Editor’s note: The U-T’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL Draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 tight ends, plus “bonus” players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:
1. Brock Bowers (Jr., Georgia, 6-foot-3, 243 pounds)
Bowers is one of the most well-rounded and prolific tight end prospects to ever enter the draft, and could develop into a premier chess piece with All-Pro potential. He became the first two-time Mackey Award winner last season, producing 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 TD receptions in three seasons for the two-time champion Bulldogs. He’s a diverse route runner who is dangerous after the catch and has the speed to execute jet sweeps. He finished with 183 rushing yards and five rushing TDs in his collegiate career. Bowers joined Herschel Walker and David Pollack as the only three-time first-team All-Americans in school history. He falls short of George Kittle as a blocker — who doesn’t? — but Bowers is in the same vein as a playmaker and offensive weapon. Projected: Top 15
2. Ja’Tavion Sanders (Jr., Texas, 6-3, 245)
Sanders was the No. 1 athlete in the 2021 recruiting class, and was ranked No. 13 overall nationally. He was originally planning on playing defensive end, but settled on tight end after Steve Sarkisian took over at Texas. Sanders features an above-the-rim skill set, soft hands and ability after the catch. The two-time first-team All-Big 12 honoree was highly productive for the Longhorns the last two seasons, making 99 receptions for 1,295 yards and seven TD receptions on 139 targets. Only Georgia’s Bowers had more receptions and targets among FBS tight ends over that span. Sanders is more scheme-dependent than Bowers, and shouldn’t be utilized in an in-line role at the next level, but he could thrive as a big slot in a wide-open attack. Projected: Rounds 2-3
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3. Ben Sinnott (Jr., Kansas St., 6-3, 250)
Sinnott was a former no-star recruit who was a standout hockey player as a high-schooler in Iowa, an all-state first baseman and power-hitting lefty in baseball and lettered in golf, tennis and track. Surprisingly, he received only one FCS offer out of high school, so he decided to walk on for the Wildcats, where he earned two first-team All-Big 12 selections. Sinnott led the team in receiving yards (676) and TD receptions (six) last season, plus he won the Lowman Trophy, given to the nation’s top fullback. He may not be a fit for every scheme, but he offers the combination of size, big-play ability and athleticism others in a thin class for the position do not. He produced four receptions of 40-plus yards last season. Sinnott led all tight ends in the three-cone (6.82 seconds), vertical (40 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 6 inches) at the combine. Projected: Rounds 3-4
4. Theo Johnson (Jr., Penn St., 6-6, 259)
The Canadian was the No. 3 tight end in the 2020 recruiting class. Johnson oozes athletic traits, and led the Nittany Lions in TD receptions (seven) last season, but he only topped 50 yards receiving five times in 45 games. I would’ve liked to see more production, but those are the expectations when you’re this talented. His run blocking is below average for his size, but he’s coachable enough to get better. Johnson produced one of the most impressive athletic showcases ever for a tight end at the combine, earning a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score, the second-highest value for the position in the past 37 years. Projected: Round 3
5. Cade Stover (Sr., Ohio St., 6-3, 247)
Stover was the No. 7 outside linebacker in the 2019 recruiting class, and didn’t move to the offensive side of the ball full time until 2022, where he became a two-time team captain and two-time All-Big Ten honoree. He has soft, reliable hands (only two drops on 108 collegiate targets) and was a finalist for the John Mackey Award last season. Stover’s basketball background is obvious, the way he locates and adjusts to the ball, and he features enough speed to threaten teams vertically. He still needs to develop as a blocker to be a three-down asset, but he’s certainly a willing participant. Projected: Rounds 3-4
6. Jared Wiley (Sr., TCU, 6-6, 249)
After three seasons at Texas, Wiley joined the Horned Frogs in search of a bigger role on offense. He led all FBS tight ends with eight TD receptions as a super senior, five of them coming in the red zone. Wiley features the height and length to play above the rim, with impressive ball skills and a massive wingspan. He has reliable hands, only one drop on 120 collegiate targets, but doesn’t break a lot of tackles and he’s surprisingly ineffective as a blocker for a player of his stature. Projected: Rounds 3-5
7. Dallin Holker (Jr., Colorado St., 6-3, 234)
