The tight end class is one of the strongest positional groups in the 2023 NFL Draft. Who earned a spot on the latest top 10 rankings?
Versatile tight ends have become an invaluable chess piece for offensive coordinators in the NFL. The ability to make an impact as a blocker while also stretching the defense and moving the chains as a pass catcher is something the best tight ends in the league have in common.
This year’s tight end class is arguably the best in a decade. The consensus big board features six of the top 70 players overall at the position, and this number matches up with my big board.
2023 NFL Draft: Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid Lead Stacked TE Group
Most of the top options can contribute as rookies, making them all the more coveted heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. Multiple teams in the first round need an upgrade (or replacement) at tight end… how many of these guys will go on day one?
Our updated top 10 rankings are here! You can predict a majority of the names on this list, but stay tuned for the back half of the top 10 as I sprinkle in a few sleepers.
TE10: Josh Whyle (Cincinnati)
Height: 6-foot-6 1/2
Weight: 248 pounds
DOB: 9-08-1999 (23 years old)
The Cincinnati Bearcats sent several starting-caliber players to the NFL last year, but tight end Josh Whyle is joining the party this year. Heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, Whyle is a late-round target with high upside. He is an every-down player who thrives in a scrum and always comes out on top as a blocker.
The most intriguing part of Whyle’s game is his untapped potential as a pass catcher. The Cincy tight end showed ability as a receiver, flexing elite hands and the competitiveness to fight for the ball in traffic. He didn’t test as well as others in the class, and he will never be a threat after the catch, but look for a team to take Whyle somewhere on day three.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
TE9: Davis Allen (Clemson)
Height: 6-foot-5 7/8
Weight: 245 pounds
DOB: 2-03-2000 (23 years old)
Clemson witnessed a ‘down season’ by its standards in 2022, but Davis Allen had a career year for the Tigers. He hauled in 39 receptions for 443 yards while chipping in five touchdowns.
Allen only dropped three passes across his entire collegiate career, highlighting his hands as a top attribute. He is not the best athlete, but his size — and underrated route running — still free him up downfield. Allen being as tall as he is will benefit him as a red-zone target, too.
An NFL team will want to unlock Allen’s potential as a blocker, as he has never been an above-average player in this facet. He is worth taking on day three, as a coaching staff can turn Allen into one of the biggest steals of the entire draft.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
TE8: Luke Schoonmaker (Michigan)
Height: 6-foot-5 1/4
Weight: 251 pounds
DOB: 9-28-1998 (24 years old)
Luke Schoonmaker is flying under the radar even after an impressive NFL Combine. At Michigan, the gifted tight end rarely had the chance to showcase his talents as a pass catcher. It wasn’t until 2022 that Schoonmaker saw more than 23 targets in a season.
Still, in his one year as the primary target for Michigan, Schoonmaker showed signs of being a starting tight end in the NFL. He plays strong, and the elite short-area agility flashes on tape. Schoonmaker is a legitimate threat after the catch.
His NFL projection is an interesting one. Right now, he is still raw and limited in terms of on-field experience. That being said, it is easy to see how Schoonmaker can be a better pro than he was a college player. NFL teams should consider Schoonmaker at the end of day two or the beginning of day three.
NFL Draft Grade: Fringe Day 2
TE7: Zack Kuntz (Old Dominion)
Height: 6-foot-7 3/8
Weight: 255 pounds
DOB: 6–06-1999 (23 years old)
The standout performer for tight ends at the NFL Combine was Old Dominion’s, Zack Kuntz. He ran a 4.55 40-yard dash, a sub-7 3-cone drill, and posted a 40-inch vertical. Oh yeah… he’s also 6-foot-7 and weighs 255 pounds. Wild, huh?
Kuntz put together a stellar 2021 season after transferring from Penn State, catching 73 passes for 692 yards and five touchdowns. His tape shows a smooth mover who uses his size as an advantage. Oftentimes, Kuntz gets separation from the slot and goes over the top of smaller defenders — and runs past bigger ones.
This highlights the role Kuntz could have in the league. He is a former four-star recruit, oozing potential in the modern NFL. Kuntz suffered a season-ending injury in 2022 but proved this issue is in the past as he looked 100% at the NFL Combine.
With only one season of production, Kuntz still presents a risk. He will be 24 as a rookie but is less raw than most think. Kuntz can impact an offense upon arrival, and if he can continue improving his blocking, the sky is the limit. I would take him at the end of day two and not think twice about it.
