RADIO
We have officially turned the page to April, which means the 2024 NFL Draft is this month. It's still far too early to tell which teams will target specific players, but we do have a strong sense of major areas of weakness for individual teams.
With that in mind, we can explore some of the teams that will pursue additions at the tight end position when the draft kicks off on April 25. Tight ends aren't typically taken within the first few picks of the draft, but we should still see at least one name off the board in the first round, plus several more in Rounds 2-7.
Let's explore our 2024 mock draft for tight ends. Note that this mock draft does not include any trades.
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Round 1
Pick #18: Cincinnati Bengals select Brock Bowers (Georgia)
In terms of pure talent, Bowers ranks higher than 18 in this year's draft. However, the leader among the 2024 class of tight ends will likely be overshadowed by top-tier quarterbacks, wide receivers, offensive linemen, and pass rushers.
As a result, Bowers will fall into the Bengals' laps at 18 overall. Cincinnati did agree to new deals with both Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample this offseason, but those are only temporary fixes. Bowers gives the contending Bengals a star for many years to come.
Brock Bowers seemed excited about his interview with the Cincinnati Bengals. Can’t blame him wanting to work with Joe Burrow and the WR corps. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/jXy0RNILrB
— Jordan Sigler (@JordanSig) February 29, 2024
Round 2
Pick #37: Los Angeles Chargers select Ja'Tavion Sanders (Texas)
The Chargers let Gerald Everett walk this offseason, replacing him with Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst. Those are two veteran players, and Los Angeles would benefit from injecting some youth into the position.
Sanders is a vertical threat with reliable hands. He can add an extra element to the Chargers' offense, which is necessary after they parted with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams last month.
Round 3
Pick #86: Houston Texans select Cade Stover (Ohio State)
Stover and the Texans are a match made in heaven. The Ohio State product was C.J. Stroud's tight end in college, and he also met with the Texans at the NFL Scouting Combine. Furthermore, at the Combine, he mentioned that he'd love to play with Stroud in the pros.
Stover would instantly slot in as the Texans' backup tight end behind Dalton Schultz. Catching passes is what he does best, but he has shown that he can be a capable blocker, too.
“Unbelievable meeting…It would mean so much to go back with C.J.”
Cade Stover, tight end prospect from Ohio State, met with the #Texans last night. Would love to reunite with his former teammate C.J. Stroud. pic.twitter.com/EZAY2APNhq
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) February 29, 2024
Pick #95: Kansas City Chiefs select Theo Johnson (Penn State)
The Chiefs would be wise to invest a mid-round pick in a young tight end. Johnson comes from a highly regarded Penn State program and is a solid route runner who makes contested catches. He's also a respectable blocker in the passing game.
Make no mistake: the Chiefs love what they have in their pairing of Travis Kelce and Noah Gray. However, Kelce is 34 and Gray might not have what it takes to be a top tight end. Johnson, on the other hand, is worth a Day 2 flier.
Round 4
Pick #107: New York Giants select Ben Sinnott (Kansas State)
The Giants currently have Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger in their tight end room, but there's been some speculation about Waller's potential retirement. Even if the veteran does return for another year, New York would be wise to spend a Day 3 pick on a developmental tight end who could become an impact player down the road.
Some analysts view Sinnott as high as the second tight end in this draft. He had an impressive Scouting Combine performance and runs routes well. He needs to improve the blocking aspect of his game.
Pick #135: San Francisco 49ers select Erick All (Iowa)
Iowa is notorious for pumping out talented tight end prospects. While All isn't a top-rated prospect, he still flashed impressive potential with decent hands, speed, and athleticism after the catch. He does need to improve as a blocker, and he's also a bit of a risk coming back from a torn ACL in 2023 (and back surgery in 2022).
San Francisco already has one Hawkeye tight end in George Kittle, and they'd benefit from adding All, giving them another physical threat offensively.
