2023 NFL Draft: TE/FB Rankings
TE Rankings:
1
Dalton Kincaid
School: Utah
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 246 lbs
Strengths:
Kincaid is in the conversation to be the top receiving TE in this draft class. He possesses a wide variety of tools that should allow him to have plenty of success at the NFL level. Kincaid is an extremely fluid athlete, something you notice every time he runs a route. He is smooth throughout the route, even when it is deep down the field, and his breaks are sharp, maximizing the amount of separation he is able to create. The route tree they gave him was diverse and complex. His hands are very soft and reliable. Kincaid can haul in passes over the shoulder, make sideline catches, or elevate over defenders to make a grab. He is a natural hands catcher and the way he is able to quickly snag the ball out of the air without losing momentum is impressive. The ability to line him up anywhere and know that he can make a play is something teams will covet. Kincaid is dangerous after the catch. Not only is he a threat with his speed, but his agility and quick feet allow him to make tacklers miss pretty regularly. He is also not afraid to pick up a few extra yards using power. As a blocker he can do some basic stuff. He is athletic enough to mirror rushers and stay in the way just long enough. The ability to seal the edge has also shown up from time to time.
Weaknesses:
Kincaid, at this point, is more of a liability than he is an asset as a blocker. He is currently lacking the mass to really be able to hold up against stronger players, and as a result, was pretty much able to succeed in only the most basic areas. Utah tried to shield him a little by splitting him out more often. In the passing game, this issue is less evident, but not invisible. Contact can disrupt him a little, both during the route and at the catch point. There was also the odd time where the sound of footsteps would cause him to lose his concentration on the pass. Kincaid does well to elevate for the ball, but his reach and height are just a tad below the ideal spot. He is not in that elite category.
Summary:
Kincaid is an elite receiving prospect for the TE position. His fluidity, speed, and overall athleticism are all tremendous, and it translates directly to his route running and ability to separate. He has the hands to go with it, and has the ability to elevate for the ball. Yards after the catch should also be plentiful. The issues mostly show up when he is tasked with blocking. He is lacking the strength and bulk to really compete in this area, and he may be restricted in the NFL, as a result. Even still, teams will have no problem finding a role for him, but in a perfect world, he’d at least be able to develop some capabilities as a blocker beyond the absolute most basic stuff. Given his talent as a receiver, day 1 is in the conversation.
| Grade: 85.7 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Michael Mayer
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 249 lbs
Strengths:
Mayer is well built to handle the duties of a traditional TE. He possesses a large catch radius, and he was often able to extend up above the rim to haul in a pass. Mayer has some quickness to his game, which helps when trying to create separation. Some tough catches in traffic have also been put on film, and his frame is an asset when boxing out defenders is necessary. With his strong build, he is able to rumble once he picks up some speed, and can be tough to bring down. Yards after the catch have often come after contact. Though not perfect in this area, Mayer has generally been pretty solid as a blocker. The things to workout are more so technical, and he has the necessary size and strength to succeed. Overall, he has done a good enough job sustaining blocks, and he has enough quickness to be effective in space.
Weaknesses:
Mayer brings some athleticism to the position, but more so in terms of quickness, rather than speed. In terms of straight line ability, he doesn’t stand out as being a dynamic player, which might make it a bit tougher to separate at the next level. He does some good things as a route runner, but they are not always as crisp as they could be. There are instances of rounded corners that make it easier for defenders to blanket the route. While Mayer has made several impressive catches throughout his college career, concentration drops have also snuck into the film. As a blocker, he is pretty solid. Perhaps he could sustain a bit longer on some occasions. Bigger opponents have given him trouble at times. There were also a few instances of bad angles when pulling across the line. Further, his timing could be improved by just a touch.