NFL Draft Grade: Late Day 2
TE6: Sam LaPorta (Iowa)
Height: 6-foot-3 1/4
Weight: 245 pounds
DOB: 1-12-2000 (23 years old)
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a history of sending tight ends to the NFL, and Sam LaPorta is the next one coming through the pipeline. He caught 50+ balls in 2021 and 2022 and surpassed the 648-yard plateau each season.
His production as a receiver is only the tip of the iceberg. LaPorta is a willing blocker and loves to get his nose dirty. The technique needs some refinement, as he can be caught off balance and fail to anchor in at times, but the effort he brings shows that he’s capable of improving.
Back to his pass-catching, LaPorta is one of the better route runners in the 2023 NFL Draft. He plays in-line primarily but took several snaps from the slot as well. LaPorta comes out of his breaks clean and is a deceptive YAC threat with the ball in his hands.
Speaking of his hands, that is where he could stand to improve the most outside of blocking. More times than not, LaPorta snags anything thrown his way, but his 11 drops the past two seasons are concerning, even if they can be chalked up to a lack of concentration.
All-in-all, LaPorta is a great tight end prospect. He will have a role as a rookie and should gradually become one of the best pass catchers at the position. The Iowa standout is worth a day-two selection any day.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-to-Late Day 2
TE5: Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State)
Height: 6-foot-4 3/4
Weight: 254 pounds
DOB: 11-03-2000 (22 years old)
Similar to Zack Kuntz, there’s a chance you haven’t heard or seen much of Tucker Kraft. Well, you have roughly six months before he becomes a household name.
Kraft dealt with injuries in 2022, but his 2021 season was one for the record books for the Jackrabbits. He hauled in 65 receptions for 770 yards and six touchdowns, serving as the No. 2 option in the passing game.
Kraft is a solid route runner, but his best attribute is after the catch. Over half of his career yards came with the ball in his hands, using his impressive long speed and underrated shiftiness to abuse defenders downfield.
As a blocker, Kraft is not quite elite but he has the traits to be. A more consistent pad level and some NFL coaching on hand usage should help Kraft become an every-down contributor early in his career.
Kraft will improve the passing game for whatever team is lucky enough to land him. He plays hard, and his competitiveness jumps off the screen. As long as he can stay healthy, Kraft will be a decade-long starter in the league. He should go on day two.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid Day 2
TE4: Luke Musgrave (Oregon State)
Height: 6-foot-5 7/8
Weight: 253 pounds
DOB: 9-02-2000 (22 years old)
This tight end class gets a lot of hype, especially the “big four”. Luke Musgrave is the first one I’ll mention, but it is reasonable to have the final four names in any order.
Musgrave is arguably the most unproven player on this list. That is what separates him from the top three on my rankings, but to see what Musgrave can truly be in the NFL, we must dive deeper into the tape.
Musgrave boasts the athletic profile to line up anywhere on the offense. He is strong enough to serve as an in-line blocker and agile enough to create separation from the slot. This versatility makes the projection easier, even without the raw counting numbers.
The Oregon State tight end never caught more than 22 passes in any season and only found the end zone twice as a Beaver. However, at nearly 6-foot-6, we can chalk this up to the scheme rather than Musgrave’s inability to score.
He showed a solid route tree in his limited action, and he is a terrifying cover for defensive backs if he leaks out downfield. Expect to see Musgrave used in short-yardage situations early, but as he grows more as a player, he will be a top option in the passing game.
Musgrave is less of a proven commodity than his reputation says, but the tape and his offseason workouts match his hype. I would select Musgrave in the middle of day two.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid Day 2
TE3: Darnell Washington (Georgia)
Height: 6-foot-6 5/8
Weight: 264 pounds
DOB: 8-17-2001 (21 years old)
Darnell Washington only has one season of legit production as a receiver, but he has been a menacing blocker since arriving in Athens. He set career marks in receptions (28), yards (454), and touchdowns (2) while also posting the highest run-blocking grade of his career (81.3) in 2022.
Washington carried this momentum into the offseason by dropping jaws during the NFL Combine. The Georgia star ran a 4.64 40-yard dash and knocked the shuttle drill and broad jump out of the park.
Washington’s size can get him in trouble as a blocker when defenders get into his body and negate his otherworldly length. He did a better job keeping his arms extended and dominating the point of attack in 2022, alleviating the size concerns.
As a pass catcher, Washington’s catch radius is superb. He looks like an alien when he reaches top speed, and I cannot imagine what it would feel like to try and tackle him one-on-one in space. Washington is a threat after the catch because of this.
He wasn’t used as much in the passing game once the team got to the red zone, but NFL teams will look to use him frequently. He is a mismatch for any defender, no matter if it’s a cornerback, safety, or linebacker.
