Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer
No position in the NFL has undergone more changes to the style of player over the years than tight end.
Long gone are the days of the blocking specialists who serve mainly as an extra offensive lineman. While guys such as Rob Gronkowski, George Kittle and Travis Kelce are excellent run-blockers, they’re outstanding receivers and major playmakers on offense.
“If you go back to the 70s, 80s and maybe even early 90s, the tight end was always an afterthought, the safety valve, the quarterback’s third option,” said agent Jack Bechta, who represents Kittle, the highest-paid tight end in league history. “Tight ends were never the feature of an offense or never the go-to guy in crucial situations. Now, the pendulum is kind of swinging the other way. I think you have to give credit to what the Saints did with Jimmy Graham, taking a basketball player and getting a very superior athletic guy and just torching safeties. Nobody tries to cover a tight end with a linebacker anymore. Before, that was the norm.
“The evolution of the position has become more valuable, more dynamic, more athletic and now it’s a must-have. It’s not the appetizer to the meal. It’s a must-have.”
Kyle Pitts is the new wave player, a tight end in a wide receiver’s body. Pitts became the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history when Atlanta selected him fourth overall last year.
Finding hybrid guys such as Pitts is rare.
Most draft analysts don’t anticipate a tight end going in the first round this week.
“I think it’s a pretty good tight end draft,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. “There’s no Kyle Pitts, but there is a ton of depth.”
Only nine tight ends have been selected in the first round over the past decade and four of the 10 first rounds saw none taken. Pitts and Detroit’s T.J. Hockenson (No. 8 in 2019) were among the exceptions. Noah Fant was picked 20th overall by Denver in 2019 and he was part of the trade to Seattle for Russell Wilson.
Most of the NFL’s prolific receiving tight ends were drafted after the first round.
Gronkowski, Zach Ertz, Hunter Henry, Dallas Goedert and Mike Gesicki were second-rounders. Kelce and Mark Andrews went in the third, Kittle in the fifth, Dalton Schultz in the fourth and Darren Waller in the sixth.
“I think you want guys that are dynamic but it’s also sure nice to be able to put your hand in the ground and be a friend to the running back and not just the quarterback,” Jeremiah said.
“If you go and look at the top tight ends in the NFL and for the most part look at their production with guys like George Kittle, it’s a traits-over-production position right now. You’re trying to find guys that have the ability to do those things. You don’t necessarily need to have seen them do it, but they need to have that ability.”
Colorado State’s Trey McBride is widely considered the top tight end in the upcoming draft and most boards expect him to go in the second round. Experts say he has good hands but isn’t a dynamic runner after the catch and his blocking is only solid.
UCLA’s Greg Dulcich, Ohio State’s Jeremy Ruckert, San Diego State’s Daniel Bellinger, Texas A&M’s Jalen Wydermyer, Coastal Carolina’s Isaiah Likely, Wisconsin’s Jake Ferguson, Iowa State’s Charlie Kolar and Washington’s Cade Otton are among the tight end prospects expected to go in the draft.
Ruckert only got 42 targets because Ohio State had two likely first-round receivers in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.
“He’s kind of a good, true wide tight end, hand-in-the-ground, not real flashy, not real explosive, but he can help you out in the run game and he’s a reliable pass catcher,” Jeremiah said. “I gave him a grade that kind of puts him in that fourth-round range for this draft.”
With Gronkowski undecided about returning and O.J. Howard, a first-round pick in 2017, gone to Buffalo, Tampa Bay might be considering a tight end.
“I’d say it’s pretty solid,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said of the tight end class. “There’s some good players. There’s never as many tight ends as there are receivers or running backs or offensive linemen, but I would say it’s pretty solid.”
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Everyone knew the ball was coming his way, and McBride still dominated. The 2021 Mackey Award winner was the first FBS tight end to surpass 1,100 receiving yards since Texas Tech's Jace Amaro in 2013. The two-time team captain has excellent hands (only six career drops) while also providing value as a blocker and on special teams. Projected: Round 2
Everyone knew the ball was coming his way, and McBride still dominated. The 2021 Mackey Award winner was the first FBS tight end to surpass 1,100 receiving yards since Texas Tech's Jace Amaro in 2013. The two-time team captain has excellent hands (only six career drops) while also providing value as a blocker and on special teams. Projected: Round 2
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Mark J. Terrill
From no-star recruit and preferred walk-on to first team All-Pac 12, Dulcich developed into one of the best all-around athletes at the position in this draft class. He's a proven big-play threat with six catches of 30-plus yards in 2021 and three touchdown receptions of 50-plus yards the last two seasons. The effort is there as a blocker, but the functional strength is underdeveloped. Projected: Rounds 2-3
Mark J. Terrill
From no-star recruit and preferred walk-on to first team All-Pac 12, Dulcich developed into one of the best all-around athletes at the position in this draft class. He's a proven big-play threat with six catches of 30-plus yards in 2021 and three touchdown receptions of 50-plus yards the last two seasons. The effort is there as a blocker, but the functional strength is underdeveloped. Projected: Rounds 2-3
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Phelan M. Ebenhack
Kolar's height and leaping ability make him an obvious red zone, 50/50-ball target. The only three-time All-American in Cyclones history won the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman) and he holds every tight end record in school history. My only real criticism is his blocking leaves a lot to be desired. Projected: Rounds 2-4
Phelan M. Ebenhack
Kolar's height and leaping ability make him an obvious red zone, 50/50-ball target. The only three-time All-American in Cyclones history won the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman) and he holds every tight end record in school history. My only real criticism is his blocking leaves a lot to be desired. Projected: Rounds 2-4
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Mike Caudill
Woods was rated a top-25 quarterback prospect in the 2017 recruiting class before switching positions. He tested through the roof athletically during the draft process, but he regressed as a blocker in 2021 despite his elite size and physical traits. He's still really raw, but he took a big step forward during his only season in Charlottesville — eight touchdowns in 11 games. Projected: Rounds 2-4
