DRAFT TRACKER 2026

A versatile tight end with a shredded physique and alluring potential as a volume target, Sadiq’s route tree will be full of branches. His athleticism and break quickness should allow him to uncover against man coverage on all three levels. He’s talented after the catch, with the ability to make things easier for play-callers and quarterbacks looking to move the sticks. He has the body control and hand strength to win contested catches but will occasionally allow balls to hit the ground on lower-difficulty plays. He’s adequate as a blocker, giving good effort in-line and locating and landing on linebackers as a move blocker. Teams looking to diversify their passing game options with a talented pass-catching tight end could make Sadiq a priority.

Highly athletic, pass-catching tight end capable of earning volume targets on the pro level. Klare can live beyond the typical targeted depth for most tight ends thanks to his route inventory and ability to generate separation across the field. He’s best from the slot but can widen out when a matchup presents itself. Hands and ball-tracking are below average but his production could make teams forget the drops. He improved as a run blocker as the season progressed, but “functional” might be the finish line there. In a league craving impact tight ends, Klare has a chance to inject life into an offense hunting mismatches.

In a draft landscape full of pass-catching tight ends, Roush stands out as one of the few plug-and-play “Y” tight ends (in-line blocking TE) available. He can make cut-off blocks in zone and combo blocks in gap schemes. He holds his own in pass protection, too. As a receiver, he’s not stiff, but he lacks elusiveness underneath. He needs to apply more of his tough playing style to win combat catches and expand his role beyond run blocker/zone beater. While his catch production might draw questions, his size, toughness and pro-ready blocking profile could push him into Day 2 consideration.

Stowers is an explosive quarterback convert with just three years at the tight end position. He’s an excellent athlete with long arms but needs to keep filling out his frame. He’s a natural pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and massive run-after-catch talent. While his route-running and contested-catch ability need work, he excels at moving the chains on screens/short catches. He has the speed to threaten downfield against linebackers. His run-blocking ceiling might be low, but his traits create above-average potential as a pass-catching "F" tight end, fitting the growing trend of utilizing two- and three-tight-end sets more heavily.

Skip the stat page for Boerkircher because what he offers won’t be found there. He has average size and strength but compensates with willingness as a blocker and a taste for contact that isn’t always easy to find. He can line up in-line, land on targets in space and finish his blocks. Despite pedestrian production over five seasons, his tape shows an ability to challenge man coverage, secure contested catches with sticky hands and accelerate through contact as a runner. He’s flown under the radar but projects as an alignment-versatile combo tight end with the talent to start in the NFL.

Undersized pass-catcher with the ability to expand the route tree and challenge man coverage around the field. Joly still needs to polish his route-running but he has the footwork and athletic traits to uncover. He doesn’t catch with much hand extension and fights throws on occasion but he makes up for it with impressive body control/catch toughness. His effort and strain as a blocker need to improve. Joly has the ability to contribute as a moveable “F” tight end.

Projects as a “Y” tight end with the ability to play and produce on all three downs. In the pros, Raridon might spend more time with his hand in the ground than he did at Notre Dame. He blocks with solid technique and good tenacity but still needs to add muscle mass to his long frame. The Notre Dame passing attack opened him up on intermediate hash throws against zone but he also has sneaky build-up speed and ball skills to make catches down the field. Raridon needs more experience but is an ascending talent who should become the seventh Notre Dame tight end drafted over the last nine years.

Endries is a quarterback-friendly “F” tight end who still needs time in the weight room. His route-running can be monotonous and short-area separation uninspiring, but he’s tough, has a rebounder’s feel for boxing out defenders and is a consistent ball-winner even when coverage is draped all over him. He builds speed and is tougher on man coverage when allowed to stretch his legs on longer routes. Run-blocking is a roller-coaster ride of bad losses and quality wins. He lacks the play strength to block ends and whiffs in space on occasion, but he also gets his share of wins on split-zone, lead pulls and combo climbs to the linebacker. Endries should develop into an NFL starter.

Delp is a fluid athlete with the forward lean, short-area quickness and pure speed to beat linebackers on intermediate routes. His soft hands and smooth catch skills show up on the move, though his short arms and inconsistent finish through contact limit his reliability. He has enough toughness and technique to help in the run game as he improves his strength. Delp projects as a Day 3 prospect with three-down potential and untapped upside as a pass catcher.

Two-year starter at Cincinnati after three uneventful seasons at Ohio State. Royer is low-cut with a long torso and good foot quickness. He is better over the first two levels, with a more basic route tree allowing him to flow. He’s physical as a pass-catcher when needed and makes combat catches that others might drop. He shows enough toughness and technique as a blocker to expect him to improve in that area. Royer has TE2/3 potential if he continues to polish his game.