Summary:
Mayer is a well rounded TE with the tools to be a good receiving threat and a good blocker. This skill set allows him to play in-line, but also in the slot quite often, and outside from time to time. He doesn’t have the dynamic speed that we’ve seen in some TE’s in recent drafts, but Mayer does well to use his catch radius to his advantage, and should continue to do so in the NFL.
| Grade: 85.6 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Darnell Washington
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 264 lbs
Strengths:
From a measurables standpoint, I think you can undoubtedly say that Washington is a freak of nature. The size and length he possesses allows him to be a mismatch in several different areas of the game. His catch radius is enormous, and he can tower over LB’s as they go up for the ball. Washington has a sticky set of mitts, which allow him to keep control of the ball as he comes back down. He is a very good athlete for his size. Straight line speed is very good, which makes him a nice weapon when attacking the seam. After the catch, he won’t make many guys miss, but he sure can rumble. He is tough to bring down and can carry a pile along with him as the yards pile up. Washington’s size and strength make him a dominant force as a blocker. Probably the best in the class. In fact, he was used as a blocker far more often than he was as a receiver. His massie frame and long reach make him a major chore to go up against, whether on a run play or pass play. At times, he can even look like an extra OT out there. Washington anchors well against power, and blocks well on the move.
Weaknesses:
With such a tall frame, there is naturally some stiffness. Though he is a good athlete, the stiffness does hold him back in some areas. It is especially noticeable in his route running. Creating separation is tougher as a result. As well, he runs very loose, casual routes, even when taking some of the limitations into account. He will need to improve his technique. Though it is less of an issue, his blocking technique could also use a few tweaks. A big concern with Washington will be his lack of receiving production in college. Though the reason was largely due to two things. One being another tremendous TE who got the bulk of the targets, the other that his advanced ability as a blocker led to him being used more often as one. Still, not being able to visibly see more production will, at the very least, cause some teams to wonder.
Summary:
Washington has rare size, at a position where most of the players are pretty big to begin with. His reach allows for a huge mismatch to be had in the passing game, and he has the straight line speed to attack the seam. Wahington’s blocking will further earn him some high praise. It is rare to see a TE be able to block as well as he does. There are some limitations when it comes to lateral mobility, which affects his route running. IMproving his technique will help, but the limitation won’t totally go away. Team will need to use him in a certain way, but if used right, the upside is huge.
| Grade: 85.0 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Luke Musgrave
School: Oregon State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 253 lbs
Strengths:
Musgrave is an athletic TE who also possesses the desired length for the position. He is a very smooth mover. His routes are generally pretty solid and he is able to create separation for himself. You see the odd drop, but overall, he is a reliable catcher of the football. Musgrave is able to elevate high into the air for the ball. His catch radius, in addition to his athleticism, makes him tough to defend down the field, because these traits allow him to win in multiple different ways. To add onto that, he is able to win from the in-line position, but also out wide or in the slot. Musgrave can be pretty elusive with the ball in his hands. Though not a burner, he can rack up the yards when he’s got space in front of him, and he is agile enough to make some sharp cuts to elude tackles.
Weaknesses:
Musgrave has the height, but his frame is on the lean side for the position. Contact during his route can throw him off more than you’d like to see. At this point, he is significantly better when given free releases. This also has a bit of an impact on his ability to make plays in traffic. I would still say that he is strong at the catch point, but his game in this area can still use some improvement. The issue also shows up when tasked with blocking. Whether in the pass or run game, he usually has trouble sustaining his blocks. In order to become a complete player, Musgrave’s blocking will have to improve.
Summary:
Musgrave is a high end receiving prospect at the TE position. He has the desired athleticism and length to do serious damage. He can elevate for the football, he can separate down the field, and he can make plays after the catch. To improve at the next level, Musgrave will need to add bulk to his frame. This should help him fight off contact during his route, and hopefully improve his blocking as well.
| Grade: 84.0 | Round Grade: 2nd |
5
Sam LaPorta
School: Iowa
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 245 lbs
Strengths:
LaPorta is a very fluid TE. His route running is clean and crisp, which leads to pretty consistent separation. LaPorta can put his foot in the ground and make a sharp cut. Iowa took advantage of this ability, and moved him all over the formation. LaPorta ran routes from the boundary and slot, in addition to the traditional in-line TE position. He succeeded in each place. The quickness he possesses allows him to win from the boundary. When in space, LaPorta can pile up the yards. His speed is an asset, and he quickly eats up the grass that is in front of him, often before making a man or two miss. As a receiver, he possesses sticky hands, and is comfortable catching away from his body. LaPorta also looked comfortable making catches over the shoulder. While I wouldn’t say that contested catches are his calling card, he has shown to be capable of elevating for the ball, and he is definitely comfortable making catches in traffic.
