_**Editor’s note:** The U-T’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL Draft (April 23-25). Here are his top 10 tight ends, plus “bonus” players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:_
**1\. Kenyon Sadiq (Jr., Oregon, 6-foot-3, 241 pounds)**
Sadiq was the fourth-ranked athlete in the 2023 class. A 4.39 40-yard dash at 241 pounds is cartoon stuff for the position, and the jump numbers at the combine only reinforce it. It all adds up to a Relative Athletic Score of 9.52, which is surprisingly only sixth in an athletically gifted tight end class. Sadiq is a legitimate field-stretcher who can line up attached, in the slot, split out wide, or in the backfield, which gives play-callers real flexibility. Plus, he has legit upside as a run-blocker in the pros. The questions are about size, hands, consistency, and whether his production always matched the traits. **Projected:** Round 1
**2\. Eli Stowers (Sr., Vanderbilt, 6-4, 239)**
Stowers’ background as a quarterback shows in his route awareness and understanding of defensive coverage. The Commodores frequently used last year’s John Mackey Award winner detached from the formation, where he worked seams and intermediate routes. Stowers is a modern NFL tight end: matchup-driven, explosive (9.42 RAS), and production-proven. His performance at the combine likely added helium to his draft stock — a 4.51 40 paired with a tight end vertical jump record (45½-inches). Stowers also won the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, also called the “Academic Heisman.” **Projected:** Rounds 2-3
**3\. Max Klare (Jr., Ohio State, 6-5, 246)**
The former three-star recruit spent three years at Purdue before transferring to Columbus. Klare earned All-Big Ten honors with both the Boilermakers and Buckeyes. He fits the profile of a modern receiving tight end. The Purdue tape shows he can be a featured target, and he showcased role discipline in a crowded offense his year with Ohio State. Klare’s not yet a consistent in-line blocker, and he’ll need more functional strength to hold up against NFL edge defenders. Early on, his value is as a red-zone target who can create matchup problems. **Projected:** Rounds 2-3
**4\. Justin Joly (Sr., NC State, 6-3, 241)**
After two seasons at Connecticut, the former two-star wide receiver joined the Wolfpack in 2024. Joly led both programs in receiving as a sophomore and senior. His calling card is winning routes like a receiver and finishing like a power forward in the red zone. Joly’s seven touchdowns last season were second most among FBS tight ends (behind Sadiq). He understands spacing, sells stems, and has a feel for when to throttle down versus zone. He has the speed to work vertically, but is unproven as a deep threat. He’s a competitive blocker, especially downfield, but he’ll need to get stronger in the pros. **Projected:** Rounds 3-4
**5\. Oscar Delp (Sr., Georgia, 6-5, 245)**
Delp has the athletic profile (9.83 RAS), pedigree and versatility teams covet. He mixed in with Brock Bowers his first two seasons in Athens and was expected to become more of a featured part of the Bulldogs’ offense after Bowers leveled up. The production never fully matched the talent, and a foot fracture added medical questions this spring. Delp ran a 4.49 40 at Georgia’s pro day, with some scouts clocking him as fast as 4.44 seconds. I’m thinking his foot is fine. The skill set is still good enough to land him in the middle of Day 2. **Projected:** Rounds 2-4
**6\. Sam Roush (Sr., Stanford, 6-6, 267)**
Roush was the 12th-ranked tight end in the 2022 class. He’s big, productive enough, and already carries the profile of a run-game asset (rugby background shows) with the athletic testing (9.94 RAS) to convince teams there’s more pass-game ceiling here than the box score might suggest. His hands and contested-catch consistency still need work. Roush also played over 500 snaps on special teams for the Cardinal, and was one of just six prospects at the combine (out of 319) to compete in every drill. His maternal great uncle was Merlin Olsen, a 14-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle and Pro Football Hall of Famer (not to mention a decent actor). **Projected:** Rounds 3-4
**7\. Marlin Klein (Jr., Michigan, 6-6, 248)**
The former three-star recruit grew up in Cologne, Germany, where he played soccer and basketball before moving to the United States at age 15. Klein looks the part of an NFL tight end with his length, frame and movement skills (9.04 RAS). There’s enough developmental upside here to intrigue teams looking for a TE2 with room to grow. He flashes as a blocker and can stretch the seam, but the receiving résumé is dripping with promise, not polish. Although Colston Loveland was a better prospect, Klein is similar in that the Wolverines’ offense wasted his potential. **Projected:** Rounds 4-5
