Part 1, WR/TE: Hallelujah, it's the Year of the Tight End

Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid and Darnell Washington may drive this All-American position into the next generation. Bob McGinn's 39th annual draft series begins exactly where it should.

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This is the 39th year that Bob McGinn has written an NFL Draft Series. Previously, it appeared at the Green Bay Press-Gazette (1985-’91), the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1992-’17), BobMcGinnFootball.com (2018-’19), The Athletic (2020-’21) and GoLongTD.com (2022-’23). Until 2014, personnel people were quoted by name. The series reluctantly adopted an all-anonymous format in 2015 at the request of most scouts. The 12-minute, 50-question Wonderlic test no longer is administered at the NFL combine but players generally took the test at spring 2022 timing days, all-star games and at pro days in March and April. The NFL average score is about 19.

Today, Part 1: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends.

It shouldn’t be like this. There’s no way that college football should be producing a better class of tight ends than wide receivers.

That certainly would appear to be the case in a draft without a legitimate No. 1-level wide receiver and with half a dozen or more projected starters at tight end.

“Tight end is the strongest position group in the draft,” an executive in personnel for an AFC team said. “Top to bottom. Cornerback is comparable. Those are the two. The wide receivers are awful, which is surprising with all the spread offenses and the way people throw it around.”

More wide receivers than tight ends populate NFL rosters than wide receivers, of course, because of the typical allotment of five to three. Simple math, along with the ever-increasing importance of wide receivers in a high-scoring league, help explain why there have been 13.3 wideouts selected among the top 100 selections in the past 15 drafts compared to 4.9 tight ends.

Don’t be surprised if the tight ends make a spirited charge to overtake the wide receivers when the top 100 plays out April 27-28.

“This may be the worst year for wide receivers I’ve seen,” said a personnel man with 30-plus NFL drafts behind him. “Most years, this is one of the outstanding positions. Most years, there’s an abundance of them. I do not know what happened here. All these guys are small. It’s not like the old days when they threw the ball deep so much. Now it’s more of a horizontal game with quick guys you hope can make a guy miss after the catch.”

Regarding the tight ends, the scout continued: “This is totally amazing. You usually have to struggle to find guys, but there are some interesting guys. They’re certainly as good as the Kittle’s and the Kelce’s, and people like that. It’s as good a group as I’ve seen in years.”

The 49ers’ George Kittle and the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce have been the best in the biz for years; the scout’s point was they came from humble beginnings. Eight tight ends already had been taken by the time Kittle landed at No. 146 in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. Kelce, No. 63 in 2013, was the fifth tight end off the board in his class.

My survey of 16 personnel men in the past few weeks asked them to rank the tight ends on a 1-to-5 basis, with a first-place vote worth five points, a second worth four and so on. Michael Mayer led with 10 firsts and 68 ½ points, followed by Dalton Kincaid (61, five firsts), Darnell Washington (40, one), Sam LaPorta (26 ½), Luke Musgrave (21), Tucker Kraft (11), Luke Schoonmaker (10) and Brenton Strange (two).

“There will be guys in the third, fourth, maybe even the fifth round that end up starting,” said an AFC exec. “I could see two going in the first. Then the third, to me, gets foggy. Darnell Washington tested like crazy but he didn’t play like that. He’s a maybe.”

If the first round includes three tight ends, it would be just the fourth with more than two in the last 50 years. Since the origination of the NFL-AFL common draft in 1967 there has never been more than three tight ends in the first round.

The five drafts with three first-round tight ends were:

• 1970: Steve Zabel, 6; Rich McGeorge, 16, and Raymond Chester, 24.

• 1973: Charle Young, 6; Paul Seymour, 7, and Billy Joe Dupree, 20.

• 1978: Ken MacAfee, 7; Ozzie Newsome, 23, and Reese McCall, 25.

• 2002: Jeremy Shockey, 14; Daniel Graham, 21, and Jerramy Stevens, 28.

• 2017: O.J. Howard, 19; Evan Engram, 23, and David Njoku, 29.

Six of the last 12 drafts have gone off without a tight end in the first round.

“I think there will be a big run between the mid-second and the mid-third,” said an AFC personnel man. “I think nine or 10 will be starters. Some of them are more F (detached), some are more Y (attached). There are a lot of good backup guys, too.”

