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- Jake Briningstool – Clemson
Briningstool sneaks into the top 10 of an impressive tight end class. The slot receiving tight end is a natural receiver with a huge catch radius, the ability to be a vertical threat and constant mismatch potential. As a tweener tight end and wide receiver, he knows how to sell routes with his high IQ. Briningstool’s hands are pretty reliable and his burst after the catch is intriguing. He is very slender for a tight end and for that reason, struggles as a blocker. He does lack elusiveness and tends to catch the football with his body.
Player Comparisons: Cole Turner / Josh Whyle
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Chiefs, Broncos, Cowboys (Wild Card – Falcons)
- Mitchell Evans – Notre Dame
The Northeast Ohio product is a true inline tight end with prototypical tight end size. Evans possesses great hands, a high football IQ and has the length and bulk desired by most NFL teams. For his size, he has surprising burst as a runner, but his blocking ability is the main appeal. Evans is a red zone weapon and he’s an excellent receiver over the middle of the field. He only has limited twitch and speed, which hurts him when trying to separate. Evans has an injury history that isn’t ideal, but his toughness is certainly nothing to question.
Player Comparisons: Payne Durham / Charlie Kolar
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Colts, Bengals, Titans (Wild Card – Chargers)
- Terrance Ferguson – Oregon
Ferguson is a slot receiving tight end with prototypical tight end size and a large catch radius. His long strides help him as a route runner and his body control allows him to be a red zone threat in the air. Ferguson flashes reliable hands and is also a willing blocker. He lacks elite speed and tends to plod as he runs. Against larger edge defenders, he will struggle to maintain leverage as a blocker. Ferguson tends to round his routes and it would also be nice to see him play stronger more consistently.
Player Comparisons: AJ Barner / Mike Gesicki
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Jaguars, Cowboys, Saints (Wild Card – Rams)
- Oronde Gadsden II – Syracuse
Gadsden is another slot receiving tight end with good length and a wide receiver, tight end tweener style. He is a fast tight end with great athleticism, burst and advanced route running skills. Gadsden’s body control is great for a tight end and he is a true hands catcher. His frame is lean with a lack of bulk and he is an underdeveloped blocker. Gadsden will struggle with physical linebackers and his injury history is also not spotless. If used correctly, he will be dangerous.
Player Comparisons: Dalton Kincaid / Isaiah Likely
Projection: 4th – 5th Round
Best Fits: Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs (Wild Card – Colts)
- Mason Taylor – LSU
Taylor is a true inline tight end with the NFL in his blood as the son of Jason Taylor. He showcases soft hands, finds the soft spot in the defense and happens to be a smooth mover. Taylor is great at walling off defenders on 50/50 catches. He will consistently move the chains and come up clutch when his team needs him. His balance is also fairly respectable. Taylor lacks vertical speed and needs to refine his separation skills. If he can get tougher as a blocker and be a better weapon in the red zone, then Taylor will be pretty productive in the league.
Player Comparisons: Dallas Goedert / Luke Schoonmaker
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Falcons, Titans, Jaguars (Wild Card – Jets)
- Elijah Arroyo – Miami FL
Arroyo is a multi-role tight end who can easily align inline. He has an adequate frame to be a blocker but he excels as a receiver. Arroyo runs with long strides and his great length plus above average speed leads to big plays. His catch radius is big and Arroyo also picks up plenty of yards after the catch. Ultimately, his ceiling is really high if he can stay healthy. In college, he never had massive production numbers and his route tree is still developing. As a blocker, he is pretty average.
Player Comparisons: Noah Fant / Sam LaPorta
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Saints, Rams, Bengals (Wild Card – Jaguars)
- Gunnar Helm – Texas
Helm is a prototypical inline tight end with adequate size, great hands and he can also create separation as a route runner. With his ability to find open space and pick up yardage after the catch, splitting Helm out wide might be a good move from time to time. His body control is solid and Helm is a tough player as well. He needs some work as a blocker and could improve his play strength this offseason. Despite lacking elite athleticism, more consistency in his game could lead to immediate starting experience.
Player Comparisons: Pat Freiermuth / Jake Ferguson
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Jets, Cowboys, Chiefs (Wild Card – Falcons)
Watch as Cole unveils the top 3 – highlights included!
