Rookie tight end class is off to a flying start

Not every TE has started fast, but a quartet of highly-drafted TEs are making huge marks as rookies

Tight end is typically one of the most difficult positions for players to transition from college to the NFL. From the increased receiving responsibilities to the different hashes and line splits, to the bigger/stronger defenders they’re required to block, it’s often a slow burn for even the top tight ends.

The draft class of 2023 has been a little different. Four rookie TEs, all drafted in a cluster between No. 25 and 42 overall, are off to flying starts in the NFL.

2024 draft prospect Room to Improve: Georgia TE Brock Bowers

Bowers is a very skilled receiver but has a few area where he can improve for Georgia as a 2024 NFL draft prospect

Up next in the Room to Improve series for the 2024 NFL draft prospects is the reigning Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top tight end, Brock Bowers of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Bowers has quickly proven himself as an outstanding receiving threat in his first two seasons in Athens. What can he do to help augment his potential NFL draft stock in the upcoming college season?

I use this series to preemptively nitpick prospects and see where I want prospects to improve in the upcoming college season. It’s a series I did back in the day as part of the Draft Breakdown (RIP) team, and I’m reviving it here as the Room to Improve series for the 2024 NFL draft.

For Bowers, I watched Georgia’s games against Oregon, Samford, Kent State, Auburn, LSU and Ohio State from the 2022 national championship season.

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2023 NFL Draft: Darnell Washington scouting report

Washington is a supremely athletic prospect but also a project who needs a lot of development

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As unique of a physical build for the position as they come, Georgia tight end Darnell Washington will look to prove to scouts he can transition as a receiving threat at the next level as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Bulldogs’ big playmaker:

2023 NFL Draft: Dalton Kincaid scouting report

Scouting report for Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid for the 2023 NFL draft

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A former college walk on, Dalton Kincaid has blossomed into one of the most dynamic tight ends in this upcoming class and will look to go from walk on to first round pick as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Utes dynamo:

2023 NFL Draft: Sam LaPorta scouting report

Scouting report on Iowa TE Sam LaPorta

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A highly targeted tight end who was the top weapon for for Iowa over the last two seasons, Sam LaPorta will hope that production turns into draft stock as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Hawkeyes big target:

2020 NFL draft: Colby Parkinson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Stanford tight end prospect Colby Parkinson

Colby Parkinson | TE | Stanford

Elevator Pitch

Parkinson immediately stands out on the football field with this size. Standing 6-7, his 33-inch arms tell the story for this Stanford tight end. A school that has produced plenty of NFL tight ends. He using his length to his advantage and he could be well on his way to becoming an eventual starter at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-7

Weight | 252

Class | Junior

College Stats

College Bio

Strengths

It is best to get Parkinson involved in the redzone as often as possible. With his size and length, he is a jump ball target. Not many players in the NFL could compete with his ability to rise above the rest. Not to mention he has a vertical of 32.5″ and he can snag the ball away from his frame. Shows good hands on film and he consistently high points the ball that keeps defenders from being able to make a play.

Parkinson brings the ability to line up in multiple spots on offense that allows the team to use creative ways to get him the ball. Can line up out wide as a big slot, inline or as a “H” back. Has length to be a solid blocker in the run game. As a receiver, he can win at all three levels although he isn’t much of a deep threat. However, with his size it won’t be hard to fit him the ball in tight coverage with a huge catch radius.

Weaknesses

He is a bit lean in his frame. He could add muscle to his frame to help in the physical aspects of his game. While he can be a solid blocker, he still needs work on technique to become a better one and get more snaps on the field. He is more of a pass catcher than blocker at this point. Struggles with leverage due to his size but needs to nail down technique. It will be a big reason he won’t get more snaps without improvement.

He lacks the quickness to get into his route quickly, needs time to get into his breaks. He shouldn’t be the first or second option on the play. Needs to work on his release from the inline position as well. The physical aspect of his game leaves a lot to be desired for such a big player.

Projection: Day 3

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2020 NFL draft: Albert Okwuegbunam scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Missouri tight end prospect Albert Okwuegbunam

Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | Missouri

Elevator Pitch

Okwuegbunam brings plenty of intriguing physical tools to the table; it’s just a matter of whether or not he can capitalize on them. He’s a raw prospect, but his size, speed and physicality project him as a dangerous red-zone target at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 258

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Though his 4.49 40-yard dash was a little bit surprising, Okwuegbunam does have plenty of athletic ability for his size.

The Mizzou standout has very good straight-line speed, both in workouts and on tape. He accelerates well off the snap and has the long speed to stretch the field as a tight end, which not many players are able to do. He has also shown promise as a route runner, as he can change his tempo up pretty well and make sharp cuts at times. Okwuegbunam’s body control across the middle of the field is solid, and he has the ability to make adjustments to the ball in mid-air in jump-ball situations. He has natural ball skills and does a good job of tracking down balls and high pointing them.

Okwuegbunam’s body control is complemented by his hulking frame and physicality as a pass-catcher. He does a great job of boxing out defenders and using his strength to physically overwhelm man-coverage defenders. His value in red-zone situations is apparent in the stat sheet, as he caught 23 touchdown passes in three seasons with Mizzou. While still improving as a blocker, he has shown the grip strength and the flashes of tenacity to become a more-than-adequate in-line tight end when considering his physical talents.

Weaknesses

While Okwuegbunam is athletic, he doesn’t always get the most out of his athleticism. He’s a bit stiff-hipped as a route runner, as he struggles with consistently sinking his hips into his cuts and accelerating coming out of his breaks. His routes can be rounded at times, and he can do a better job of playing with consistent effort when he runs his routes, regardless of whether or not he’s the first read. His value doesn’t come after the catch, as he doesn’t have much lateral quickness and can’t make defenders miss.

