Ranking 7 tight ends in the 2024 NFL Draft

It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching a bunch of these prospects, so in the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft, I’ll be releasing my rankings. Before you read ahead, please keep in mind the following! This a quick one as this is a bad tight end class, but there are a few interesting names to keep an eye on!

1. I have ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fits. Therefore, the round grade I have given considers that. For example, I may have had a 2nd round grade on a player like Trey Benson if the Eagles badly needed a running back, but I have pushed him down the board after the signing of Barkley.
2. Please focus more on the tiers rather than the list. I use tiers when I have similar grades on players, and there might not be a lot of difference between players if they are in the same tier.
3. I try to watch as much film as I can on these guys, but I also rely on others for stats and other data. Huge credit to PFF and Dane Brugler for some of the stats and measurables used in the pieces.
4. I may mention off-the-field and injury issues in the reports, but I don’t really factor that in when ranking these prospects. However, I may mention it in the summaries.
5. If I haven’t ranked someone, that’s because I haven’t watched them! If you’d like me to watch someone in particular, feel free to comment and I’ll try to get to them before the draft.

Previously

Running Backs / Wide Receivers / Offensive line

Tight Ends

Tier 1

1. Brock Bowers, Georgia, 6’3, 243

Summary: Bowers is an outstanding prospect who is extremely athletic, a sudden mover, and explosive with the ball in his hands, but lacks the size to be considered a traditional inline tight end. But who cares about that, really? He’s going to be fantastic. I think he is a high-level prospect who should be a difference-maker at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: Well, obviously I would take him at 22. It’s not happening though. I wouldn’t trade up for him unless he falls below 15 and the Eagles can do it without giving up much.

Tier 2

2. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas, 6’3, 245

Summary: Sanders is probably a little light for a traditional tight end, but he looks like a physical and explosive move TE who catches everything but needs to develop his blocking.

Eagles Thoughts: I think the 2nd round is a little rich for me which is where Sanders is projected to go, but I’d love this if he fell to the 3rd somehow. I think he might go earlier due to the lack of good-quality tight ends in this class.

3. Ben Sinnott, Kansas State, 6’3, 250

Summary: Sinnott likely doesn’t have the explosiveness or length to be a TE1 (although his testing does make me question whether he could be more than I initially thought), but he has a lot of versatility and quickness to help out an offense that wants a FB/TE hybrid. I really like his profile for a specific role.

Eagles Thoughts: If the Eagles want to add a FB/TE hybrid for Kellen Moore’s offense, Sinnott makes a ton of sense at the end of day 2/start of day 3. This is someone I’m interested in as I think the Eagles’ offense might want someone who fits this role under Kellen Moore. This is ‘my guy’ at tight end this year.

4. Theo Johnson, Penn State, 6’6, 259

Summary: Theo Johnson is a former receiver with explosive traits and great size, but he doesn’t excel in any one area and his production is extremely average. He tested extremely well though.

Eagles Thoughts: If the Eagles want a TE2 with some upside, I think Theo Johnson makes sense in the 3rd or 4th round, but no earlier.

5. Cade Stover, Ohio State, 6’4, 247

Summary: Stover is a solid, but unspectacular prospect who can do everything well, but doesn’t do anything really well. I don’t see any real upside but the floor feels high.

Eagles Thoughts: I would be interested in him as a TE2 in the 3rd or 4th round, but no earlier. I don’t see the upside

Tier 3

6. AJ Barner, Michigan, 6’6, 251

Summary: Barner has great size and length and is an excellent blocker, but hasn’t flashed much as a receiver and will need to prove he’s more than a blocking TE2.

Eagles Thoughts: Maybe a late day 3 option as a potential blocking TE2/3 who could develop into a well-rounded TE2? I would look at Barner in the 4th or 5th round.

7. Dallin Holker, Colorado State, 6’3, 241

Summary: Holker has the hands and movement skills to be a fine TE2, but lacks the athleticism, size, and explosiveness to be anything more.

Eagles Thoughts: Maybe a late day 3 option as a future TE2 or TE3? But nothing is exciting here… I wouldn’t look his way until rounds 5/6 at the earliest.

As always, thank you for reading. Let’s be honest, this is a boring class at tight end so well done if you made it to the end! If you want more detailed notes on each player (strengths and weaknesses) then I’m thinking of releasing my entire document this year. Keep an eye out for this and let me know if this is something you are interested in!