Tier 1: Impact Starter Potential

Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)

The consensus TE1 in this class. Scouts describe him as a "wide receiver in a tight end body," and the testing numbers back it up - a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 43.5-inch vertical put him in a different athletic stratosphere than any other tight end in the draft. He is an exceptional yards-after-catch threat who creates mismatch problems at every level of the defense. The development areas are technique and functional strength in in-line blocking situations, which he'll need to sharpen before he can be considered a complete NFL tight end.

Tier 2: High-End Contributors (Day 2 Value)

Max Klare (Ohio State)

An elite route runner with exceptional separation ability for the position - rare traits for a tight end. Klare's athleticism and receiving skill set are genuinely praised across the scouting community, but the honest evaluation right now is that he's a pass-catching tight end first. He'll need to add functional weight and improve his blocking technique to hold up on the line of scrimmage in the NFL.

Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)

A former quarterback who has reinvented himself as a big-slot mismatch. Stowers set record combine numbers, highlighted by a 45.5-inch vertical jump that confirmed his elite explosiveness. Some evaluators consider him underrated and view him as a legitimate top pass-catcher in this class. In-line blocking is currently a significant weakness and will determine how quickly he can be trusted in a full-time role.

Michael Trigg (Baylor)

An athletic freak whose combination of length and vertical speed creates genuine matchup problems for linebackers and safeties. Scouts rave about his ball-tracking ability and natural hands. The concerns center around consistency - specifically, effort on plays where he's not the primary target - and the need to refine his in-line blocking technique before he can be deployed as a true every-down tight end.

Jack Endries (Texas)

A trustworthy "do-it-all" target who brings steady hands and real alignment versatility to a roster. Endries is praised for his vision and willingness as a blocker, which makes him a legitimate weapon in multiple personnel groupings. He's not going to threaten defenses with elite top-end speed, but his reliability in all phases gives him a clear path to contributing early.

Oscar Delp (Georgia)

Scouts view Delp as a "complete package" - a Day 1 starter candidate who does everything well without having one single elite trait that jumps off the tape the way Sadiq's athleticism does. His limited snap count at Georgia is actually a point in his favor for some evaluators, who believe his ceiling as a pro is higher than what his college production suggests.

Tier 3: Role Players / Upside Starters (Day 3 Range)

Nathan Boerkircher (Texas A&M)

A sixth-year senior who brings a veteran's maturity and a strong foundation as a run blocker. Boerkircher is viewed as a dependable Day 3 depth option who has more athleticism than his receiving statistics would suggest - a player who can contribute immediately on special teams while developing into a situational role on offense.

Justin Joly (NC State)

A natural receiver with a high football IQ who wins with consistency rather than physical dominance. Joly doesn't have a standout physical trait that scouts can hang a ceiling on, but he's the kind of dependable, low-maintenance contributor who earns playing time on both offense and special teams over a career.

Marlin Klein (Michigan)

An intriguing developmental prospect who is still relatively new to the position but already shows significant blocking potential and a work ethic that coaches love. The upside is real - the timeline is just longer than most.

Tier 4: Developmental / Scheme Fits

Joe Royer (Cincinnati)

A classic "Y-type" tight end with strong hands, an excellent football IQ, and a natural feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage. His athleticism is impressive relative to his frame, and the right scheme could unlock more from him than his college numbers reflect.

Tanner Koziol (Houston)

At 6'7", Koziol is a massive red-zone and seam target with a legitimate receiving background and real production to his name. Scouts have flagged concerns about his physicality on the line, but if his blocking technique improves, the combination of size and receiving ability could push him into Day 2 conversation.

Tier 5: Late Flyers / Depth

Dallen Bentley (Utah)

A productive receiver whose college tape is encouraging, but scouts question whether his athleticism profile translates to the NFL level. His path to a roster spot runs through anticipation, route nuance, and the ability to win against zone coverage - tools that can extend a career even without elite physical gifts.

Miles Kitselman (Tennessee)

A legitimate late-round riser who emerged as a focal point in Tennessee's offense after years of development. Scouts praise his leadership qualities and the trajectory of his game. The breakout potential is real, and the right organization investing in him as a developmental piece could be rewarded.