The 2024 NFL Draft features a deep talent pool, but not at tight end. Who is the best tight end in the NFL Draft? There’s no debate this year, but now that the combine is over, our 2024 NFL Draft TE rankings are more defined.
With only one first-round tight end prospect in 2024, teams searching for a new starter will have to be on their ‘A’ game during the scouting process. But that doesn’t mean some of the best tight ends in the 2024 NFL Draft can’t be found in the later rounds too. Let’s dive into our NFL Draft tight end prospect rankings.
10. Tip Reiman, Illinois Fighting Illini
First, Tip Reiman got our attention for his comical comments at the NFL Combine, then he started his drills and we had to look closer at the Illinois tight end’s draft prospects. At 6-foot-5, 271 pounds, Reiman is a big dude who is already an excellent blocker, but clocking the sixth-quickest 40 time among tight ends was unexpected. Possessing big hands and an aggressive nature, there’s a path for Reiman to become a contributor in the NFL.
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9. Theo Johnson, Penn State Nittany Lions
Theo Johnson ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash among 2024 tight end prospects at 4.57 seconds. He’s also 6-foot-6 and has a 39.5-inch vertical leap. However, he’s a raw prospect who needs refinement as a blocker and pass-catcher. Still, Johnson excels at making contested catches, which makes him an ideal tight end prospect to develop.
8. Jared Wiley, TCU Horned Frogs
At 6-foot-6, Jared Wiley has great size for the position, and he’s also been productive, recording 520 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season. Wiley knows how to use his size to his advantage, shielding defenders away from breaking up the play, and he has no issues getting physical with his opponent. Wiley can do a little bit of everything, but like others, he could improve his strength to get better at blocking and breaking tackles.
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7. Jaheim Bell, Florida State Seminoles
Measuring in at 6-foot-2, 241 pounds didn’t do Jaheim Bell any favors, but clocking a 4.61-second 40-yard dash certainly did. Bell could improve as a blocker, and some of his drawbacks are likely due to his size, but his ability to stretch the seams will get him on the field.
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6. Dallin Holker, Colorado State Rams
While he may be a bit of a project as he could benefit from adding more weight to his frame, Dallin Holker is good at catching passes in traffic and has some YAC ability too. Holker is not an elite athlete, but he does have soft hands which should allow him to see playing time early on as long as his blocking checks out.
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5. Erick All, Iowa Hawkeyes
Teams seeking an all-around tight end could look to Erick All on Day 2 or Day 3 of the NFL Draft. All is already a strong run blocker, and while he’s had some issues with drops, he also has potential to be effective after the catch, thanks to his athleticism.
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4. Ben Sinnott, Kansas State Wildcats
Ben Sinnott is like the poor man’s Brock Bowers. You can line him up anywhere you want, but unlike Bowers, he’s not excellent in any one area. Still, Sinnott has impressive quickness (4.68 40 time) and decent hands. As a versatile chess piece, he’d be an asset to any NFL team.
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3. Cade Stover, Ohio State Buckeyes
Cade Stover is not the tallest or fastest tight end in the NFL Draft, but he is reliable, having dropped just two passes over the past two seasons. While he’s already a decent blocker, there’s room for more growth in Stover’s game. Yet, he could develop into a starter at the next level.
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2. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas Longhorns
Racking up 600 yards apiece each of the last two seasons had Ja’Tavion Sanders as the early frontrunner to be the second tight end drafted, but scoring an ugly 5.61 RAS (Relative Athletic Score) could give some teams second thoughts. While the 6-foot-3 tight end obviously can’t grow any taller, Sanders has shown impressive top speed if teams can put him in advantageous situations.
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1. Brock Bowers, Georgia Bulldogs
The best player in our 2024 NFL Draft TE rankings; there aren’t any tight ends that even come close to Brock Bowers. A top-five talent that may slip to the top 15 simply because he doesn’t play a premier position, Bowers is the ultimate weapon who can line up in the slot or out wide in addition to his normal tight end duties. Bowers has great hands and is dangerous after the catch. Whoever drafts him is getting a steal with All-Pro potential.
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