The scouts’ poll at wide receiver reflected uncertainty. The first-place votes were split four ways, and 12 players received at least one mention.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba led with five firsts and 57 points, followed by Quentin Johnston (53, seven), Jordan Addison (48, three), Zay Flowers (43, one), Jalin Hyatt (17), Josh Downs (seven), Xavier Hutchinson (four), Cedric Tillman (four), Jonathan Mingo (three), Michael Wilson (two), Jason Brownlee (one) and Marvin Mims (one).

Not one scout spoke with conviction about any wide receiver assuming the role of a true No. 1 “out of the can,” as one AFC exec put it.

“None of them would have cracked the top group from last year,” another AFC personnel chief said. “The top four from last year were Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams. Christian Watson, in this group, would have been at the top probably. Watson is better than (Quentin) Johnston.”

Whoever leads off at wide receiver will become a member of the infamous first-wideout-taken club. By subjective analysis, over the past 25 drafts eight of the first-picked wide receivers were busts while four more were disappointments. The busts included David Terrell (8) in 2001, Charles Rogers (2) in 2003, Donnie Avery (33) in 2008, Darrius Heyward-Bey (7) in 2009, Justin Blackmon (5) in 2012, Tavon Austin (8) in 2013, Corey Coleman (15) in 2016 and Henry Ruggs (12) in 2020.

Milder disappointments were Kevin Dyson (16) in 1998, Peter Warrick (4) in 2000, Sammy Watkins (4) in 2014 and Corey Davis (5) in 2017.

“I guess it probably goes with all the other positions,” said a seasoned scout. “Look at the numbers. At every position half of them fail. But that’s a rough group there. That is bad. That’s scary.”

One of the 25, Calvin Johnson, sits in Canton. Others with four or more Pro Bowls are Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt, A.J. Green, Amari Cooper and Demaryius Thomas.

After remarking that “the Ravens, they can’t pick a receiver, the Patriots, they can’t pick a receiver,” a personnel man with more than two decades of scouting experience attempted to explain the failure rate among the lead wideouts.

“I think people rely on the 40 time just a bit too much,” he said. “It matters who your quarterback is. If you’re going to a team that doesn’t have a good quarterback, for the most part, that impacts the receiver. I also think some of the college offenses are not complex so there might be a learning curve for these guys coming into the league and recognizing coverages. And that (the Wonderlic test) very well could be (significant).”

Of the eight busts, six blazed the 40 in less than 4.4 seconds and their average score on the Wonderlic was just 14.5.

Based on my records, the 40 times and test scores were Terrell (19, 4.50), Rogers (10, 4.37), Avery (14, 4.37), Heyward-Bey (14, 4.28), Blackmon (22, 4.47), Austin (7, 4.30), Coleman (10, 4.38) and Ruggs (20, 4.24).

It would be hard to find fault with that scout’s assessment.

Offering a word of caution, another scout said, “The narrative’s been set on all these (wide receivers) on social media. If all these players go off in the first round it’s going to continue with that bust thing. I really don’t like the guys that are being talked about in the first round.”’

Here are the wide receiver and tight end rankings with full analysis from scouts and personnel men from across the NFL.

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WIDE RECEIVERS

1. JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA, Ohio State (6-0 ½, 197, 4.52, 1-2): Adam Thielen has fashioned an outstanding nine-year career with the Minnesota Vikings after signing as an undrafted rookie from Minnesota State Mankato. “I thought he was Adam Thielen,” one scout said, referring to Smith-Njigba. “He can get deep because of his route-running ability, whether it’s a double move or a little shake. His 40 was fast enough for me. He may be the most consistent out of the bunch. He can do some outside stuff, but he’s mainly best in the slot.” Caught 10 passes in seven games as a true freshman, exploded for 95-1,606-9 in 2021 and was limited to 60 snaps in the first two games last season when a hamstring injury ended his collegiate career. “I do like him,” said a second scout. “He can be a good pro. More in the vein of a big slot kind of guy. He catches the ball. He’s competitive. You just wonder if he has the top-end juice.” His shuttle-run times at the combine (3.93 short, 6.57 3-cone) were the best at the position. “I’m really concerned about his speed,” said a third scout. “The (4.52) is not real good nowadays, and I don’t think he plays that fast. He plays like 4.6 to me. He’s a really good player. I just don’t see that explosiveness.” His score of 14 on the Wonderlic test was the highest of the top four wideouts. “He’s one of the most overrated players in the draft,” said a fourth scout. “He’s got good hands, not great hands. He’s got good vision and run after but he doesn’t run away from anybody and he’s not particularly elusive. He can find holes in zones, and he’s tough. He’ll take a hit to make catch. I don’t see special traits. Has to be a slot. Not fast enough to play outside. I’d rather have (Zay) Flowers because he’s really fast and really good after the catch. Sounds like he might be a solid second-round pick, and I didn’t see that.” From Rockwall, Texas.