Kacmarek is an old-school, big-bodied “Y” tight end with size, strength and a field demeanor for run blocking. He needs to improve his pad level and play with more consistent hand placement to continue sustaining blocks on the next level. He drives his feet on contact to create displacement on down blocks and washes defenders into the pile as a zone blocker. Catch production will be sparse and come primarily when schemed or on short zone-beaters. Kacmarek’s lack of receiving value could limit his draft stock, but teams looking to prioritize their run-game improvement should be interested on Day 3.

Nowakowski’s focus on the task never wavers. He’s reliable and tough at the point of attack and holds up well in pass protection. He lacks height/length but is well-built and plays with better technique, strain and finish than many offensive linemen in this class. He became a productive pass-catcher in 2025, but he could struggle to separate or win the seam against NFL man coverage. His character and work ethic are outstanding, and he should help elevate run-game execution wherever an offense lines him up.

German-born prospect with average athleticism in space but above-average grit at the point. Klein’s tape shouldn’t be viewed as a finished product considering his relative lack of game experience in the sport. He needs to block with inside hands but displays a sturdy core and strong hands to do his job in-line. He builds speed with long strides and will catch what is provided. More muscle mass is needed, but Klein has a chance to become a Day 3 pick as a backup “Y” tight end.

Long, rangy tight end offering rare arm length, good speed and some alignment versatility. Trigg moves like a big wideout with surprising hip sink, foot quickness and fluid transitions to run after the catch. He wins vertically against linebackers and overwhelms defensive backs with size, high-point talent and massive hands that fuel highlight-reel catches. He’s still developing as a route-runner and struggles to finish catches through heavy contact. His frame and pad level limit in-line blocking, but he can wall off or stalk block from the slot. Trigg’s field-stretching potential and air space dominance in the red zone should lead to production as a pro.

Cuevas’ lack of ideal measurables could push some evaluators to slap him with a fullback label, but “combo tight end” fits best. He attacks blocking assignments with better toughness and technique than most in the class. He squares blocks and strains to sustain whether in-line, from the slot or as a lead blocker. Cuevas pairs burst/route knowledge to compete against man coverage over the first two levels and is a reliable target in traffic. He’s a well-rounded talent with the demeanor to become a productive pro.

Wright is a high-cut, tight-hipped tight end who can stretch the field vertically but lacks fluidity and bend for crisp route breaks from speed. He builds speed to threaten defenses, working the vertical limbs of the route tree. He can gain an advantage on linebackers when aligned outside. He’s big and strong enough to improve as a run blocker but needs better technique and commitment in that area. Wright projects as a Day 3 pick who should fight for a role as a TE3/4.

Villari is a multi-purpose move tight end with competitive spirit and appealing upside. He’s a former quarterback who has grown into his frame. He’s not strong enough to block in-line, but he has the wiring and effort to project as a space blocker from the slot. The route-running fundamentals are behind but coachable, while his hands and catch radius are already working for him. He has average speed and excellent catch toughness. Villari’s gadget versatility on direct snaps adds a fun twist, but refining his talent as a pass-catcher will determine his long-term value.

Sixth-year senior who broke out at SMU in his final two seasons after four quiet years with limited snaps and production. Hibner’s ankle tightness limits his change-of-direction quickness and ability to uncover underneath. He builds speed when working the seams and as an open-field runner. He has adequate hands and ball skills to make catches when contested. Hibner has the demeanor and tenacity for pro-blocking duties. However, he’s undersized and needs to work on his hand placement to improve his consistency of results. Hibner is a Day 3 talent with roster potential as a move tight end or true H-back.

Rogers is an adequate athlete who possesses the play strength and catch-point savvy to compete for a depth-level role. He needs to play with better short-area urgency on routes underneath, but he has the catch radius to bring in off-target and contested throws. While his effort and technique are inconsistent as a run blocker, he flashes the strength/body control to win reps. Rogers is still developing but should be in the conversation as a Day 3 pick.

Long, angular pass-catching tight end with impressive production throughout his career. Koziol’s monotonous route-running and average play speed lead to an excessive number of contested catches, but his soft hands and overall ball skills help to bring them in at an impressive rate. He appears to lack the technique and toughness necessary to become a functional run blocker against pro competition. Koziol has a chance to become a TE3, but he needs to fine-tune his route-running and play with better short-area quickness to stick around as a catch-only option.

An athletic move tight end, Gyllenborg has the traits to be picked on Day 3, even though some inconsistencies show up on tape. Gyllenborg has added good muscle on his frame but is more suited for blocking in space than handling in-line action due to a lack of consistent tenacity at the point of attack. He has the potential to attack defenses vertically from the slot but is in dire need of better route-running fundamentals and catch consistency. Gyllenborg’s upside might be worth a swing, but TE3/4 could be his ceiling.

The production doesn’t really speak to Dinkins’ explosive athleticism and potential if properly developed. He comes from NFL bloodlines and moves around the field with the fluidity of a big wide receiver. He ran a basic route tree and currently lacks the polish needed to maximize those routes. He’s quick with good build-up speed to attack across vertical patches of the field. Dinkins is a plus move blocker and willing in-line blocker, but he needs to get stronger to sustain at the point. He projects as a Day 3 pick with upside.