Weaknesses:
Blocking is definitely the biggest weakness to his game. LaPorta was used a decent amount as a blocker. While his initial positioning was usually pretty solid, he never really showed that he had the strength to sustain it. Pass rushers often were able to shed it pretty easily. LaPorta is a good receiver, but I wouldn’t say top notch when it comes to contested situations. He doesn’t have the height to be consistently dominant in this area.
Summary:
LaPorta appeals due to his versatility as a receiver. He can line up on the outside, in the slot, on in-line, and his quickness and crisp route running should allow him to have success at the next level. He is a hands catcher, and is comfortable in traffic. However, while solid, he isn’t a dominant contested catch guy, and in terms of catch radius, it is good but not great. This somewhat limits his upside. The biggest issue is his blocking. He seems to be capable. His athleticism translates, and if he can get stronger and improve technique, there should be some improvement. Given his overall skill set, LaPorta can be a starting TE.
| Grade: 78.3 | Round Grade: 3rd |
6
Davis Allen
School: Clemson
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 245 lbs
Strengths:
Allen has great hands and a tremendously large catch radius. He catches nearly every target that is within his range. With a catch radius this large, the QB has the leeway to place the ball in a spot where it is close to impossible for the defender to get to. Allen shows outstanding body control in the air. He is able to adjust to passes after he has already left the ground, and then keep control of it as he comes back down. The awareness to tap his toes along the sideline is there. Allen is someone who can be a major weapon for a team in the redzone. Allen possesses decent straight line speed. He can be used on routes down the field and is capable of winning races to the 1st down marker, if he starts with a bit of space in front of him. Allen has flashed a little potential as a blocker, and should have room to improve.
Weaknesses:
Allen is a good but not great athlete. While his speed is decent, he is not a burner and he does not have that extra gear. Furthermore, he is not the twitchiest athlete. Stiffness is a bit evident when he is going in and out of his breaks. His route running isn’t the greatest, and creating separation on the ground isn’t always something his strong suit. He can pick up some yards after the catch, but won’t be making too many people miss. As a blocker, you see the odd flash, but Allen’s technique can be quite sloppy, and he seems to lack the necessary strength to anchor and create push on a consistent basis.
Summary:
Allen has the tools to be an offensive threat for a team, if used the right way. He might have the best hands and largest catch radius of anyone in this draft class. He can be a weapon from any part of the field, but the redzone is where he can especially thrive. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have dynamic athleticism to go along with the other tools. I wouldn’t say he’s a poor athlete, but he won’t be heavily concerning teams in this area. His route running isn’t great and separation on the ground isn’t really his thing. Allen has had the odd flash as a blocker, but will need to use better technique, and probably add some strength to really become an asset in this area. Overall, the athleticism may turn some teams off, but if used right, Allen can be a tremendous weapon on offense, and has starter potential in the right system.
| Grade: 76.1 | Round Grade: 3rd |
7
Tucker Kraft
School: South Dakota State
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 254 lbs
Strengths:
Kraft has a tall frame with the necessary reach to be an asset in the passing game, and the strength and bulk to be a plus blocker. Though not a dynamic athlete, Kraft is able to pick up some speed as the route progresses. He is able to get relatively deep down the field, where the QB can put one up for him to go and get. His big catch radius makes it very tough for defenders to cover him, even if separation isn’t great. Kraft can rumble after the catch. He is not afraid of contact and will often run right through people. On some occasions it almost looks like he is not even acknowledging the defender that is about to attempt a tackle. He knows that he will usually win the power battle. As a blocker, the strength is also evident, in both the passing game and run game. He can sustain his blocks longer than many TE’s in this class, and his frame suggests that there is no reason why it shouldn’t translate to the next level.