Mike Caudill
Woods was rated a top-25 quarterback prospect in the 2017 recruiting class before switching positions. He tested through the roof athletically during the draft process, but he regressed as a blocker in 2021 despite his elite size and physical traits. He's still really raw, but he took a big step forward during his only season in Charlottesville — eight touchdowns in 11 games. Projected: Rounds 2-4
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Rebecca S. Gratz
Ruckert made plays when his number was called, but the athletic tight end was seriously underutilized in Columbus — only saw 73 targets in four seasons. However, he's a bulldozer as a blocker in the run game and has advanced ball skills thanks to his background as a soccer goalie that could make him a legit red zone threat at the next level. Projected: Rounds 2-3
Rebecca S. Gratz
Ruckert made plays when his number was called, but the athletic tight end was seriously underutilized in Columbus — only saw 73 targets in four seasons. However, he's a bulldozer as a blocker in the run game and has advanced ball skills thanks to his background as a soccer goalie that could make him a legit red zone threat at the next level. Projected: Rounds 2-3
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Brynn Anderson
Likely's 1,513 receiving yards since 2020 are the most by a tight end in college football. The under-recruited former wide receiver had five touchdowns of at least 50 yards during his collegiate career. Projected: Rounds 3-5
Brynn Anderson
Likely's 1,513 receiving yards since 2020 are the most by a tight end in college football. The under-recruited former wide receiver had five touchdowns of at least 50 yards during his collegiate career. Projected: Rounds 3-5
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
John Hefti
Otton was underutilized as a pass catcher as a four-year starter despite being a disciplined route runner with excellent hands. He's an exceptional run blocker, especially on the move. Projected: Round 3
John Hefti
Otton was underutilized as a pass catcher as a four-year starter despite being a disciplined route runner with excellent hands. He's an exceptional run blocker, especially on the move. Projected: Round 3
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Morry Gash
Ferguson is a well-rounded prospect who can contribute as a blocker and receiver — he produced at least 30 receptions in all four seasons in Madison. Projected: Rounds 3-5
Morry Gash
Ferguson is a well-rounded prospect who can contribute as a blocker and receiver — he produced at least 30 receptions in all four seasons in Madison. Projected: Rounds 3-5
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Jae C. Hong
The lack of production was more about the Aztecs' run-heavy scheme than Bellinger. He features steady hands (zero drops as a senior), above average athleticism and natural ball skills on top of being an effective blocker in both the run and pass game. Projected: Rounds 4-6
Jae C. Hong
The lack of production was more about the Aztecs' run-heavy scheme than Bellinger. He features steady hands (zero drops as a senior), above average athleticism and natural ball skills on top of being an effective blocker in both the run and pass game. Projected: Rounds 4-6
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Tom R. Smedes
Turner is a converted wide receiver who ranked top five in the nation among tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. He's limited as a blocker, and likely always will be due to his lean frame. Projected: Rounds 5-7
Tom R. Smedes
Turner is a converted wide receiver who ranked top five in the nation among tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. He's limited as a blocker, and likely always will be due to his lean frame. Projected: Rounds 5-7
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Sam Craft
Jalen Wydermyer (Jr., Texas A&M, 6-3, 255)
Wydermyer was a productive three-year starter in College Station and needed only three years to become the school's all-time leader in receptions (118), receiving yards (1,468) and receiving touchdowns (16) among tight ends. He has showcased jump-ball talent and YAC potential, but he requires maturation as a blocker and it will be hard for teams to get past the catastrophe that was his pro day. Projected: Rounds 4-7
Derrick Deese Jr. (Sr., San Jose State, 6-3, 244)
Deese has impressive ball skills — he averaged 15.5 yards per reception in 2021 — and functional athleticism, while performing adequately as a blocker despite being undersized. The NFL pedigree doesn't hurt — his father was an offensive lineman who played 14 seasons with the 49ers and Buccaneers. Projected: Round 7/PFA
Sam Craft
Jalen Wydermyer (Jr., Texas A&M, 6-3, 255)
Wydermyer was a productive three-year starter in College Station and needed only three years to become the school's all-time leader in receptions (118), receiving yards (1,468) and receiving touchdowns (16) among tight ends. He has showcased jump-ball talent and YAC potential, but he requires maturation as a blocker and it will be hard for teams to get past the catastrophe that was his pro day. Projected: Rounds 4-7
Derrick Deese Jr. (Sr., San Jose State, 6-3, 244)
Deese has impressive ball skills — he averaged 15.5 yards per reception in 2021 — and functional athleticism, while performing adequately as a blocker despite being undersized. The NFL pedigree doesn't hurt — his father was an offensive lineman who played 14 seasons with the 49ers and Buccaneers. Projected: Round 7/PFA
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL
Jason Behnken
FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski catches a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL wild-card football game Jan. 16, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. No position in the NFL has undergone more changes to the style of player over the years than tight end. Long gone are the days of the blocking specialists who serve mainly as an extra offensive lineman. While guys like George Kittle, Travis Kelce and Gronkowski are excellent run-blockers, they are also outstanding receivers and major weapons on offense. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Jason Behnken
FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski catches a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL wild-card football game Jan. 16, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. No position in the NFL has undergone more changes to the style of player over the years than tight end. Long gone are the days of the blocking specialists who serve mainly as an extra offensive lineman. While guys like George Kittle, Travis Kelce and Gronkowski are excellent run-blockers, they are also outstanding receivers and major weapons on offense. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