Kanak went from run-first high school quarterback to college linebacker, then flipped to tight end for his final season. He’s undersized and his run blocking isn’t on a functional level yet. As a receiver, there is plenty of room for improvement as a route-runner, but he already shows the toughness, hands and catch focus of a veteran at the position. A lack of size and versatility makes him a niche prospect, but the production, special-teams value and likely improvement as a route-runner could get him drafted.

Ryan profiles as a combination tight end with good size, adequate strength and plenty of aggression. He centers his blocks and works with inside hands, although he’s substantially more effective versus LBs/DBs in space than he is at duking it out in-line. He could use more polish as a route-runner to help create cleaner throwing windows, but he has the foot quickness to improve in that area. His hands are OK, but he needs to do a better job of securing catches through contact at the next level. Ryan has average speed but pretty good flow with the ball in his hands. His willingness as a blocker and ability to handle special-teams duties earn him a late-round projection.

With just three catches over his first two seasons at Utah, Bentley’s 48 grabs in 2025 came as a surprise. He has the build of an in-line tight end but mostly uses his size to occupy defenders instead of digging into blocks. A heavy portion of his catches came against zone, so he will need to refine his route running and contested-catch technique to prove he can win on his own. Bentley’s NFL future could depend on his ability to play with more tenacity and technique as a run blocker since his catch production from 2025 might not translate.

Combination tight end who makes up for his lack of ideal size with his ability to get open and make combat catches without flinching. McRee runs leveraged routes and finds a way to separate at break points. He’s instinctive in space and adds unexpected yardage with route adjustments. He’s fearless into contact but needs to improve spatial awareness to prevent taking unnecessary punishment. Fairly willing but needs to get stronger for NFL blocking duties. His injury history and subpar pro day testing work against him, so McRee might have to prove himself as a late pick or undrafted free agent.

Pass-catching tight end whose father, Russell, was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1991 NFL Draft and spent 10 years in the league. Maryland’s acceleration into the route is average and he coasts vertically instead of driving to separate. He runs routes with adequate leverage and breaks them off at crisp angles. He has the catch radius and body adjustments to make spectacular catches, but he needs to bring in contested tries at a higher rate. As a subpar run blocker, Maryland must elevate his play as a pass-catcher to compete for a roster spot as an “F” tight end.

Kitselman has good size and will play as a connected tight end on the next level. He needs to play with better hand placement and pad level, but he’s willing to put in work in-line or as a move blocker. He has above-average play speed in space and showed an ability to run a variety of routes. He has enough speed to stress man coverage into the second level. His separation underneath is average, though. Drops, double-catches and issues securing contested throws were evident in 2025. Kitselman has Day 3 draft value and could find work as a TE3/4.

Traore is a "F" tight end with good athleticism, average size and a need for development. His route-running is unfocused but fixable. He has soft hands and good body control from his background as a goalkeeper. While he has decent vertical speed, he must improve his separation burst out of breaks to uncover against man coverage. He’s not built for in-line blocking but has impressive moments when lead-blocking in space. Traore is a practice squad candidate with enough upside to find a roster spot down the road.

Fleischmann is a developmental prospect with above-average athleticism but below-average size and production. He doesn’t always play to his speed but that could change if he can find more reps. He can catch in traffic and through contact but needs to work on route fundamentals to better uncover. Fleischmann probably doesn’t have enough tape to warrant a draft pick, but a team might take a flier on his upside as a practice-squad project.

Sharp converted from quarterback to tight end at Southeastern Louisiana in 2022 before heading to Oklahoma (2024) and then to LSU (2025). He has some separation burst underneath but tends to fight the football and lacks consistency finishing through contact. He’s short-armed and slow to snap his hands into run blocks, allowing defenders to land first and quickly separate. He’s willing at the point but lacks core strength and is better suited to block on the move. He will have to shine in camp to have a chance to stick on a roster.

Bradley struggles to play through route contact and lacks footwork/short-area burst as a route-runner. He’s primarily a zone-beater underneath with value as a long target in the red zone. His athleticism will become a plus with a position change from wide receiver to tight end, but he’s not much of a blocker right now. Bradley will need to prove he can uncover at a better clip for consideration as a pass-catching tight end in the league.

H-back prospect who lacks important athletic traits. Franklin does his part in the run game, giving effort and blocking with decent technique. A lack of good muscle mass and length might make him better suited for work as a move blocker in the NFL. He doesn’t uncover with speed, quickness or route acumen and has a low success rate on contested catches.

Mason transferred from Missouri State to Wisconsin for his final college season and put together a solid showing with the Badgers. He lacks desired size and strength to play in-line and could be under consideration for H-back duties. He will need to improve his route-running and contested-catch consistency on the next level. Mason is not where he needs to be as a blocker, but he does have some decent reps to hang his hat on. He should get an opportunity in an NFL camp.