If you followed any of the 2021 NFL draft coverage, you know that everyone has a love affair with Florida tight end Kyle Paints. A potential top-five pick, Pitts is really the only tight end not being paid any attention. While there is no doubt that he is the star of this year’s TE class, many other players deserve attention in this situation.
Tight ends are always a difficult situation for the average fan to assess. Not only do you have to weigh blocking vs. pass-catching, but you also have to pay attention to the fact that many college teams do not feature TEs in their offenses. When trying to evaluate many of these players, it leaves us to focus only on pro measurements or even single highlights.
We will do our best to cut through the noise for the 2021 NFL Draft and break the Top-10 TEs of Sporting News.
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Nfl draft 2021 tight end ranking
1. Kyle Pitts, Florida
Pitts had a very good sophomore season (54 catches, 649 yards, five TDs), but he was an absolute monster as a junior, catching 770 passes for 770 yards and 12 TDs in only eight games. He continued his dominance during his pro day, when he measured nearly 6-6, 245 pounds and ran a 4.44 40-yard dash. Clearly, Pitts is a unique offensive weapon in the vein of Travis Kelus or George Keitel, and when he doesn’t have the latter’s blocking, it doesn’t matter. Pitts is going to be a top-10 pick – possibly a top five – and a likely star from Day 1.
2. Pat Freimarth, Penn State
Freiermuth had his first two-year TD machine at Penn State, scoring eight times as a freshman and seven times as a sophomore, but a shoulder injury cost him just four games and one last year’s score Restricted. The 6-5, 251-pound TE is known as a solid blocker and reliable pass-catcher, and while he does not have blazing speed (reportedly 40 times in the 4.72 range), he is still in the opening. Should be able to appropriate clips in the NFL. He figures to be a second-round pick, but the upside is for him to improve his draft position.
3. Brevin Jordan, Miami
Miami has a history of building NFL tight ends, and Jordan seems to be next in line after a breakout 2020 that caught him 38 passes for 576 yards and seven TDs. His pro-day performance was not very impressive, as he measured in 6-3, 247 pounds and ran a 4.69 40-yard dash, but his versatility and blocking could still see him on the ground in the second round. Over time, he should grow into a solid all-round contributor.
4. Hunter Long, Boston College
Long was a big-game specialist in his first two seasons, when he averaged 25.8 yards per catch (on just four receptions) and 18.2 yards per catch (28 catches), respectively. He became a more frequent target last year, when he caught 57 balls for 685 yards and five TDs. At just 6-5, 254 pounds, Long is in great shape, and his 4.63 40-yard dash is quite decent, so if he can continue to develop his already solid blocking skills, Long Can make a good career. Expect him to move on to the second or third round.
5. Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame
Tremble is more of a blocking TE, which you can probably tell from its 2020 stats (19 catches, 218 yards, no TD), but after scoring 4.59 40s during his pro day, some believe Tremble’s The opposite is true. NFL, be it as a traditional tight end or more of an H-back. Approximately 6-4, 241 pounder is decent and fast in size and will be an intriguing third- or fourth-round prospect whose impact will likely not be reflected in the box score.
6. Trey ‘McKitty, Georgia
McKitty performed very poorly in the States (three seasons) and UGA (one season) in terms of statistics (56 catches, 628 yards, three TDs in his 24 career games), but he was down to just four games due to his senior year. Was limited. Knee Injury. At 6-4, a little over 246 pounds, McKitty is in good shape, and with 40 bars in the 4.7-range, he has enough speed. He is a developmental prospect who will likely go through the mid-to-late stages, but he has a chance to make an impact in a few years.
7. Kenny Yeba, Ole Miss
After four mostly nondescript seasons at the temple, Yeoba moved to Ole Miss and broke with 27 catches, 524 yards and six TDs. Such big-game potential is sure for scouts interested in a 6-4, 250-pound pass-catcher. His block still needs work, but Yeoba upsets a lot as a mid-to-late-round prospect.
8. Nick Eubank, Michigan
Eubanks is another TE with small college production but a lot of physical equipment. At 6-4, 245 pounds, Eubank ran a 4.59 40 and showed good blocking ability, so he would be another late-round project that could develop into a solid starter in the right position.
9. Miller Fortral, Alabama
Yet another big, athletic tee (which did not produce 23 catches, 253 yards, TD last season), Fortral ran a 4.79 40-yard dash and measured in 6-5, 241 pounds. He is expected to be more of a blocked TE in the NFL, and will likely be a late goal pick.
10. Quinton Morris, Bowling Green
A wide wide receiver, Morris only measured 6-2, over 251 pounds and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. As you can imagine, blocking is an issue, but Morris is a great route runner with good hands, and is the type of player who can move to any point after Day 1, depending on which team Think they can turn him into a matchup nightmare. A secondary tight end.
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