2022 NFL Draft: Jahleel Billingsley Leads Preseason Tight End Rankings
7. Austin Stogner, Oklahoma
Austin Stogner will have to challenge for targets in what will be an incredible Oklahoma Sooners offense, but he has the talent to be a riser in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Everything about Stogner is building consistency. He has excellent hands and makes good adjustments to the football. He’s quick into his stem and thrives through contact. For him, it’s about consistently being fluid in his routes, consistently succeeding up the seam, landing that initial strike and extension at the point of attack, and clearing contact with his hands to open up windows in the passing game. If all those take a step up in 2021, look out.
8. Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin
The last of the impressive run blockers on these early rankings, Jake Ferguson should have Badger fans excited for the season and his prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft. Ferguson can handle defensive ends as a run blocker and hold up at the point of attack, while also working efficiently out in space to spearhead perimeter runs. As a receiver, he’s got an impressive catch radius and can use short area quickness and size to separate.
His balance is sometimes an issue as he lunges, and he’s not super dynamic, but Ferguson is a reliable player who can excel in both aspects of the game.
9. James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
James Mitchell can do a bit of everything for Virginia Tech. He can line up out wide, in the backfield, and even get some reps on jet sweep touches. Mitchell has the prototypical size for the position, and thrives with good ball skills and a great red zone presence. He’s got good linear speed and the toughness to boot in space. Not to mention, he’s willing and has succeeded blocking inline.
Another season of development will do him well, as he works on the finer points of hand placement and route running. However, he’s got a chance to be a big 2022 NFL Draft riser as well as others on the list.
10. Will Mallory, Miami
Will Mallory rounds out the list. Mallory didn’t get many targets last season due to Brevin Jordan’s great numbers, but he has a chance to be a big factor his season. Mallory has the size and length to thrive inline, and the burst and technical skills to succeed as a receiver.
Being more patient and balanced at the line will help him as a blocker, especially with his initial punch. Drops have been an issue for him the last two seasons, but 2020 was a marked improvement. Another jump this year and he will be firmly on the 2022 NFL Draft radar.
Honorable Mentions: Cole Turner, Nevada, Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State