Weaknesses:
On tape, Kraft looks like an average athlete. Though he picks up a bit of speed as the route progresses, his early steps have him looking a little bit like he is stuck in the mud. This, as well as some lateral stiffness, generally prevents him from creating a lot of separation. As well, his route running technique is not refined, and his routes often look rounded and sloppy. As a pass catcher, you see some talent, but eliminating concentration drops will be necessary. Looking at the other phase of the game, his blocking needs more development from a technical standpoint. Kraft’s pad level can elevate too much, and his positioning is inconsistent. Being a small school prospect, the lower tier of competition that he usually faced is also something that teams might factor into his evaluation.
Summary:
Kraft is a good pass catcher with the catch radius and body control necessary to make catches over top of defenders. His strength and power make him an asset after the catch, and give him a lot of promise as a blocker. That said, several areas of his game are in need of technical refinement, including his route running and blocking. As well, average athleticism puts a cap on his ceiling. Still his positive traits give him a solid enough floor and he could potentially become a pretty well rounded starter if he makes some improvements.
| Grade: 75.9 | Round Grade: 3rd |
8
Zack Kuntz
School: Old Dominion
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 255 lbs
Strengths:
Kuntz brings very good size and athleticism to the table, and is someone who can develop into a high end TE1. He has a tall frame and a huge catch radius. You see the kind of mismatches that he can create through the air when at his best. His speed and agility are surprisingly very good when you look at his frame. Kuntz can run by LB’s attempting to cover him, and he has the ability to make sharp cuts at the top of his routes, allowing him to create a nice amount of separation. This athleticism allows coaches to use hi out wide and in the slot, as well as in the traditional in-line position. Given his lean frame, Kuntz is a lot stronger than I would have expected. There have been instances where he showed pretty good power as a blocker.
Weaknesses:
Kuntz has shown flashes as a contested ball threat. However, there have also been some inconsistencies. His timing is a bit off at times, which prevents him from high pointing the ball. As well, he hasn’t always been able to come down with targets that required acrobatic catches. Flashes are there, but he was hit or miss at times. Bobbles also show up from time to time. Kuntz has put some nice flashes on tape as a blocker too. However, getting a bit stronger will help his consistency. Additionally, he will need to improve his technique. Kuntz often plays at a high pad level, and ends up losing the leverage battle.
Summary:
Kuntz is a high upside player with the catch radius and athleticism to do some serious damage as a pass catcher. He also possesses the potential to develop his blocking ability and become a complete player. But to make it to that point, his consistency when it comes to acrobatic catches will need to improve, and the same can be said about his technique as a blocker.
| Grade: 74.7 | Round Grade: 4th |
9
Josh Whyle
School: Cincinnati
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 248 lbs
Strengths:
Whyle is a solid all around TE with the ability to be used in a variety of different ways. His athleticism unlocks down the field usage, but also opens the door to potentially boatloads of yards after the catch. On tape, you see not only great speed, but enough agility to make people miss. He has good length and contested catch ability has been seen in some flashes. The Cincinnati product does a good job of finding the soft spots in zone coverage, and taking advantage. He generally has pretty reliable hands. Whyle was used quite often as a blocker and definitely held his own, both in the pass and run game.
Weaknesses:
Whyle is lacking much polish to his game at this point. Though he has the athleticism to threaten down the field, his route running is often rounded and easier to defend. His frame would suggest that he can be an above the rim guy, but I can’t say that I saw a whole ton of it. As well, a tendency to make body catches makes me wonder if he will be able to consistently put that long reach to full use. Whyle is a good blocker, but can still add some strength in order to generate a bit more forward push.
Summary:
Whyle has some good tools that leave him with a nice amount of upside. The speed and quickness can certainly go a long way, both in helping him get open down the field, and also picking up yards after the catch. He also is a decent blocker at this stage, and additional strength should only help. Though he has the frame to win above the rim, I do wonder how consistently he will do this at the next level. That is one thing he will have to prove. Additionally, his route running will need to get better. Overall, he has starter potential, but should make for a good TE2 if he doesn’t make it that far.
| Grade: 73.6 | Round Grade: 4th |
10
Luke Schoonmaker
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 251 lbs
Strengths:
Schoonmaker is a solid all around TE prospect. Though not elite, his speed is solid and he is nimble enough to work his way down the field. Hands are generally reliable and he did well on quite a few occasions to reach down and make the catch. He received his fair share of bad passes. He does well to work his way into open gaps, and is an effective dump off target for the QB. His strength isn’t off the charts, but it is enough to have some success as a blocker. His technique is pretty good as well, he generally stays square, and can sustain long enough to have a positive effect on the play.