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2. JORDAN ADDISON, Southern California (5-11, 170, 4.48, 1-2): Third-year junior. “He’s as polished a route runner and player as you’ll find coming out of college,” one scout said. “This kid knows how to play the game. He plays it hard. He’s got courage, hands, speed. I can see why USC paid him to leave Pitt. But he is thin. You’re playing 17 games. It wears on you.” Took a lucrative NIL deal and departed Pitt after a 100-catch season in 2021. “He’s the modern-day mercenary,” a second scout said. “Biletnikoff winner at one school, leaves and follows the money to SC. Had a productive season. The reality is that he’s not very big. He’s probably fast enough. He is skilled, can play inside or outside. He’s probably a No. 2 (receiver). He’ll be in that support role rather than be the lead pony, so to speak.” Finished with 219 receptions for 3,134 yards, a 14.3-year average and 29 TDs. “He’s a nice player but he’s like a third-round pick,” a third scout said. “There’s no ceiling there. He just kind of is what he is. He’s a polished player. Runs good routes. He’s got some savvy. He’s a really natural catcher. But he’s not very explosive so he’s not going to be a playmaker. And he’s 170.” From Frederick, Md., the hometown of Vikings RB Chuck Foreman, one of the state’s greatest players.

3. QUENTIN JOHNSTON, Texas Christian (6-3, 210, 4.52. 1-2): Third-year junior with 29 starts in 32 games. “For a long, tall receiver he has little-man movement skills,” said one scout. “That really impressed me. He can drop his weight and get in and out of his cuts. Tracks the ball very well. My comparison was Tee Higgins. What makes him unique is his size and his athleticism. But he has drops (eight in 2022), which are a little bit of a concern. I don’t think it’s a full guarantee that he’s not going to be a bust.” Owns long arms (33 5/8 inches) and a vertical jump of 40 ½ inches. “Here’s the problem,” said a second scout. “He’s got speed, athletic ability. But in close quarters he struggles catching contact balls. If he’s clear and can make a clear-air catch, he is really good for a tall kid and can run after the catch. He’ll go first round, but I’d be a little bit skeptical.” Finished with 115 receptions for 2,190 (19.0) and 14 touchdowns. “I just don’t think he’s a very good player,” a third scout said. “He’s a big guy who doesn’t play big. Not a natural catcher. Doesn’t catch it outside his frame. Doesn’t use that size. Doesn’t play big after the catch. The one thing he does have, he can stop on a dime. All his RAC (run after catch) comes when he feels pursuit and catches the ball, slams on the brakes and reverses field. But he’s not overly creative or physical with the ball. I don’t see his game carrying over.” Compared by a fourth scout to Christian Watson and his inconsistent play at North Dakota State in 2021. From Temple, Texas.

4. ZAY FLOWERS, Boston College (5-9, 182, 4.38, 2): Three-star recruit from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was one of 14 children. “I’m not worried about that (family involvement),” said one scout. “He’s actually managed that really good in Boston. He loves the game of football. He understands his limitations. He’s competitive. He does have concentration, he does have hands and he knows how to run after the catch.” Four-year player, three-year starter. “He was down to like 160 at the end of the season,” said a second scout. “Doesn’t play big. He’s a really good kid but his family’s a drain on him. He doesn’t always do what he’s supposed to do. He loves football but he’s a guy you have to keep there like year-round. Dynamic speed, explosive after the catch, good ball skills. More of an outside guy because he’s fast. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him go top 50.” Finished with 200 receptions for 3,056 (15.3) and 29 TDs. “Good little player but there’s just nothing special to him,” said a third scout. “If you’re that small you better be explosive and have special speed. He’s a little possession guy without any magic.”