**8\. Dae’Quan Wright (Sr., Ole Miss, 6-4, 246)**
After two seasons with Virginia Tech, the former three-star recruit joined the Rebels for his final two years of eligibility. Wright was highly productive last year, earning second-team All-SEC recognition despite dealing with an injured shoulder all season. He wins as a receiver first, using burst and body control to create value up the seam and in space. He’s not the kind of tight end you want living at the point of attack, but he features vertical juice and YAC ability. Wright’s blocking technique and route refinement both need development. Only Evan Engram has more receiving yards for a tight end (1,029) in Ole Miss history. **Projected:** Rounds 5-6
**9\. Michael Trigg (Jr., Baylor, 6-4, 240)**
Trigg was the fourth-ranked tight end in the 2021 class (one spot behind Brock Bowers). He spent one year at USC before following Jaxson Dart to Ole Miss, and eventually ending up in Waco for his final two seasons. He can threaten linebackers down the seam, track the ball and create after the catch, but he’s still more big slot than true in-line answer. The blocking, drops and effort consistency are why his range is so wide. Trigg’s younger half-brother, Mykel Williams, played defensive line at Georgia and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round (No. 11) last year. **Projected:** Rounds 4-7
**10\. Eli Raridon (Sr., Notre Dame, 6-6, 245)**
Raridon was the fifth-ranked tight end in the 2022 class. He has the frame NFL teams want and enough movement skill (9.46 RAS) to sell as a three-down option if the medicals check out. He gives you size, hands, and legitimate in-line value, but he’s still developing as a route runner and how teams grade the two ACL tears will determine whether he ends up going on Day 2 or 3. **Projected:** Rounds 3-5
**11\. Tanner Koziol (Sr., Houston, 6-6, 247)**
The former two-star recruit began as a wide receiver before transitioning to tight end in his first year at Ball State, where he was a three-time All-MAC honoree. Koziol joined the Cougars last season, and earned first-team Big-12 recognition while leading all FBS tight ends in receptions (74). His size, athleticism (9.58 RAS) and production will get him long looks from teams searching for a pass-catching complement at the position. He offers red-zone appeal and a catch-radius target, though his blocking profile limits the ceiling. **Projected:** Rounds 5-6
**12\. Jack Endries (Jr., Texas, 6-5, 245)**
The former three-star recruit spent three years at Cal, but after Fernando Mendoza transferred to Indiana, Endries hopped in the portal and found a new home in Austin last season. He is a smooth, reliable receiving option who projects well as an F tight end or move piece in a modern passing game. The hands and route feel give him value, even if his in-line blocking won’t be the reason he gets drafted. Endries has enough speed to challenge seams (8.87 RAS) and enough ball skills to win in traffic. **Projected:** Rounds 3-5
**13\. Matthew Hibner (Sr., SMU, 6-4, 251)**
After helping Michigan win the 2023 national championship, the former four-star recruit jumped into the transfer portal after struggling to find offensive snaps in four seasons at Ann Arbor. Hibner found a home with the Mustangs. He helped himself in the pre-draft process because the testing (9.25 RAS) backed the athlete on tape, including a 4.57 40 and 37-inch vertical at the combine. There’s a functional floor because he can contribute as a blocker and on special teams (over 700 career snaps), but he still needs refinement as a route runner to become more than depth. **Projected:** Rounds 4-7
**14\. RJ Maryland (Sr., SMU, 6-4, 236)**
The former four-star recruit was an immediate contributor for the Mustangs, catching six touchdowns as a true freshman and earning first-team All-ACC recognition as a sophomore. An ACL injury derailed his momentum the following season and impacted his senior year as well. But he produced the second-fastest 40-yard dash (4.51) among tight ends at the combine (behind Sadiq). Maryland is built more like a jumbo receiver than a true Y tight end, and that’s both the appeal and the concern. He can stress coverage and create after the catch, but teams will need a clear vision for how to use him. Maryland’s father, Russell, was a two-time national-champion defensive tackle at Miami (1986-90), and drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in 1991. The elder Maryland played 10 seasons in the NFL and was a part of three Super Bowl championships with the Cowboys. **Projected:** Rounds 6-7
**15\. Joe Royer (Sr., Cincinnati, 6-5, 247)**
Royer was the 14th-ranked tight end in the 2020 class, and spent four years at Ohio State before joining the Bearcats in 2024. He’s physical, competitive, and gives you some pass-catching upside with enough blocking toughness to stick, but the route tree is still pretty basic and the lack of pre-draft testing leaves a little more projection than teams would prefer. Still, after battling injuries with the Buckeyes, he started all 25 games at Cincinnati the past two seasons, breaking Travis Kelce’s single-season school record for receptions by a tight end with 50 his junior season. **Projected:** Rounds 3-5
