Here are the top 10 tight end prospects (with projected round) for the NFL draft, which is set for April 28-30:
1. Trey McBride, Colorado State, 6-foot-4, 246 pounds (second round): Huge 2021 season with 90 catches for 1,121 yards, single-season school records in both categories. First-team AP All-American and winner of the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation’s top tight end.
2. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State, 6-5, 250 (third round): Rugged blocker, solid hands but is not an explosive route-runner. Had 26 receptions, three receiving TDs in an Ohio State offense that featured three 60-catch receivers in 2021.
3. Greg Dulcich, UCLA, 6-4, 243 (third round): Big-play ability, averaged 17.3 yards per catch in 2021. Ten touchdown catches in his last two seasons with the Bruins.
4. Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin, 6-5, 250 (fourth round): First-team All-Big Ten after catching 46 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns in 2021. Grandson of former Wisconsin coach/athletic director Barry Alvarez.
5. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State, 6-6, 252 (fourth round): Finalist for the John Mackey Award, Kolar had 62 catches and six receiving TDs in 2021. Known for superior hands and elite route-running ability.
6. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina, 6-4, 245 (fourth round): Named first-team All-Sun Belt after catching 59 passes for 912 yards in 13 games. Had an impressive 36-inch vertical leap at the NFL scouting combine.
7. Cade Otton, Washington, 6-5, 250 (fourth round): Rocky 2021 season after missing two games over COVID-19 protocols and two more with a left foot injury. In 2020, he was an All-Pac-12 selection.
8. Jelani Woods, Virginia, 6-7, 259 (fourth/fifth round): Eight TD receptions in 2021 were the most by an ACC tight end and the fourth best in the nation. The eight TDs were second most in a season in school history, second to Heath Miller’s nine in 2002.
9. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland, 6-2, 238 (fifth round): Big-play ability as a physical blocker. Fifty-two catches for 447 yards and five TDs in 2021 under the tutelage of position coach Jimmie Johnson, a nine-year NFL veteran.
10. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M, 6-5, 255 (sixth round): Three-year starter for the Aggies. He had some drops in 2021, which may be a cause for concern for some teams.
Best of the rest: Nevada’s Cole Turner, Virginia Tech’s James Mitchell, SMU’s Grant Calcaterra, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Hall and Iowa State’s Chase Allen.
Teams in need: Bengals, Packers, Colts, Chargers and Bears.
Need area for Falcons: No. The Falcons have seven tight ends on the roster. Kyle Pitts is set, while Anthony Firkser figures to replace Lee Smith as the blocking tight end.
The Bow Tie Chronicles
AJC’S 2022 POSITION-BY-POSITION SERIES
WIDE RECEIVERS – Falcons need to upgrade weapons | Top 10 WRs
RUNNING BACKS – Position has become devalued in draft | Top 10 RBs
TIGHT ENDS – Chigoziem Okonkwo survived heart condition to become prospect | Top 10 TEs
OFFENSIVE LINE – Saturday
QUARTERBACKS – Sunday
DEFENSIVE LINE – Monday
LINEBACKERS – Tuesday
CORNERBACKS – Wednesday, April 20
SAFETIES – Thursday, April 21
SPECIAL TEAMS – Friday, April 22
