2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 5 players at each position
By Jakob Ashlin
2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Tight end
819. . . . Michael Mayer. 1. player
Mayer is the total package. As a receiver, he broke the following school records at Notre Dame:
- Most all-time receptions by a tight end (180)
- Most all-time touchdowns by a tight end (18)
- Most receptions in a single season by a tight end (71)
- Most receiving yards in a single season by a tight end (840)
- Most receptions in a single game by a tight end (11)
Furthermore, he led all FBS tight ends (minimum 25 targets) in contested catches (17).
Michael Mayer: 17 contested catches last season
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 21, 2023
Led all Tight Ends☘️ pic.twitter.com/fwTChCJD5e
As a blocker, he posted an 82.1 PFF run block grade, which was fourth among FBS tight ends.
He is a plug-and-play prospect.
843. . . . Dalton Kincaid. 2. player
Kincaid has a case to be the best receiving tight end in the draft. Last season, he had 70 receptions for 890 yards (second-most among FBS tight ends) and nine touchdowns.
Kincaid did not participate in drills at the combine, but his speed and athleticism show up on tape.
He had 23 receptions of 15+ yards, which led all Power 5 tight ends. Over the last two seasons, he recorded only two drops on 138 targets.
Kincaid will need to add strength. He is not a great run blocker and could be utilized as a slot receiver early in his NFL career.
814. . . . Darnell Washington. 3. player
Washington is a monster in the run game. He stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 264 pounds. On this play, he even contains Will Anderson Jr.:
Darnell Washington vs Will Anderson pic.twitter.com/3Rnci9FgPR
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) January 18, 2023
Despite being primarily known for his blocking ability, there is untapped receiving potential here. He recorded a 4.08-second 20-yard shuttle at the combine, which led all tight ends.
More importantly, he had the biggest wingspan (83.75 inches) and second-largest hands (11 inches) for a tight end in combine history.
Georgia TE Darnell Washington has the biggest wingspan and second-largest hands ever for a tight end at the NFL Combine.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 4, 2023
player. 878. . . . Sam LaPorta. 4
LaPorta showed out at the combine. He was a top-three performer at his position in the 40-yard dash (4.59 seconds), three-cone drill (6.91 seconds), and 20-yard shuttle (4.25 seconds).
Last season, LaPorta was able to produce numbers, despite playing in an abysmal Iowa offense. The Hawkeyes ranked 123rd in the FBS in points per game (17.7), and LaPorta hauled in 58 receptions for 657 yards and a touchdown.
. . Luke Musgrave. 5. player. 832.
Musgrave is a high-upside dice roll. In 2021, he had 22 receptions for 304 yards and a touchdown. That is fine, but he did not exactly light up the Pac-12, either.
In 2022, Musgrave took a leap forward. In two games, he had 11 receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown. Then, he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Musgrave has the physical tools to be an elite offensive weapon. He is 6-foot-6 and 253 pounds. He ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash (fourth among tight ends). He averaged a tantalizing 15.4 yards per reception. His 1.54-second 10-yard split led all tight ends and was the 12th-best mark at his position in combine history.
There is a chance that it could all come together.
Honorable mentions: Will Mallory, Tucker Kraft, Davis Allen
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