5. JALIN HYATT, Tennessee (6-0, 180, 4.38, 2): Third-year junior backed up in 2020-’21 before starting all 12 games in ‘22. “Straight-up speed guy,” one scout said. “Has no route development. He’s all gas and no brakes. He’s all about speed.” Showed off that speed with his glorious five-touchdown game Oct. 15 in the Volunteers’ 52-49 upset of Alabama. “After that everybody just threw him up there in the first round,” said a second scout. “But he’s so incomplete. He’s a one-trick pony but his trick is speed, and people are always going to gravitate to it. He played in the slot at Tennessee so he had a lot of favorable matchups. Almost uncovered at times so he was on a runway. Had a big year. If you look at the dimension of just taking the top off a defense, maybe he’s your guy. But getting in and out of breaks, being physical and not getting pulled and tugged and covered, he’s not any of those things.” Finished with 108 receptions for 1,769 (16.4) and 19 TDs, including 15 last season. “He’s not even the best receiver on his own team,” said a third scout. “He’s a complete one-trick pony. Yes, he can run. His deep speed is real, but that’s all it is. He's a total product of the system. He doesn’t have to get open. He’s not strong. He will struggle against physicality. He’s not very tough.” His broad jump of 11-3 led the wideouts. From Irmo, S.C.

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6. JOSH DOWNS, North Carolina (5-9, 174, 4.41, 2-3): Third-year junior, two-year starter. “Good athlete, good instincts, change of direction and speed,” one scout said. “Has all the things you look for, but he’s little. You’ve got to get past his size. I always had problems with little receivers. They’re hard to find (for a quarterback) sometimes.” Scored 29 on the Wonderlic, which was the highest of the top 10 at the position. “He’s a slot,” said a second scout. “Not the biggest guy but plays bigger than he is. You talk about a dynamic athlete that can run and has excellent feet. Good luck covering that guy in a short area. You’d need change of direction. Clean character.” Finished with 202 receptions for 2,483 (12.3) and 22 TDs. “He’s a good little player but just no explosiveness at all,” a third scout said. “Knows how to play. He’s quick. They scheme the hell out of him with all the little gadget stuff they do to get him open. He runs the herky-jerky little route stuff. Not a crisp route runner. He does his own thing kind of to get open, which doesn’t really transfer well up here.” From Suwanee, Ga.

7. JONATHAN MINGO, Mississippi (6-1 ½, 220, 4.39, 2-3): Started for 2 ½ seasons before a foot injury that required two operations shortened his ’21 season to six games. Played his best football as a senior. “He’s big and a bouncy athlete,” one scout said. “Can really catch it. For a guy that size he can get in and out of breaks. Kind of an underused player. He broke the school record for yards (247) in the game against Vandy (Oct. 8) and everyone started focusing on him and they started throwing to this kid (Malik Heath) on the other side. Tool-wise, he’s got a ton to like. High, high character guy. He’s just a guy everyone wants.” Vertical jump of 39 ½, Wonderlic of 20. “He does not play like that (4.39 speed) at all,” said a second scout. “He’s a big slot guy. You could play him outside but they put him in the slot to get him the ball quick. Strong, good route runner, good feel for the game, competes. Solid No. 2 type guy, maybe a No. 3. I think he goes in the third round. You like him. Just don’t overvalue the guy. He’s a decent player.” Finished with 112 receptions for 1,758 (15.7) and 12 TDs. “I thought he had some subtleness in his routes,” said a third scout. “He can really set up his routes and put the defensive back on his heels a little bit. He uses his body to weave and get (defenders) off balance. He’s got length (32 1/8 arms) so he can really go up and get the ball. He’ll go 30 to 45.” From Brandon, Miss.

8. CEDRIC TILLMAN, Tennessee (6-3 ½, 215, 4.56, 3): Caught merely eight passes in his first three seasons before breaking out in 2021. Missed six games in 2022 with an ankle injury that required surgery. “When Tillman played he (Jalin Hyatt) was the No. 2,” said one scout. “More of a possession receiver but a big, strong guy with strong hands. He is a good player. It’s just, is he fast enough?” Probably the biggest player on the wide-receiver board. “Like him,” said a second scout. “He’s a big possession rebounder guy.” Finished with 109 receptions for 1,622 (14.9) and 17 TDs. “He was a disappointment,” a third scout said. “People said, ‘Go look at last year’s stuff.’ He looked the same. Just a big possession guy. Not much separation. Not great routes. For a big guy his hands were just OK. He didn’t fire me up. I’d take Hyatt.” His father, Cedric (6-2, 204), played wide receiver for Denver and Jacksonville from 1992-’95, catching 87 passes for 1,227 (14.1) and seven TDs. From Las Vegas.

