2023 NFL Draft Tight End Prospects: Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid & More!
Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, and the season is over we divert our attention to the offseason. We will start by focusing on the 2023 NFL Draft. The next position we will take a look at is the tight ends. A lot can change between now and the draft, but these are the top five prospects at the position currently.
Top 2023 Tight End Prospects Entering The NFL Draft
1 Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
We are going to start the rankings off with Mayer at the top. His blocking ability separates him from the rest of the pass catchers in this class. It will allow him to make an impact quicker than any other rookie tight end because it will keep him on the field and gives him the safest floor, although, he lacks the speed and athleticism to have an overly high ceiling as a pass catcher. Nevertheless, being the best blocker in your class is valued much higher by NFL GMs and coaches than it is by most fans. As a pass catcher, he is very impressive getting off the line of scrimmage. He has powerful arms he uses to blast defenders in press coverage and displays great balance off contact. His short area burst and quickness allows him to create separation. On the next level, he will excel in the red zone. Throughout his college career, he has shown everything you want in and around the end zone. Mayer has shown off strong hands, the ability to go up and get the ball, and he can use his body to bully defenders and win one-on-one matchups. There isn’t another tight end in this draft who is as close to being NFL-ready.
2 Dalton Kincaid, Utah
In the right system, Kincaid has the most upside as a pass-catcher in this year’s draft. However, he’s essentially a glorified big slot receiver cut from the same cloth as a Mike Gesicki type of player. Odds are he will often be flexed out in the slot and not used as an extension of the offensive line. By that description, he blocks about as well as you think he does. It’s not one of his strengths, to say the least. You won’t see him overwhelming any defenders with power and strength. Nonetheless, from a fantasy perspective, this should be the first rookie tight end taken in dynasty leagues. He was the most productive tight end in the nation last year and his skills are unmatched in this draft. Like Jimmy Graham before him, Kincaid was a basketball player who took to football and excelled. His ability to run routes and soft hands stand out on film, and he has the speed and explosiveness to get the best of safeties and make big plays downfield. A skill not many tight ends possess.
3 Darnell Washington, Georgia
While there are some fundamental flaws in Washington’s game, if you just wanted his highlight reel you would be floored by some of the plays he makes at his size. He stands a 6’7 280-pound monster. As a blocker he absolutely mauls people. At his size, if he’s blocking a linebacker or safety he can engulf them. Any size-related trait he has it. His strength, catch radius, and ability to run through defenders are apparent. He actually has impressive agility and speed in the open field for someone built like a refrigerator. If you have to deal with him at the catch point on a contested catch you are in huge trouble. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he ends up being the best tight end in this draft class. However, he does have his limitations. He doesn’t create much separation which he can get away with because of his size but can still be an issue. Also, there isn’t much of a threat of him taking the top off a defense for a big play and teams won’t need to use a safety to cover him. A linebacker to due. Washington will be regarded as more of a chain mover and endzone target.
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4 Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
Musgrave lacks college production in college and missed most of this season due to injury. He is almost a complete projection due to measurables and his combine will drastically impact his draft stock. For now, we place him in our fourth spot. At 6’6 250 pounds, he runs a 4.51 forty-yard dash and has a 36.5 vertical leap. He’s probably the most explosive athlete at the position in this draft and has a pretty well-rounded skill set showing ability both as a pass catcher and blocker. Still, the opportunity for actual production just hasn’t been there due to Covid and injuries. His upside is massive, but we just didn’t get to see it. This is a player to watch leading up to the draft.
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5 Sam LaPorta, Iowa
It was tough picking who would be fifth, but what gave LaPorta the edge, for now, is that he went to Iowa, and Iowa pumps out tight ends like no other school in the nation. Like so many of the great Hawkeye TEs, he shows impressive football IQ, excellent route running, and great hands. He’s also an impressive athlete who can do damage once he gets the ball in his hands. Somewhat surprisingly for an Iowa TE, he is not a good blocker though. That’s something he will definitely have to improve on if he wants to see snaps at the NFL level.
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