**16\. Will Kacmarek (Sr., Ohio St., 6-5, 261)**
Kacmarek registered 23 sacks as a defensive end in high school, and was a former two-star recruit who spent three years at Ohio before joining the Buckeyes in 2024. He’s dependable, physical and comfortable doing the ugly work. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better blocker in this group. Athletic limitations may cap his receiving ceiling, he had only 27 targets in two seasons at Ohio State, but those looks resulted in 23 receptions (and zero drops). **Projected:** Rounds 4-7
**17\. Riley Nowakowski (Sr., Indiana, 6-2, 250)**
A preferred walk-on at Wisconsin, Nowakowski began as a linebacker in 2020, while seeing fullback snaps on the scout team. He moved to offense full-time in 2021, and then to tight end in 2022, before joining the Hoosiers last season, becoming one of the unsung heroes of their run to a national championship. Nowakowski was chosen team captain with both the Badgers and Indiana. He’s undersized for the position, but he plays with the kind of grit and versatility that can earn him a job as an H-back, fullback hybrid or core special teamer. His margin for error is small, but the utility is real. **Projected:** Rounds 5-7
**18\. Nate Boerkircher (Sr., Texas A&M, 6-5, 245)**
Boerkircher passed on Division II offers out of high school to walk on at Nebraska, where he spent five years before joining the Aggies last season. He’s athletic (8.90 RAS), plays with edge, works through the whistle, and has just enough sneaky receiving ability to avoid being a total one-note player. His value is rooted in trench work and special teams potential — almost 500 career snaps and played on kick-return coverages last season. Boerkircher only had 19 receptions in his collegiate career. He turns 25 in September. **Projected:** Rounds 4-5
**19\. Carsen Ryan (Sr., BYU, 6-3, 255)**
After two seasons at UCLA, the former three-star recruit entered the transfer portal and returned home, signing with Utah in 2024 before transferring to Provo for his final season of eligibility. Ryan tied for the sixth-most receiving yards (620) among FBS tight ends with the Cougars, earning an 82.6 receiving grade from Pro Football Focus (fourth among tight ends with at least 40 receptions). He has enough all-around competence and functional athleticism (9.28 RAS) to make teams take a late-round look. **Projected:** Rounds 6-7
**20\. Jaren Kanak (Sr., Oklahoma, 6-2, 234)**
Kanak was the sixth-ranked athlete in the 2022 class, and spent his first three seasons in Norman at linebacker after he was a decorated dual-threat quarterback in high school. Kanak is more of a hybrid chess piece than a conventional tight end, and that will either intrigue a creative staff or push him off the board entirely. The athletic background is interesting, but the blocking deficiencies and the overall learning curve make him more of a project. His extensive special teams experience could be his saving grace. Kanak was also a standout athlete on his high school track team, and set a personal best of 10.37 seconds in the 100 at 210 pounds. **Projected:** Round 7-PFA
**21\. John Michael Gyllenborg (Sr., Wyoming, 6-6, 249)**
The former three-star recruit didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school. Gyllenborg earned second-team All-Mountain West honors with the Cowboys as a junior, and was selected team captain his senior season. He’s still more clay than sculpture. He has the frame and enough flashes to warrant a late-round investment from a team willing to develop him. Gyllenborg’s blocking reliability is still a concern. He’s better downfield than in-line. He’s also missed time with hamstring, high-ankle sprain and collarbone injuries the last two seasons. Regardless, size and athleticism (9.78 RAS) like this will always buy time. **Projected:** Rounds 6-7
**22\. Seydou Traore (Sr., Mississippi St., 6-4, 244)**
The former three-star recruit was born in France, but raised in London before moving to the states his senior year of high school to maximize his football potential. Traore earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors his sophomore season at Arkansas State before transferring to Starkville. He is a classic late-round “move piece” bet with a body type and athleticism (9.42 RAS) teams like to gamble on. He offers size-speed mismatch potential and alignment versatility. Traore’s blocking profile and route-runner fluidity still need work, but he only started playing 11-man football six years ago. **Projected:** Rounds 6-7
**23\. Khalil Dinkins (Sr., Penn St., 6-4, 251)**
Dinkins is a classic late-round blocking tight end with enough athletic ability to at least keep the developmental door open. He never became a major receiving piece at Happy Valley, but that’s more on the coaching staff than him. He’s physical, willing in the run game and tested well enough to give himself a chance as a TE3 who earns his keep the hard way. Seven of his 37 career receptions went for touchdowns, and he competed in every drill at NFL combine (one of just six prospects to do so). Dinkins’ father, Darnell, went undrafted in the 2000 NFL Draft and played minor league football before signing with the New York Giants in 2002 and carving out an eight-year NFL career. **Projected:** Round 7-PFA