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.
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.
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