9. MARVIN MIMS, Oklahoma (5-11, 182, 4.39, 3-4): Third-year junior blossomed in 2022. “Third-rounder,” said one scout. “A No. 3 receiver. He’s a slot. More of a smooth guy. He’s not exceptionally quick or fast. Smooth and precise in his routes. Catches the ball well. Just more of a savvy guy.” Vertical jump of 39 ½. “He’s a solid backup,” a second scout said. “Might work his way in if you needed a slot. Great kid. Really good hands. Quick, and a good athlete. Maybe third round, but I like fourth better.” Finished with 123 receptions for 2,398 (19.5) and 20 TDs. “A quick guy,” a third scout said. “Fourth-round pick as a slot receiver. Liked his quickness, hands.” Wonderlic of 23. From Frisco, Texas.

10. TYLER SCOTT, Cincinnati (5-10, 177, 4.42, 3-4): Third-year junior hardly played as a freshman, made eight starts in ’21 and posted big numbers in ’22. “More of a No. 3ish kind of guy,” one scout said. “Kind of crafty. Good hands, great feel. Not really explosive or a top athlete but just one of those dudes that will make it as a slot and special teamer.” Vertical jump of 39 ½. “I could see him being in the third round because he’s been kind of an underground sleeper, for whatever reason,” said a second scout. “A lot of people in the scouting fraternity don’t know how good of a player he is.” Finished with 87 receptions for 1,439 (16.5) and 14 TDs. “He’s an enigma to me,” a third scout said. “I thought he was one of the fastest and most explosive players in the draft. I was highly disappointed in his 40 time. I thought he’d be like a 4.32 guy. That hurt him, and his hands aren’t consistent.” From Norton, Ohio.

OTHERS: Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State; Michael Wilson, Stanford; Nathaniel Dell, Houston; Trey Palmer, Nebraska; Rashee Rice, Southern Methodist; A.T. Perry, Wake Forest; Jayden Reed, Michigan State; DeMario Douglas, Liberty; Jason Brownlee, Southern Mississippi; Ronnie Bell, Michigan; Kayshon Boutte, Louisiana State; Charlie Jones, Purdue; Rakim Jarrett, Maryland; Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia; Parker Washington, Penn State.

Ed’s Note: You can get your copy of “The Blood and Guts: How Tight Ends Save Football” everywhere books are sold. Here’s an Amazon link.

TIGHT ENDS

1. MICHAEL MAYER, Notre Dame (6-4 ½, 252, no 40, 1-2): Third-year junior left South Bend with 180 receptions, third on the school’s all-time list. “He’s everything you want off the field,” said one scout. “Typical Notre Dame guy. Arm length (31 5/8) is a little shorter than you want. He’s strong and powerful in run and pass. Good hands. Uses his body well to separate. Smart with the ball in his hands to get good RAC. Consistent player. Can compete for a starting job right out of the gate. I’d take him in the back half of the first.” Comes from a family filled with outstanding athletes. “He’s probably the best,” said a second scout. “He’s the most complete. Good route runner. Functional blocker. Very good (catching) in contested situations. Has good enough speed. I don’t think he’s a vertical threat down the seam. I don’t know if he’ll be a Pro Bowler but solid across the board.” Several scouts said he was a better prospect than Cole Kmet, another ex-Irish TE who went to the Bears in the second round in 2020. “I go with him No. 1 just because of his background,” said a third scout. “He’s a very solid short receiver. What did guys like Travis Kelce (4.63) and George Kittle (4.55) run? One thing he has, he knows how to position his body. He gets open by doing that. Now vertically, he is not going to help you at all. He makes a block effort, but is inconsistent.” Finished with those 180 catches for 2,099 (11.7) and 18 TDs. Scored 23 on the Wonderlic. “I thought he would be a conventional type tight end but he’s not a very good blocker,” a fourth scout said. “If he was a better blocker you could live with that (4.77). He’s a tough kid but the blocking and block effort and the strength just aren’t there. His route-running skills are really marginal at this point. In fact, I think they’re poor for a kid coming out of Notre Dame and that level of a program.” From Independence, Ky.

