Our 2026 NFL Draft series continues with a deep dive into the tight end position, spotlighting prospects who stand out analytically. If you missed them, check out our running back and wide receiver breakdowns, along with a full explanation of the methodology behind our evaluation process. These early looks help set the table for what NFL teams will be watching all season long.
2026 NFL Draft Prospects With Strong Analytical Indicators
1) Justin Joly, NC State
Our top tight end heading into the 2025 college football season is the NC State Wolfpack’s Justin Joly. After two years at UConn, Joly transferred to Raleigh and quickly became a go-to option for quarterback CJ Bailey.
Joly caught 43 passes for 661 yards and four touchdowns last season. His 15.4 yards per catch ranked fifth among 86 FBS tight ends who ran at least 200 routes, according to TruMedia.
At 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds, Joly moves well and creates separation with sharp route running. With Kevin Concepcion no longer on the roster, no other returning NC State pass catcher had more targets than Joly last year. That trend should continue in 2025.
Bailey and Joly are a big reason why expectations are high for NC State heading into the new season.
2) Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
Terrance Carter Jr. made the most of his 2024 season with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. He ranked 11th among FBS tight ends in yards per reception and converted 70.8% of his catches into either a first down or a touchdown, placing him 12th in the nation.
Carter brings value as both a pass catcher and an inline tight end. He lined up in a traditional TE spot on 68.6% of his snaps, the sixth-most among qualifying players. His versatility and physicality should help him carve out a meaningful role for Texas Tech in 2025.
3) Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
Eli Stowers emerged in 2024 with 49 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns during a breakout season at Vanderbilt. Stowers’ 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame is more suited to a big-slot role than a blocking-heavy assignment, which aligns with how Vanderbilt used him. He lined up in the slot on 72.2% of his snaps last season.
Stowers ranked 11th out of 85 tight ends in YAC per reception at 7.5 yards. He also showed reliable hands, recording just two drops across 86 career catches.
The clip from his highlight reel shows Stowers’ ability to finish through contact and fight for extra yardage, which will be key to his draft rise.
4) Jack Endries, California
Jack Endries quietly posted elite numbers for California in 2024. He hauled in 56 of 61 targets for a 91.8% catch rate, the highest among 436 tight ends who ran at least 200 routes since 2019.
Endries also had only one drop, giving him a 1.8% drop rate that ranked ninth nationally. Only LSU’s Mason Taylor saw more targets among tight ends with a better drop rate.
Despite just two touchdowns last year, there’s reason to expect more scoring opportunities in 2025. Endries was middle of the pack in red-zone usage and efficiency, but his reliability makes him a steady option who could push for more.
Endries might not test off the charts athletically, but he does just about everything well. He profiles as a classic safety valve and could work his way up draft boards with another consistent year.
5) Max Klare, Ohio State
Max Klare transferred from Purdue to Ohio State after a strong 2024 season. He finished the year with 51 catches on 74 targets for 685 yards and four touchdowns. He also averaged 2.22 yards per route run, ranking 10th out of 85 tight ends.
One potential concern is usage. Klare ran 46.7% of his routes from the slot and was the most targeted player in Purdue’s offense. At Ohio State, he enters a much more crowded skill group. The Buckeyes’ tight ends totaled just 55 targets combined last season, and they return several receivers with slot capabilities.
If Klare can edge out players like Brandon Inniss for those slot opportunities, he could rise quickly up these rankings.
Rising Name To Watch
Honorable Mention: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq didn’t log enough playing time to qualify for most analytical thresholds, but the flashes were there. He ranked 10th among tight ends in PFF run-blocking grade and caught 24 of his 27 targets for 12.8 yards per reception. That would have ranked 30th among 86 qualifying tight ends.
With Patrick Herbert and Terrance Ferguson both gone, Sadiq is expected to take on a much larger role in 2025. Whether in-line or in the slot, Oregon will likely lean on him to help fill the production gap left behind.