Where Washington can stand to improve is his route diversity. He didn’t get a chance to run many routes at Georgia, so the questions surrounding his route tree are valid. Still, even if Washington is “only” a chain-moving threat, he is worth an early day-two selection.
His floor is a dominant blocking tight end with immense red zone potential. His ceiling is an all-around tight end who pressures the defense and learns how to eat up open areas in zone coverage. Washington can lead the NFL in touchdown receptions in the right situation and is an elite blocker from the moment he arrives at training camp.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 2
TE2: Dalton Kincaid (Utah)
Height: 6-foot-3 1/2
Weight: 246 pounds
DOB: 11-18-1999 (23 years old)
Dalton Kincaid is the most polished route runner in the 2023 NFL Draft. It is especially impressive because Kincaid only played one season of football in his life before college.
Kincaid grew up playing basketball and was a star for his high school and AAU teams. At the behest of his friends, he decided to play football as a senior and this decision would change his life forever.
Kincaid didn’t receive a single college offer due to his limited experience, but after walking on to the San Diego squad, it was clear he found his calling. The up-and-coming tight end led the team in touchdowns (11) as a freshman and served as the No. 1 option in 2019.
Following success at the FCS level, Kincaid announced his transfer to Utah before the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He did not play much that year, but 2021 saw him command more snaps, as he tallied 36 receptions for 510 yards and eight touchdowns.
As great as he was in 2021, Kincaid saved his best for last. The senior tight end led Utah in catches (70), yards (890), and touchdowns (8). His ability to create space and run such an expansive route tree while being this early in his career is something to marvel at.
Kincaid wins downfield by using his fluid hips and easy change of direction to shake off defenders. He comes out of every route clean and always gives his quarterback a target with his sure hands. Kincaid was only charged with two drops during his entire collegiate career.
In fact, I would argue Kincaid has the best hands in the draft, regardless of position. He rips the ball out of the air and possesses elite body control when working downfield. The Utah star is not scared to catch a pass in traffic, regularly going over the middle and fighting for the ball in the air.
The most glaring issue with Kincaid’s game comes as a blocker. He is always willing to mix it up, but his lack of experience in the sport shows up time and time again. Kincaid can be moved off his spot by bigger defenders, and given his slender frame, he doesn’t profile as a plus-blocker at any point in his career.
Still, in today’s NFL, a pass catcher as talented as Kincaid is vital to spread-out offenses. He will be in contention for Offensive Rookie of the Year and has a chance to lead all 2023 NFL Draft picks in receiving production next year. Kincaid shouldn’t make it out of day one, but if he does, a team will get a steal in round two.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 2
TE1: Michael Mayer (Notre Dame)
Height: 6-foot-4 1/2
Weight: 249 pounds
DOB: 7-06-2001 (21 years old)
Michael Mayer did not test quite as well as expected, but it wasn’t a bad workout, by any means. He ran a 4.7-flat, which is more than enough speed, and his 32.5-inch vertical will play.
The reason it is easy to look past some underwhelming testing numbers is how great Mayer’s tape is. He caught 42 passes for 450 yards as a freshman, before taking his game up a notch in 2021 and 2022.
Mayer hauled in at least 67 receptions, 800 yards, and seven touchdowns in each of his final two seasons at Notre Dame. He dropped seven passes in these two years, but with 196 targets, I don’t worry too much in this area.
Perhaps my favorite part of Mayer’s game is how difficult he is to bring down with the ball in his hands. He doesn’t seem like the type to rack up YAC, but nearly half of his career yards came after the catch.
Not only is Mayer exceptional after the catch, but he is also tough to guard without the ball. He runs crisp routes and is a contested catch specialist over the middle and when working the sideline. Mayer separates extremely well for a guy of his size.
As a blocker, Mayer is a force in the run game. He clears lanes for running backs and uses his athleticism to get to the second level. Several big gains by the Notre Dame running backs came as a direct result of the hole(s) opened up by Mayer.
If I had to nitpick a weakness in his game, I’d say it is consistency as a blocker. When engaged, Mayer is a phenomenal blocker. However, I saw more than a handful of plays on tape where Mayer seemed to “phone it in”. He must remain locked in every snap, even the ones he is not a part of, to avoid landing in his coach’s dog house.
Mayer is the best tight end in this class. He has the production to match his prototypical size. The Notre Dame superstar is set to be a fantasy football needle-mover and will quickly become one of the best offensive weapons in the league. He is a day-one prospect who could go earlier than anyone expects.
NFL Draft Grade: Late Day 1
Just Missed:
-Payne Durham (Purdue)
-Will Mallory (Miami)
-Cameron Latu (Alabama)
-Brenton Strange (Penn State)
-Jahleel Billingsley (Texas)