Tight end is not the flashiest spot on the football field. It is often overlooked, but having an exceptional athlete creates deadly mismatches — see Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Darren Waller. The draft analysts at Pro Football Network came together to create their Top 300 Consensus Board. Here are the top nine tight ends in the 2021 NFL Draft using this board as our guide.
Top tight ends in the 2021 NFL Draft | 6-9
Are there any tight ends in the 2021 class that can reach top-10 status at the position in the NFL?
9) Kylen Granson, SMU
One of SMU’s deadliest weapons the last two seasons, Kylen Granson is not your typical tight end. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, he is too small to play inline and not athletic enough to play out wide. Still, his ability to operate in space and after the catch is unlike many at the position. Due to his size, Granson will have to operate as a move tight end or fullback/H-back in the NFL.
Creative play-callers can utilize Granson in a variety of ways. However, if they try to use him as a one-dimensional tight end, he is unlikely to succeed at the next level.
8) Quintin Morris, Bowling Green
Bowling Green is not known for producing NFL talent — they have seen just six players drafted since 2000. Quintin Morris looks to buck that trend in the 2021 NFL Draft. He did not necessarily dominate MAC competition, but his highlight reel shows his athleticism and innate ability to make big-time catches.
Morris flashed his speed and explosion at his pro day with a 4.60 40-yard dash, 34-inch vertical jump, and 119-inch broad jump at 243 pounds and 6-foot-2. The level of competition and lack of production will scare some scouts away, but Morris possesses the physical tools to create mismatches as a big slot or even on the boundary on occasion.
7) Tre’ McKitty, Georgia
Your everyday college football fan probably doesn’t know the name Tre’ McKitty. In truth, I didn’t know it until late into the pre-draft process. Nevertheless, McKitty is a name many will want to pay attention to in the 2021 Draft class. He injured his knee last offseason, which led to him playing just four games in 2020. McKitty attended the Senior Bowl, where he earned top tight end of the week honors as voted on by the defenders he faced.
He owns the size and athletic profile to succeed at the next level, but his 56 catches over four seasons won’t have general managers foaming at the mouth. McKitty has the strength to win battles as a run blocker and the hands to haul in tough receptions. Subsequently, the franchise that takes a Day 3 flier on McKitty will be adding quality depth to their tight end room.
6) Kenny Yeboah, Mississippi
Kenny Yeboah transferred to Ole Miss after spending four seasons at Temple. He did not miss a beat despite jumping to SEC competition, catching 27 passes for 524 yards and 6 touchdowns. The former Rebel fights for extra yards and often comes away with the ball in contested situations. At the same time, he is not a plus athlete and does not have exceptional speed or burst.
Although he is still raw as a route runner, Yeboah has terrific body control and hands as a pass catcher. He is also a willing blocker, though that is not where he thrives. Yeboah is just 22 years old with five seasons of experience under his belt, making him a perfect candidate to be a mid-round gem in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Top tight ends in the 2021 NFL Draft | 1-5
We all know who the No. 1 tight end in the class is, but who comes in behind him?
5) Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame
Now, Tommy Tremble was not even the top tight end at Notre Dame last season, but that is more a testament to true freshman Michael Mayer’s talent rather Tremble’s lack thereof. The former Golden Domer’s best trait is his run blocking. No tight end in the class competes with that aspect of Tremble’s game.
He displayed flashes as a complete tight end running routes and catching passes, but that is not where he is best deployed. Tremble has the skill set to be the next Kyle Juszczyk as a fullback. If he lands with an offensive coordinator who uses a diverse run package and creates coverage mismatches, Tremble will thrive in the NFL.
4) Hunter Long, Boston College
One of the few true inline tight ends in the class, Hunter Long owns the size (6-foot-5, 254 pounds) and speed (4.63 40-yard dash) that NFL front offices covet at the position. He is a solid athlete for his build and proved to be a consistent threat at Boston College. He won’t “wow” you outside of a few aggressive contested catches, but Long has the skill and tools to be a long-term starter in the NFL.
3) Brevin Jordan, Miami (FL)
Much like Granson, Brevin Jordan is a tweener at the position. He stepped on Miami’s campus as the size of an average running back. Years later, the Hurricanes alum leaves campus the size of a running back, just more along the lines of a Derrick Henry or A.J. Dillon. He flourished with D’Eriq King under center, finishing 2020 with 38 receptions, 576 yards, and 7 scores.
His speed and YAC ability would excel in a scheme where tight ends run slants, drags, and seams. Jordan’s closest NFL comparison is a Gerald Everatt type, who enjoyed success in Sean McVay’s system.
2) Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth has affectionately received the “Baby Gronk” moniker due to his similar style of play. Before suffering a shoulder injury last year, Freiermuth was the center of attention in the Nittany Lions offense. His game is NFL-ready; he is reliable in all aspects of the position. He is especially effective in the red zone as his 6-foot-5 and nearly 260-pound frame allows him to box out defenders.
His production on the field, tools, size, and attention to detail make him one of the most lauded prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. Anticipate teams to target Freiermuth toward the back end of Round 1 and early Day 2.
1) Kyle Pitts, Florida
To no surprise, Kyle Pitts is the top tight end in the 2021 NFL Draft. Giving Pitts a positional designation is a disservice as he can line up outside, in the slot, inline, or even in the backfield. He is truly a generational talent at the position. Although most tight ends are unworthy of a first-round selection value-wise, Pitts is deserving of a top-five pick.
His ball skills and route running match that of top wide receivers, and his ability to beat man coverage will be sought after by all 32 NFL teams. Don’t expect Pitts to fall past Atlanta, Cincinnati, or Miami on April 29.
[su_button url=”https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-prospects-2021-updated-big-board-player-rankings/” style=”flat” background=”#540008″ color=”#ffffff” size=”5″ wide=”yes” center=”yes” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]Keep Reading! 2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Pauline’s updated big board, player rankings[/su_button]
Want more prospect news? Want to do your own mock draft?
Dive into PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator and test your own drafting acumen. Continue to visit Pro Football Network for NFL news and in-depth analysis. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@PFN365) to stay in the loop on all things college football and the NFL Draft landscape.