2. DALTON KINCAID, Utah (6-3 ½, 244, no 40, 1-2): Suffered what was described as a thoracic injury Nov. 26 against Colorado and hasn’t played or worked out since. His physician, Robert Watkins, informed teams last week that Kincaid had been cleared for football without restriction. Two teams said they were OK with his back. “If you throw the injury thing into it, that’s a potential reason why he’d slide,” one scout said. “Just going on talent, he’s a first-rounder. The back? It just depends how teams graded him — if they passed him or failed him.” Began career at non-scholarship San Diego, starting 12 of 24 games, before transferring to Utah, where he started 23 of 31 games. “He’s a weapon in the pass game,” said a second scout. “He’s good enough as a blocker. He’ll try to do it. He might (run) in the high 4.6s but I’m not sure.” Began the season as the Utes’ No. 2 but moved up when senior starter Brant Kuithe suffered a season-ending knee injury Sept. 24. “He had a big senior year when the other one went down,” said a third scout. “His production increased even more. He’s not really a blocker. He’ll do enough to get in the way, but he’s a very skilled, savvy route runner. Without the back injury, I would have said he’s a definite first-rounder. With this back injury, where he’s been able to do nothing through the whole spring, he might slip a little bit.” Caught all 16 of the passes thrown to him for 234 yards Oct. 15 against USC. “Outside of (Trojans quarterback) Caleb Williams, he’d be the second-best player on the field,” a fourth scout said. “He played his ass off. If you turn on the first USC game you think he’s the best tight end in the country.” Scored 28 on the Wonderlic. “Probably the most legit pass-catching tight end mismatch guy,” a fifth scout said. “Not much of a blocker.” Finished with 175 receptions for 2,623 (15.0) and 35 TDs. “Former wide receiver has grown into an F tight end,” said a sixth scout. “Excellent hands, excellent route runner, excellent awareness in the passing game. Will not be a factor in the run game. He will give you position and steer; basically, he’s a get-in-the-way blocker. His greatest strength is his ability to catch the football and run after the catch.” From Las Vegas.

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3. DARNELL WASHINGTON, Georgia (6-6 ½, 268, 4.63, 1-2): Third-year junior made 27 starts in 36 games for the two-time FBS national champions. “He’s the freak of freaks,” one scout said. “You go to a game or practice and you see this big, lumbering, one-speed guy. Then you watch him at the combine and you see this kind of hidden burst. He’s got real speed. He’s not the kind of receiver that will run all the precision cuts underneath. He’ll be one of those down-the-seam and across-the-field and to-the-corner (route runners). Then he can capture the edge as a blocker because he’s like an extra tackle. Is he a finished product? No. Was he underutilized at Georgia? Absolutely. Somebody that really understands how to utilize him will make a really strong pro in two years. He’s got two children. Doesn’t know who his father is. He’s got like nine siblings, all different dads. But he’s intrinsically motivated to do this. I bought it. I don’t think the background will hold him back.” Finished with 45 receptions for 774 (17.2) and three TDs. “Very self-sufficient,” a second scout said. “Great kid. Love the person.” Lists Las Vegas as his hometown. Spent several years in a foster home. “He’s got the greatest chance to bust (among the tight ends),” said a third scout. “Because as big as the son of a buck is, he’s not a very good run blocker. He’s just a get-in-the-way, tie-you-up-because-of-his-size guy. He does have like 400-meter speed. Once he gets down the field he’ll use that size to displace the defensive backs and make a high-point catch.” His arms (34 3/8) and hands (11) were the largest among the tight ends.

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4. LUKE MUSGRAVE, Oregon State (6-6, 251, 4.56, 1-2): Suffered a season-ending knee injury after catching 11 passes for 169 in the first two games against Boise State and Fresno State. “In those two games he was totally amazing, and then he ran 4.56,” said one scout. “Now there’s limited exposure to him because he only played in a couple games. In those first two games I was shocked. He was talented. I had never heard much about the guy.” As a true freshman in 2019 he backed up in 12 games, then was a part-time starter in 2020-’21 before his abbreviated stint as the starter last fall. “He’s more of a complete player than Kincaid,” a second scout said. “That (Oregon State) was more of a pro-style offense. He helped himself down in Mobile (at the Senior Bowl).” Finished with 47 receptions for 633 (13.5) and two TDs. “If Kincaid slips then Musgrave, who’s more of a height-weight-speed prototype, might end up in the bottom of the first,” said a third scout. “He’s got real size, real speed. What he doesn’t have is the top-notch production. This year he was going to show that he could make contested catches but he got hurt. Very gifted. He’s just a well-rounded athlete that just hasn’t put a lot of football on tape yet.” Wonderlic of 30, the highest score among the top 12 tight ends. “I question his durability and the kid a little bit,” a fourth scout said. “Got length (32 5/8 arms), got speed, got hands.” From Bend, Ore.