Erick All…4.5 (MAYBE…high 4.4) speed?
Pulling away from Kalen King who ran a 4.52 at his Pro Day. ALL the ALL in Dynasty Rookie Drafts. pic.twitter.com/lijxVT6ysO
— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) March 30, 2024
Round 5
Pick #136: Denver Broncos select Jaheim Bell (Florida State)
Bell offers impressive versatility and, for the most part, has showcased reliable hands. He's physical and athletic after the catch, so he can make plays happen with the ball in his hands. Like several of the names in this mock draft, though, he needs to become a better blocker before he can be trusted as a starting tight end.
Sean Payton seems to like Adam Trautman, but he's one of the weaker TE1 in the league. Bell would provide the Broncos with depth and could compete to be their top tight end by the end of the season.
Pick #142: Carolina Panthers select Jared Wiley (TCU)
The modern Panthers don't seem to place a major emphasis on the tight end position, which is why they didn't commit a Day 1 or Day 2 pick to the position. However, they still need to fill their roster and would certainly benefit from injecting more youth into their offense.
Wiley has reliable hands and enough physicality to make catches downfield. With that said, he lacks shiftiness and therefore won't create much deception in his routes.
For a 6'6 250lb Tight End TCU's Jared Wiley can MOVE pic.twitter.com/FDq60JQ17c
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) March 25, 2024
Pick #152: Washington Commanders select Tip Reiman (Illinois)
Reiman is a big, physical tight end who turned in solid results at the Scouting Combine. He's an impressive blocker with enough strength to take on opposing defenders. He isn't a great route runner but makes up for these deficiencies with his physicality, allowing him to make contested catches.
With the Commanders expected to bolster their offense by drafting a quarterback at second overall, giving their rookie signal-caller a reliable weapon who can make an impact as a blocker and a receiver will be huge.
Round 6
Pick #190: New Orleans Saints select Brevyn Spann-Ford (Minnesota)
The Saints lack star power at tight end. While Spann-Ford isn't a star, he would provide New Orleans with depth and could consistently work his way into two tight end sets. He has a large frame and moves downfield quicker than expected. With that said, he lacks physicality and doesn't create much separation from defenders.
When you get to the sixth round, you are looking for the best player available but also emphasize filling holes near the end of the roster. Spann-Ford makes plenty of sense here.
Pick #198: Miami Dolphins select Dallin Holker (Colorado State)
The Dolphins added Jonnu Smith this offseason. That type of move isn't considered a "splash," and neither is drafting Holker, but adding depth at the position is still very important.
Holker is a big-bodied player who uses his strength and physicality to catch contested passes. He's a solid pass blocker with good balance and athleticism. The Colorado State product does show clear deficiencies when it comes to run blocking and route running.
Round 7
Pick #240: Carolina Panthers select Trey Knox (South Carolina)
Knox was once a potential Day 2 pick but has seen his value plummet so much that there's a chance he could go undrafted. That seems like a bit of a stretch, so this mock has him selected in the seventh round where the Panthers decide to invest in his potential ceiling. A former wide receiver, Knox boasts good acceleration, separation, and blocking skills.
Carolina needs more pass-catchers, so he'll compete to make the roster despite being the second tight end drafted by the Panthers.
Trey Knox is a big body TE that can move with ease after the catch. pic.twitter.com/xUqNYdwULl https://t.co/Ozlk5aIUBr
— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) March 30, 2024
Pick #246: Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Devin Culp (Washington)
Culp ran a strong 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, perhaps boosting his stock from high-end undrafted free agent to surefire Day 3 pick. He's a poor run blocker and doesn't have the best hands, but he's certainly capable of moving downfield and gaining separation from his defender. He also boasts impressive athleticism and body control.
At this point in the draft, all 32 teams would be interested in adding depth to their tight end room. Ultimately, Tampa Bay pulls the trigger on Culp, making him the last tight end selected.
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