Weaknesses:
Schoonmaker is solid in most areas, but master of none. While he is a fine athlete, his speed doesn’t quite look as good on tape as his testing showed at the combine. Further, he can be a little stiff as a runner, which does limit him a little in terms of creating separation and picking up yards after the catch. He has a decent sized frame, but I didn’t really get to see him use it too often in the passing game. That is, he didn’t really get too many opportunities to really elevate up for the ball, so I do wonder if this is something he can bring with consistency at the next level. As a blocker, he generally does well, but getting a bit stronger would allow him to sustain his blocks a little longer. Will be old for a rookie, which may hurt his stock.
Summary:
Schoonmaker is a solid all around TE. He is reliable and can meet the baseline thresholds in most areas. However, he doesn’t excel in any one particular starter. For every good trait he possesses, he has another that might hold him back a little. At the next level, he can potentially be a low end starter. Though not a dynamic player, he is athletic enough to make some plays, and his hands looked reliable on tape, though I’m not sure he was challenged in every way. His ability as a blocker also raises his floor. Though there is room for improvement, he is ahead of a lot of the other prospects in this class. At the very least, Schoonmaker should make for a solid TE 2 or 3 at the next level. Low end TE 1 is the ceiling.
| Grade: 72.6 | Round Grade: 4th |
11
Brenton Strange
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 253 lbs
Strengths:
Strange brings good athleticism to the TE room. You notice the spring in his step when he is running up the seam. He gets up the field quickly and can go for a long gain on these routes. Where he does most of his damage as a receiver is on shorter dump offs where he is able to use his speed to pick up yards after the catch. He is quick enough to make people miss in the open field, but also has plenty of power to lower the shoulder when necessary. This power also comes in handy as a blocker. He was used often in this role, and did it from the in-line position and as a FB/H-Back. Though not always perfect from a technical standpoint, it was still a big positive to his game, and should translate nicely to the NFL level.
Weaknesses:
Strange profiles mainly as a security blanket type of player in the passing game. Though he has the athleticism to threaten in certain areas down the field, his route running is too underdeveloped to really succeed with a more diverse route tree. As well, he wasn’t someone who went above the rim very often to make a play. Drops also showed up from time to time. As a blocker, nothing too major, but he can take better angles on some of his blocks.
Summary:
I don’t think he quite brings enough as a receiver to be a true number 1. However, Strange’s blocking gives him a solid floor as a TE2, and his ability to do it from different alignments adds a nice element. For a TE2, he brings enough as a receiver. Strange has the skills to be a reliable security blanket, but the damage he can do goes a bit beyond that, thanks to his ability to pick up yards after the catch.
| Grade: 68.9 | Round Grade: 5th |
12
Payne Durham
School: Purdue
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 253 lbs
Strengths:
Durham brings good size and bulk for the position. Though he has not yet perfected the craft, he is a good blocker with the strength to sustain in pass protection, and create a little push in the run game. He has experience lining up at the FB position and looks good as a lead blocker. As a pass catcher he displays great body control to make tough catches, especially around the sideline. His hands are very reliable, even in a lot of traffic. Durham is someone who can be a good asset in the redzone. He has the ability to stretch out for the ball, and can win over the rim. Durham was invited to the Senior Bowl and turned in a good well of work.
Weaknesses:
Durham has the skills to be a high quality TE, but unfortunately is lacking in the athleticism department. He is a clunky mover and affords too much opportunity for a defender to undercut his route. His routes lack precision and are not crisp enough to create that quick separation. Sticking with the same theme, he lacks the speed to pick up very many yards after the catch, and doesn’t have the quickness to elude tacklers. Some extra yards do come thanks to his ability to power his way forward, but these gains are usually modest.
