2022 NFL Draft: Jahleel Billingsley Leads Preseason Tight End Rankings
3. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
Despite landing further down the list, there is still plenty to like when it comes to Jalen Wydermyer in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he lands third on the preliminary tight end rankings.
Wydermyer shows off his technician skill set as a route runner, bending and dipping through his stem to get defenders leaning before he snaps off at the top of his route. His hand usage at the top of his stem helps him gain and maintain separation. Wydermyer is flexible and has a developed route tree. Wydermyer uses his prototypical size and frame to dominate at the catch point, and he’s a true red zone nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s impressive after the catch with strong balance as well.
Wydermyer is more of a true receiving tight end right now, and he struggles to engage and sustain as a blocker. Right now, it’s more of a controlled collision when he pulls or works up to the second level. Wydermyer also isn’t the most dynamic player for a receiving threat. Still, there’s plenty of value for his skill set in the 2022 NFL Draft, especially if we see his ability as a blocker improve.
4. Trey McBride, Colorado State
Trey McBride isn’t talked about as much as he should be right now. The Colorado State product has moved all over the formation and succeeded in every spot to this point in his collegiate career.
McBride emulates the finisher persona, driving opponents into the ground in the run game, sometimes beyond the whistle. He can handle defensive lineman and is great on combo blocks and climbing to the second level. McBride also possesses adequate straight line speed and some twitch off the line into his stem. He’s a smooth mover in space with a great pair of hands to boot.
He isn’t the most dynamic, crisp route runner, but McBride’s all-around skill set will have NFL teams excited in the 2022 NFL Draft.
5. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
A dynamic playmaker is next on the list. Isaiah Likely could be confused with a receiver at times, as he lines up wide and in the slot plenty for the Chanticleers. He’s incredibly dynamic off of the line of scrimmage, getting into his stem with great speed and explosion. Likely is a vertical threat with the speed and stamina to erase angles in space. He has very good fluidity in his breaks as well, and has excellent hands, a big catch radius, and thrives through contact.
If he wants to be an all-around playmaker, Likely needs to work on his hand usage. He runs with his hands down at times, so working through contact in his stem and at the line of scrimmage will be new to him in the NFL. His efficiency at the top of routes with hitch and comeback routes is evident as well. He fine tunes his game, and Likely has a ridiculously high ceiling.
6. Brant Kuithe, Utah
Another player who has the role as an H-back or flex tight end, Brant Kuithe is one of the smaller tight ends in the class. Still, his skill set is very impressive. Kuithe still competes his butt off as a blocker and sustains blocks in space to spring open big plays. As a receiver, Kuithe has crisp footwork and good burst and speed to work up the seam. He’s a nightmare after the catch with his manipulation of defenders in space and his creative improvisation to make defenders miss.
He needs to add some weight to work inline full time, but a big slot role could be in store for Kuithe at the next level anyway.