5. SAM LaPORTA, Iowa (6-3, 246, 4.60, 2): Lightly recruited, he increased his production all four years. “He’s my favorite guy,” one guy said. “He has very good hands. He’s got to get better as a blocker but he’s more than willing as a blocker. He had a shitty quarterback (Spencer Petras). I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being one of the better tight ends if not the best in this class.” On the small side and bench-pressed just 16 times. “Struggled to sustain as a blocker in the run game,” a second scout said. “He’s a No. 2 tight end coming in with an arrow up if he could do anything as a blocker. He’s willing; he’s just not that good at it. Threat in the pass game. Sets up defenders well. Changes speeds, has good head fakes to get separation. He’s a mismatch against linebackers because of his speed and is physical against DBs.” Finished with 153 receptions for 1,786 (11.7) and just five TDs. “Very talented pass catcher,” a third scout said. “Runs excellent routes and has excellent hands. Great feel. Will be a play-making tight end. That offense was terrible, but you can tell he is a good athlete. He’s a starter based on what’s playing in the league, for sure.” From Highland, Ill. “Dallas Clark was bigger than this kid,” said a fourth scout. “He’s more Marv Cook. He just produces.” Wonderlic of 25.

6. LUKE SCHOONMAKER, Michigan (6-5, 252, 4.62, 2-3): Fifth-year senior waited until his fourth year to get on the field. “Similar to Mayer but maybe a notch below,” said one scout. “Really a solid, well-rounded player. Does everything well. More of a No. 2 tight end ideally but he could certainly be a No. 1 for some teams.” Injured both shoulders in 2022 and then pulled up lame at pro day (plantar fasciitis). “Big-body blocking tight end,” another scout said. “Uses his size and instincts well to get open in the passing game. Wish he was more productive there. He’s a No. 3 tight end with a No. 2 ceiling.” Finished with 54 receptions (35 in ’22) for 637 (11.8) and seven TDs. “Solid in everything,” a third scout said. “Good enough athlete. Got decent movement. Got a little quickness to his routes. Good hands when he’s free. Not a playmaker by any stretch with run after the catch. One of those guys, ‘This is my route, I’m open, I’m going to catch it, good to go.’ He gave block effort. Better on the edges than as an in-line guy, but he’ll try. He’ll stick his face in there. He’ll be a solid starter.” From Hamden, Conn.

7. BRENTON STRANGE, Penn State (6-4, 251, 4.66, 2-3): Fourth-year junior, 2 ½-year starter. “They lined him up all over the place,” one scout said. “Fullback, wing, tight end, slot. Does everything well. Not a special kind of talent. Probably the most aggressive and best blocker of all these guys. You see him just continually get after people and just bury you. He’s a tough ass. Not a lot of production but that offense is trash. You can tell he’s a good athlete. Not an ultra-playmaker or anything but he knows how to play, gives work as a blocker and is reliable catching the ball.” Finished with 70 receptions for 755 (10.8) and 11 TDs. His arms (31 1/8) were the shortest of the tight ends at the combine. “He’s a little stubby,” said a second scout. “He doesn’t have the greatest length. He could be a good F-H second tight end. I don’t think he’s a starter type because he doesn’t have great length.” From Parkersburg, W.Va.

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8. TUCKER KRAFT, South Dakota State (6-4 ½, 254, 4.73, 3-4): From the farming community of Timber Lake, S.D., where he was minimally recruited. “I like him just as well as Mayer,” one scout said. “He can be the best of the group. He catches and blocks. I actually think he’s a better all-around player than (Dallas) Goedert. He’s stronger physically.” Shared the position’s bench-press high (23 reps) with Strange and Zack Kuntz. “He’s not Goedert, who went in the second round (from the same school in 2018 to the Eagles),” said a second scout. “But he is a powerful runner. He makes people tackle him. He’s not the sharpest guy so he needs some individual coaching. But he’s got real potential to become something in a year or so.” Turned down a lucrative NIL deal to play for Alabama in 2022. “Kind of an average athlete but has good hands, good RAC, good strength and power,” said a third scout. “He can be a solid No. 2 (early). The vibe going into the year was big fish, small pond. He f---ing killed it at pro day. I could see somebody doing second round but I think he’ll get pushed down because of this deep class.” Finished with 99 receptions for 1,218 (12.3) and nine TDs. “At that lower level of comp he doesn’t stand out,” a fourth scout said. “Wasn’t productive, slow, not a great blocker for that level. He’s just OK.” Wonderlic of 27.