Summary:
Durham has a well rounded set of positional skills that give him a pretty solid floor at the next level. He should, at the very least, have a role as a blocker. But his plus contested catch ability and body control will allow him to have some success as a receiver, as well. His lack of athleticism, however, does limit his upside. The problem will likely prevent him from becoming a starter, but he could potentially be a TE2, or a very high end TE3.
| Grade: 68.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
13
Will Mallory
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 239 lbs
Strengths:
Mallory plays with impressive speed, which has been his biggest asset as an offensive weapon. He is a good player with the ball in his hands. Mallory can quickly eat up yards, and his stop/start ability is quite good for a TE, and allows him to dodge tackles, and pick back up without losing too much momentum. His speed gives him potential to win and separate down the field at the next level. Route running is already pretty good, with room to improve. On numerous occasions, he was able to turn his body at full speed to haul in passes at the back shoulder.
Weaknesses:
Although he has a pretty tall frame, he doesn’t have much of a game above the rim. It just isn’t something he did that often. Further, he had some struggles making plays in traffic and fighting off contact, which leads me to believe that there is a low probability of significant development to his above the rim game at the next level. Mallory often is content making body catches, and there are instances where some of his hand catches look a little bit awkward. He was tasked with blocking sometimes, but will need to get stronger in order to be effective.
Summary:
Mallory profiles as a depth TE at the next level, who can make some splashy plays from time to time. His speed is an asset, and designs plays like screens are where he really can do damage. However, his inability to play above the rim and fight through contact puts a pretty big limit on his game. As well, he will need to get a lot stronger to improve as a blocker, which might be necessary if he can’t earn a bigger role just as a pass catching TE.
| Grade: 65.6 | Round Grade: 5th |
14
Blake Whiteheart
School: Wake Forest
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 247 lbs
Strengths:
Whiteheart has good size and decent enough bulk for the position. He is a useful receiver over the middle of the field. Whiteheart possesses strong hands and can extend beyond his frame to make tough arial catches. He is good in contested situations, not only being able to go above his opponents for the ball, but doing it with the body control required to make tough adjustments to the ball. Whiteheart has shown flashes as a blocker. He is definitely happy to chip in, and his aggressiveness shows. His best moments as a blocker come when on the move, where he does a good job of sealing off his opponent.
Weaknesses:
Production as a receiver was low. This means that future production is a projection based on a handful of flashes. He isn’t the best athlete, even for the TE position. His routes are sluggish and he has a decent amount of trouble separating against man coverage. Whitehart’s in-line blocking does not match his blocking in space. While he puts in the necessary effort, he often gets overpowered. Adding strength is something he’ll need to do.
Summary:
Whiteheart brings good ball skills and contested catch ability to the passing game. His work as a blocker in space adds to the value, and his overall potential as a blocker is something to consider. However, he lacks the athleticism to be a true threat as a receiver, and his ceiling is likely that of a number 2, as a result. Whiteheart will need to add strength and improve as an in-line blocker in order to maximize his value.
| Grade: 62.7 | Round Grade: 6th |
15
Cameron Latu
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 242 lbs
Strengths:
Latu is a solid enough athlete to manage in the short-mid passing game. He has shown the ability to extend up above his frame for the ball. He comes down with those kinds of targets more often than not. His hands are generally reliable, even in contested situations. He is someone that can be an asset near the goal line. Not only due to his ability to make tough grabs up high, but he also does a good job of subtly leaking out on play action passes, finding himself open in the flat.
Weaknesses:
Latu isn’t a clunky mover, but also doesn’t possess dynamic speed to truly threaten down the field or pick up many yards after the catch. His route running is relatively easy to mirror, as he can be a bit slow getting in and out of his breaks. As a blocker, he seems to lack the mass at this time to have much of an impact. He gets overpowered a little when blocking in-line. When split out to block, there have been too many whiffs and bad angles.
Summary:
Latu projects as a depth TE at the next level. He doesn’t have the athleticism or blocking ability to create a regular role for himself. However, he has enough redzone ability to potentially make some splash plays here and there that are enough to earn him the 3rd slot on a depth chart. With some technical work, perhaps he ends up a TE2 at some point. But that is probably a ways away.
| Grade: 56.5 | Round Grade: 7th |
FB Rankings:
1
Hunter Luepke
School: North Dakota State
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 230 lbs
Strengths:
Surprisingly nimble for a FB. Luepke was used in a variety of ways, and though he is probably a below average athlete by RB or even TE standards, he looks to be in the higher end of the spectrum for a FB. As a ball carrier out of the backfield, he brings a lot of power and can be an asset near the goal line. He also has soft hands and is a pretty solid route runner. Luepke has the size and strength to be an asset as a lead blocker, and can also do it from the in-line position. These traits, along with his athleticism, should make him a valuable special teamer.