Okwuegbunam’s technique as a blocker could use some work, as his pad level and weight distribution isn’t quite developed at this stage of his career. He lunges a bit too much and can sink his hips into contact better than he currently does. Durability is also a bit of an issue with Okwuegbunam, as he has battled through minor shoulder, knee and leg injuries over the span of the past two seasons. For a weapon with his frame, staying healthy is going to be crucial if he doesn’t want to lose out on his athletic tools.

Projection: 3rd-4th Round

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2020 NFL draft: Adam Trautman scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Dayton tight end prospect Adam Trautman

Adam Trautman | TE | Dayton

Elevator Pitch

Trautman is a small-school pass-catcher who put up big numbers for the Flyers. The rule of thumb is that if you played at a small school, you better dominate. In two seasons of production, he hauled in over 150 passes for 2,295 yards and 31 touchdowns. Check that box, he can be a real weapon at the next level for a team.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 255

Class | Redshirt Senior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

Trautman was a somewhat unknown NFL prospect for most of the college football season until he stepped onto the field in Mobile, Alabama for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. His strong week against the top level competition showed that he can perform when the bright lights are on. He showed that despite dominating lower end competition, Trautman is ready to take on the best the league has to offer.

Trautman usually wins with his athleticism, you can he see he played basketball in high school with how he boxes out defenders. Uses his hands to secure the catch and does so away from his frame. Which gives quarterbacks a nice catch radius. He showed against FCS opponents that he is much to powerful for defenders, with time at the next level he could continue that style of play.

Where he wins best will be up the seam of a defense and in the red zone. Not a guy who you have to lineup as an inline target, has flexibility to move around. At Dayton, Trautman lined up in the backfield, on the line and split out wide. Great matchup chess piece for any offensive coach.

Weaknesses

The biggest worry in Trautman’s game comes as an inline blocker. He will need to be refined with his stance, hand placement and blocking technique. He is very raw in terms of understanding how to be a blocker at the next level. He was recruited to play quarterback but switched to tight end after his redshirt freshman season.

In terms of being raw, Trautman will need to be refined as a route runner as well. It is a relative unknown on how he will respond to press coverage as his tape showed a lot of free releases, so how does he react when he is impeded by coverage?

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Harrison Bryant scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Florida Atlantic tight end prospect Harrison Bryant

Harrison Bryant | TE | Florida Atlantic

Elevator Pitch

Bryant was a high-volume receiver for Florida Atlantic. He is a matchup piece, line him up outside and let him battle it out with smaller defenders. His upside is all in the passing game. Over his time at FAU, he hauled in 148 passes for 2,137 yards and 16 touchdowns. Harrison Bryant has drawn comparisons to George Kittle by NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein. High praise to be compared to one of the two best tight ends in the NFL.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 243

Class | Senior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

Immediately what stands out for Bryant is his hands. Despite them not being as big as some of the other tight ends, it doesn’t hinder his ability to come down with the ball. Despite that he is known for the focus drop, he will be a reliable target.

Looks more like a big wide receiver when running routes. Can attack up the seam or at the second and third level of a defense. He will do a good job of getting behind linebackers and will sit down in a vacated zone. Shows good burst coming out of breaks.

Despite the fact that he isn’t the most physical of tight ends, can catch through contact. Doesn’t lose balance either with a good base and footwork. Best option for Bryant is to work as a “big” slot or H-Back role until he develops a bit more to play inline.

Weaknesses

His frame could use some filling out. Adding weight could help with his functional strength. Shows good technique in blocking but seems to get overpowered with bigger defenders he is tasked with blocking. His lack of strength is pretty apparent all over his film.

For someone whose game is based on athleticism, his short area quickness is average at best. As evident with his 7.41 three-cone performance at the NFL Combine. Finished 11th among tight ends who participated. Will have to win on technique over god-given ability.

Projection: Day 3

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2020 NFL draft: Thaddeus Moss scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about LSU tight end prospect Thaddeus Moss

Thaddeus Moss | TE | LSU

Elevator Pitch

The son of NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss, Thaddeus has an NFL pedigree. Sure-handed pass catcher who is also a phenomenal blocker. He will be a good secondary option at the NFL level until he is further in his development.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 250

Class | Redshirt Junior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

If you are looking for a blocking tight end then Moss should be atop the list for your NFL team. Not just a chip guy before getting into his route, Moss can take on defenders one on one in passing sets. As a run blocker, he brings physicality and animosity. Great blocker on the edge, running backs will love running behind Moss.

Some of the best hands in the class, he is as sure handed as they come. Get the ball near his frame and Moss likely comes down with the ball. Rarely will he require double-catches to bring the ball in. When dealing with smaller defenders, will box them out with his wide frame to seal off defenders to prevent passes defended.

His footwork is a huge plus in his game. Keeps good balance and rarely stumbles in his blocking. Moss uses his lower half to really drive into his blocks. An absolute bully at the point of attack. Likely will see plenty of playing time because of his blocking ability over his ability in the passing game.

Weaknesses

He is more of a warming up runner, takes a bit to get to his top end speed. He won’t threaten defenders up the seam and Moss won’t create a lot of separation at the second and third levels of a defense. Teams shouldn’t expect much in terms of yards after the catch.

Not a well defined route runner, a bit of a shock since he is the son of the one of the two best wide receivers of all-time. Needs to become more refined as a route runner since Moss won’t win matchups with his limited athleticism.

Projection: 3rd-4th round

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