9. WILL MALLORY, Miami (6-4 ½, 238, 4.57, 3-4): Four-year starter. “Interesting guy,” one scout said. “He wasn’t as productive as the top guys. He wasn’t as good because the quarterback (Tyler Van Dyke) got hurt.” Comes from a family of college head coaches (grandfather Bill) and NFL assistants (father Mike, uncle Doug). “He’s a pass catcher, move-matchup tight end,” said a second scout. Finished with 115 receptions for 1,544 (13.4) and 14 TDs. Wonderlic of 25. “Fastest guy at the combine,” said a third scout. “I thought he got off the ball a lot better at the Senior Bowl than on the Miami tape. Reliable hands. Big enough frame to play on the line of scrimmage. He obviously can get down the seam with that 40. Mature beyond his years. High, high character guy. Everyone in the (Miami) building loves him. He’s going to play in the league for 10 years. If he taps out as a No. 2, he’ll be a good No. 2.” From Jacksonville, Fla.

10. JOSH WHYLE, Cincinnati (6-6 ½, 249, 4.70, 4): Fifth-year senior, three-year starter. “He’s tall and I like his athletic ability,” one scout said. “He’s a little straight-line. He ran fast but he had a little tightness. Caught the ball well. He definitely needs some work as a blocker. I liked him after the catch. He had a little bit of toughness with the ball. Maybe a second-round guy. He’s an NFL starter.” Finished with 88 receptions for 1,062 (12.1) and 15 TDs. Wonderlic of 22. “He’s one of the few guys that has some F and Y flex,” said a second scout. “He has shown some real receiving production and the ability to be a threat down the field. It’s just where you want him. He got up to 260 at the Senior Bowl but was back down to 249 (at pro day). I think he moves better when he’s in the high 240’s.” From Cincinnati.

OTHERS: Cameron Latu, Alabama; Davis Allen, Clemson; Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion; Blake Whiteheart, Wake Forest; Noah Gindorff, North Dakota State; Payne Durham, Purdue; Travis Vokolek, Nebraska.

THE SKINNY

UNSUNG HERO

Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State: One personnel man called him the best blocking wideout he scouted all season. Was compared by scouts to Allen Lazard, the former Cyclone and Packer known for his blocking. Former junior-college player with academic issues. Spent three seasons in Ames, setting the Cyclones’ career reception record (254). At 6-2, 204, he is a rugger catcher in traffic. Has a strong resume other than the bad 40 (4.59) he posted at the combine.

SCOUTS’ NIGHTMARE

Rashee Rice, WR, Southern Methodist: Has the size (6-0 ½, 205), speed (4.42), athletic ability (41-inch vertical jump) and production (233 receptions, 25 touchdowns) to be a high draft choice. At least one team, however, has removed him from its draft board because of behavioral issues. “He’s talented, but not a good dude,” one personnel director said.

SCOUT TO REMEMBER

Tom Heckert: Not long after the 2017 season, Heckert stepped away from his personnel job with the Denver Broncos because of his long battle with amyloidosis, a rare disease. He died in August 2018. He was 51. Heckert got his start as a scout for the Miami Dolphins in 1991 under his father, Tom Sr., who ran the personnel department for Don Shula. Heckert later worked as the Eagles’ general manager during the latter portion of coach Andy Reid’s tenure and as the Browns’ GM under Mike Holmgren. “He rarely spoke in draft meetings,” Buccaneers GM Jason Licht, who got his NFL start under Heckert in 1995, told the Tampa Bay Times. “He wanted the scouts to have their moments to plead their cases. When he did speak, he made incredible points. He was quicker to peg a player than anyone I knew.”

QUOTE TO NOTE

NFL executive in personnel: “When I was taught how to block, you put your nose between the numbers and keep your feet moving. The block starts with contact and ends with it. All you have to do now is push and shove, steer and turn. There’s no real run blocking anymore. It’s illegal.”