We’re two weeks from the combine and on the last leg of my trip around the rookie prospects by ranking tight ends. TE is the most frustrating position in fantasy to scout and find any kind of production. My regular data dump from our DFF Data Guru @ChrisMiles1017 will be left out for this reason and we’ll stick to the film until we get Combine numbers.
RB Rankings, QB Rankings, WR Rankings
5. Darnell Washington – Georgia
Size: 6′ 8″ | 260 lbs.
The Good
Size and violent blocking make up the bulk of Darnell Washington’s game. The Junior from Georgia has some of the least production out of the draft class despite rarely leaving the field, and is one of the few prospects in the entire class whose blocking highlights are just as exciting as the passing. He has an encouraging albeit small sample size of film where he displays comfort in using his size to extend toward the football and make a play.
The Bad
But I should elaborate on just how small Washington’s sample size of catches actually is. He only has 55 catches in his career. It could be argued that he was held back by scheme, but I wasn’t exactly wowed by his athleticism on tape beyond being large and strong. Washington is a bit of a plodder on his routes and slows to accelerate downfield. His size is nearly a hindrance as much as a gift with such little fluidity.
The Ugly Truth
Darnell Washington might be more use to an NFL roster than a fantasy roster and looks like another TE in a long line of taxi squad cloggers. It’s tough to play TE in the NFL and even tougher to be fantasy relevant enough to be worth much more than a 3rd round rookie pick. A fast 40 time could do wonders for his fantasy stock, but lateral quickness may still limit him as a pass catcher.
Player Comparisons: Much bigger Mo Alie-Cox
4. Sam Laporta – Iowa
Size: 6′ 5″ | 249 lbs.
The Good
Sam Laporta is just another product from the long line of Iowa tight ends. Luckily, even if we scout the player and not the helmet I would assume that he went to college at Iowa despite that because he fits the same profile of efficient, full tree route runners with prototypical size and polish. The receiving skills show in the boxscores despite the tumultuous few seasons at Iowa and served as the receiving leader and focal point of the Hawkeyes’ offense
The Bad
Laporta is another Master of None and doesn’t blow me away at any particular attribute. Nor does he display the athleticism to be a true difference maker and might not offer much after the catch. 40 times and verticals will paint a better picture of how effective he could be used split out wide and not just inline or in the slot, but until then, It’s hard to project much of that.
The Ugly Truth
Draft capital and more importantly, landing spot will dictate how much value Laporta has. He could be a boom in a TE-friendly offense. But he could be another dreaded TD-dependent TE2
Player Comparisons: Hunter Henry or Hayden Hurst.
3. Michael Mayer – Notre Dame
Size: 6’4” | 265 lbs.
The Good
Michael Mayer has been the most productive TE in this class. The former 4-star recruit has been a focal point in Notre Dame’s since his freshman year and fits the profile to be the most pro-ready and well-rounded prospect. Mayer has soft hands and adequate body control to extend and make plays while in traffic and is one of the best at using his size both as a receiver and a ball carrier. However, the trait that will get him on the field the fastest will be his ability as the second-best blocker in the class. Mayer is arguably a more polished blocker than Washington because he’s much better at anchoring and getting his hands set under a defender’s pads to drive and finish blocks.
The Bad
Mayer doesn’t look very athletic. He is slow to move in and out of breaks and doesn’t provide much separation downfield. When asked to split wide, Mayer routinely had coverage stick to him and doesn’t have many double moves in his tool bag.
The Ugly Truth
Mayer might be a better NFL player than a fantasy player. Yes, he may have a safe floor, but athletic TEs who can separate downfield or create after the catch are the better fantasy producers and I question if Mayer can do either of those things at the pro level.
Player Comparisons: Hayden Hurst
2. Luke Musgrave – Oregon State
Size: 6′ 5″ | 255 lbs.
The Good
Luke Musgrave has some of the most eye-popping film out of this group. He shows all the elite fantasy traits you want out of a TE like downfield speed, soft hands, great extension, and YAC ability. He even has NFL bloodlines if you care about that sort of thing, but even without that, he looks like the best player on the field.
The Bad
The problem is that he rarely makes it on the field and has comparable production to Darnell Washington. However, Musgrave suffered injuries throughout most of his career at Oregon state and it’s a big gamble to bet on such little production coming out of the Pac-12.
The Ugly Truth
Musgrave is a risk, but TE is such a difficult position that I’m willing to gamble at TE when a player shows elite talent. If there’s one Boom/Bust TE I’m willing to roll the dice on, Musgraves is it.
Player Comparisons: Dallas Goedert
1. Dalton Kincaid – Utah
Size: 6′ 4″ | 240 lbs
The Good
If Michael Mayer is the most complete TE out of the group, Dalton Kincaid is the most complete receiver, and why he’s my fantasy TE1 out of the class. The junior was the top receiving option in the best offense that Utah has put on the field in years due to his fast feet and fluid hips that ease him smoothly in and out of breaks. Couple that with downfield separation and high-point ability to attack the ball and he could be a consistent big-play threat.
The Bad
Size and blocking might keep him off the field on some teams. He plays like a strict big slot that’s not very effective in line and will be a liability if left one on one against elite defenders.
The Ugly Truth
Receiving upside is what counts in fantasy until Points Per Pancake leagues become a thing and Kincaid is the best pure receiver in the class. He has the athleticism and finesse to move all over the formation and get open and a frame big enough to be the perfect security blanket
Player Comparison: Modern Tony Gonzalez
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