The former three-star recruit served his two-year church mission (2019-20) before returning to BYU. Frustrated with his role, Holker transferred to Fort Collins for his junior season and led all FBS tight ends in receptions (64) and receiving yards (767). He received 105 targets in one season with the Rams compared with only 59 in his three seasons with the Cougars. He doesn’t add a lot of value as a blocker, but he’s a smooth athlete in space with good feel for making catches in traffic. Holker had 11 receptions of 20-plus yards last season, third most among FBS tight ends behind only Georgia’s Bowers and Texas’ Sanders. His 15 forced missed tackles also ranked third most among all FBS tight ends. Holker was named team captain for Colorado St. despite only spending a single season on campus. Projected: Rounds 4-6
8. Jaheim Bell (Jr., Florida St., 6-2, 241)
The former three-star recruit suffered a torn ACL that ended his senior season of high school. After three seasons with South Carolina, Bell transferred to Tallahassee, where he set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. He was one of 12 FBS tight ends with 35-plus receptions and 500-plus receiving yards. He’s a bit undersized, and a mixed bag as a blocker, but he’s talented with the ball in his hands. Bell’s 8.1 yards-after-catch per reception ranked third among FBS tight ends last season. Both the Gameco*cks and Seminoles used him in the backfield, either through motion or at running back, where he would receive carries. He scored three rushing TDs his final season in Columbia and another rushing score with Florida State last year. Projected: Rounds 5-6
9. Erick All (Sr., Iowa, 6-4, 252)
All was the No. 12 tight end in the 2019 recruiting class and committed to Michigan despite growing up in Ohio. After earning honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2021, spinal surgery limited him to only three games in 2022 and he joined the Hawkeyes through the transfer portal. All appeared in only seven games before an ACL injury ended his season. He led Iowa in receiving yards (299) and receiving TDs (three) despite missing half of the season. When healthy, All has prototypical size and features the athleticism and receiving acumen to threaten defenses at all three levels. He also gives consistent effort as a blocker and is capable of intercepting linebackers at the second level. If he checks out medically, he could develop into a major draft steal. Projected: Rounds 5-7
10. Tanner McLachlan (Sr., Arizona, 6-5, 244)
After four years at Southern Utah, the Canadian walked on for the Wildcats (while rehabbing an ACL injury). In two seasons in Tucson, McLachlan earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors as a super senior and broke Rob Gronkowski’s school record for career receptions by a tight end (79 to Gronk’s 75). He has room to grow as a blocker, but his athleticism (he has a knack for hurdling defenders), ball skills and basketball background may foretell a promising NFL ceiling if teams look past his age (he turned 25 in March). Projected: Rounds 4-7
BONUS: AJ Barner (Sr., Michigan, 6-6, 251)
Barner was a captain at Indiana before transferring to Ann Arbor. He has prototypical size for the position, but lacks the explosive athleticism to be a consistent threat as a receiver. He does have the ability to catch balls in traffic, and can be hard to bring down once he picks up steam. Barner is a technically sound blocker with the toughness and competitive nature teams seek. His ability to consistently get the dirty work done as a blocker in the run game and pass protection will likely earn him a roster spot in the pros. Barner had the largest wingspan among all tight ends at the combine. Projected: Rounds 4-5
BONUS: Tip Reiman (Sr., Illinois, 6-4, 271)
The former walk-on was a regular on kick and punt coverages all four seasons in Champaign and was elected captain his senior season. Reiman features outstanding size (he added 50-plus pounds in college). He’s a physical, technically sound blocker in-line or out in space and as a pass protector. As a receiver, 14 of his 19 receptions last season earned a first down or touchdown, but he’ll earn his keep in the NFL paving the way for others to make plays. Projected: Rounds 4-6
BONUS: Brevyn Spann-Ford (Sr., Minnesota, 6-6, 260)
The former three-star recruit struggled badly with drops (nine) this past season, but teams may be intrigued by the potential matchup issues he could create as a big slot target. Spann-Ford led the Gophers in receptions (42) in 2022. He’s an aggressive blocker with impressive size and toughness for the position. There’s no way he gets drafted based on his 2023 performance alone (it was that bad), but he was an ascending player the year before and he possesses enough premium physical traits (something coaches can’t teach) to earn him an opportunity. Spann-Ford caught a 2-yard TD pass from Bo Nix for the National Team in the Senior Bowl. Projected: Rounds 6-7
BONUS: Colson Yankoff (Sr., UCLA, 6-3, 233)
The former four-star recruit at quarterback (and Elite 11 participant) committed to Washington before transferring to Westwood after redshirting his first year. Yankoff moved to wide receiver in 2020, then to running back in 2022. He’s clearly a projection at tight end, but he showcased the necessary skills and tested well at the Bruins’ pro day. If given an opportunity, he could become a special teams ace — Yankoff produced 10 tackles in 2023. Projected: PFA
