2022 NFL Draft: Jahleel Billingsley Leads Preseason Tight End Rankings
Two SEC talents and two west coast studs lead a potentially superb 2022 NFL Draft class at the tight end position.
The first full week of college football is set to begin this week, and that means the 2022 NFL Draft process gets plenty of attention, with prospects looking to develop and improve with another season, and hopefully raise their stock.
For the past couple of draft classes, outside of Kyle Pitts and Pat Freiermuth, the tight end position has been pretty pedestrian. The 2022 class could be a very good one with depth in spades, and it’s a position to keep track of this fall. It’s deep enough that some good players won’t make this preseason top 10.
So who’s on the list? A couple SEC talents and west coast standouts lead the way, with plenty of pass catchers with upside on the list. A few of these guys haven’t got much national attention, but should very soon. Without further ado, let’s get into the list.
2022 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings
Previous Rankings:
–Running Backs
1. Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama
Maybe it’s a surprise because another SEC prospect has been at the top since the 2021 process ended, but Jahleel Billingsley is slowly moving towards the consensus top guy here. Some of it is projection, sure, as he hasn’t gotten the target share and snaps that some of the others in the list have, but the talent and traits are undeniable.
Billingsley is a superb athlete with very good straight line speed and the flexibility to be fluid with his change of direction skills. He’s a very good route runner already and can create separation with ease when lined up versus linebackers. Billingsley has the strong hands to make plays in contested spots and surprise many with catches outside his frame and through contact (the Notre Dame play comes to mind). He’s elusive after the catch as well.
Obviously, seeing the production materialize will be important this season, and it would be good to see Billingsley improve as a blocker. But, he has a chance to make major noise in the 2022 NFL Draft because he can become a matchup nightmare in an NFL offense. The versatility and athleticism combination is unmatched.
2. Cade Otton, Washington
It’s probably another surprise to this point, but Cade Otton currently sits as the best all-around talent at tight end in these preseason rankings.
As a blocker, Otton will be just fine lining up inline. He holds up very well in pass protection, staying patient and balanced, and shows great initial quicks and explosion to get to contact and displace defenders in the run game. He doesn’t mind showing off his finisher mentality as well.
Otton does a very good job in the passing game as well. He is very good at finding space in zone coverage. His hand usage through his stem is evident, and he can cross the face of defenders to open up a window for his quarterback. Otton has reliable hands and does well at shielding defenders at the catch point. He also shows toughness and balance to create after the catch.
Otton isn’t the most dynamic player in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he can afford to improve in a couple areas. His route tree isn’t fully developed, and seeing a more diverse tree this season would be beneficial. As a blocker, moving quick enough laterally off the snap to handle the EMLOS (end man on line of scrimmage) before he can shoot gaps is important as well. Despite the areas to improve, Otton sits near the top of these rankings for a reason.