Most of the attention leading up to the NFL Draft is on the skill positions, particularly at quarterback. After that, teams build up their offensive and defensive lines to win the battles in the trenches.
However, the tight end position could end up being the story of the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFL Insider Brian Baldinger of the Audacy Original Podcast “In The Huddle” broke down his top tight ends in a class that the NFL hasn’t seen in quite some time.
“Once I started watching and studying it, there’s a reason why this class is thought to be one of the best – maybe the best we’ve seen in the last 10 years,” Baldinger said (2:38 in player above). “It’s an exciting class because it has every type of tight end that you want.”
“It starts, to me, with Dalton Kincaid out of Utah,” Baldinger continued. “Kincaid has been that flex tight end that every team seems to want to have as a part of their offense… He’s that flex tight end, but he’s got size. He’s over 6’4”, he’s 45 pounds, and when you watch him run routes, he’s smooth… I believe Dalton Kincaid can be a moneymaker in this whole business – in a big way.”
Baldinger listed the Packers at 15, Buccaneers at 19, and Bills at 27 as potential landing spots for the talented tight end. Of course, those teams could also move up to snag Kincaid.
The tight end position has evolved over the years from being an extra lineman to a real weapon in the passing game.
While Kincaid is more of a pass-catching tight end, Baldinger has more of a traditional tight end at number two on his board, but that doesn’t mean the big-bodied blocker can’t do work in the passing game as well.
“Darnell Washington, to me, looks like a third tackle that can play tight end, run routes, help you out in the passing game, but he can really help you in the run game. I think he’s a good blocker, he’s got great size, and he moves really well. You could do a lot with him. And that’s why he’s my number two tight end because of the way that he runs, his size, and his overall production,” he said. “His game translates to the NFL because of the way he really can block.”
Baldinger compared Washington to Marcedes Lewis in terms of his size. He is nearly 6-foot-7, 270 pounds, and still managed to run a 4.65 40-yard dash at the combine. Keep an eye out for the University of Georgia product in the first round.
The third tight end that could go in the first round is another of the pass-catching variety, and that is Michael Mayer.
“The guy has been highly productive the last three years at Notre Dame. The guy caught 180 passes. He had 18 touchdowns, and most of them are just what you want," Baldinger said. "You want that guy that can just play low-post basketball in the red zone, in the end zone, for first downs.
“At the same time, I watch him, the way that he blocks, he’s a good blocker and I think with good coaching he could be a very good blocker… I think he’s a better blocker than what Dalton Schultz was, who left in free agency this year from Dallas. I think Michael Mayer could very well end up in Dallas… I could see him not going any farther in this draft than Dallas at 26.”
The Cowboys could very well be looking to replace Schultz in this year’s draft. Kincaid, Washington, and Mayer all seem like solid options for any team looking to add a tight end to their offense.
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