allen might be the better overall tight end among the two players. The best part of Allen’s game is his blocking ability. He has the power to control his man at the point of attack and also the intensity to finish his blocks. As a receiver, Allen is a big target who is becoming more of a red-zone target. One concern with him in the passing game though is he will drop some passes, mainly due to him not looking the ball in.
- One of the most productive tight ends returning to college football this season is Isaiah Likely of Coastal Carolina. Last season, Likely led all Sun Belt in receiving yards with 517 and had five games of over 70 receiving yards. He was also a proven big-play threat averaging over 20 yards per catch and making three catches of over 50 yards. While he is a proven receiver he will need to improve as a blocker this season to be a day two pick.
- A prospect who is not getting enough hype going into the 2021 season is South Carolina tight end Nick Muse. Muse is an all-around tight end who can open lanes in the run game or be a good short-to-intermediate target in the passing game. As a blocker, he shows the strength to hold his ground against defensive ends or control linebackers. He also shows good aggression in this area, and always blocks to the whistle. In the passing game, he is a sure-handed receiver who has no trouble catching the ball in traffic. One downfall with him is he lacks great speed and will not be a player who can stretch a defense.
- One of the better Division II prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft is Notre Dame College tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden. Mitchell-Paden was named All-MEC in both this spring and in 2019 and over this time period hauled in 56 receptions for 755 yards in just 18 games. To go along with his strong production he has the size to attract NFL attention coming in at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. If he can have another strong season this year he would be an ideal candidate for the Senior Bowl.