Weaknesses:
As a blocker, some technical improvements can be made and he can take better angles. Athleticism doesn’t stack up to that of a true RB or TE. Given the hard-nosed nature of the position, a little more nastiness would be nice.
Summary:
Luepke projects as a high quality FB at the next level. Though it is a dying breed in the NFL, the top 3 or 4 still do have roles on teams that still utilize a traditional FB. He has technical improvements to make as a blocker, but the ability and measurables are there. As well, his ability to carry the ball, catch passes, and play special teams significantly helps his chances of landing somewhere, whether it is as a draft pick or a UDFA.
| Grade: 87.8 | Weighted Round Grade: 6th |
2
Monte Pottebaum
School: Iowa
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 242 lbs
Strengths
Pottebaum is your old fashioned FB. He plays with a mean streak on every snap, looking to flatten anyone that crosses his path. He blocks out of the backfield with good speed and good technique, squaring up to his opponent and delivering a punishing blow. Pottebaum was mainly a lead blocker, but also saw some snaps as an in-line blocker, and got the odd catch or carry.
Weaknesses:
His athleticism looks fine when thinking of what the FB position has traditionally meant. However, these days, teams that still use a FB are often looking for more utility out of their guy. They want a guy that can block, but also run routes and catch passes, or carry the football. Pottebaum doesn’t have the twitchiness to do much of those, outside of the odd occasion.
Summary:
Pottebaum doesn’t fit the mould of a new age FB that can also serve essentially as an undersized TE that can catch passes down the field. He plays old school, smash mouth football. The skill set he brings is in little demand these days. But if a team is looking for a true FB who can deliver punishing blocks and open up lanes for the RB, Pottebaum can certainly do that.
| Grade: 72.1 | Weighted Round Grade: UDFA |
3
Brayden Willis
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 241 lbs
Strengths:
Willis has good hands and can make catches along the sideline. He has a big frame and can still add. This should help maximize success as a blocker. Willis looked pretty solid blocking out of the backfield. Also has plenty of experience blocking from the in-line position.
Weaknesses:
Not a good athlete from a TE standpoint. Looks sluggish when moving in the open field, and his route running is sloppy. Has ability as a blocker, but whiffs and bad angles make him a work in progress at this point. There are times where he reverts to borderline holding. Needs to get stronger.
Summary:
Willis lacks the athleticism to be a true TE, but he does have good hands and can make catches along the sideline. He most likely is an H-Back at the next level. Willis is solid blocking out of the backfield. As an in-line blocker, technique needs a good amount of work. Getting stronger will also be necessary.
| Grade: 60.7 | Weighted Round Grade: UDFA |
4
Griffin Hebert
School: Louisiana Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 239 lbs
Strengths:
Hebert is a player that brings a lot of versatility. He was a TE at Louisiana Tech and often was lined up in-line. But also lined up often in the slot. Hebert is a smooth athlete with the ability to block in space. Looking at it from the perspective of a FB, he has that ability to get upfield quickly to take defenders out of the play. The athleticism translates into the passing game. He runs smooth routes and is able to create some separation from the slot.
Weaknesses:
Hebert is a tweener. Doesn’t have even close to the height that you look for in a TE. His frame is pretty bulked up for a 6’1” WR, but for a FB, he doesn’t have enough bulk. As an in-line blocker, he wasn’t always able to sustain his block for more than a short time, and he allowed his opponent to make a play on the ball carrier, on some occasions. Hebert will definitely need to add strength and bulk up his frame for the position.
Summary:
Hebert is an interesting evaluation. Nowhere close to the size to continue on at TE at the next level, so what’s next? Some may prefer to have him drop weight and try out as a slot receiver. But another route would be to add bulk and strength, and make the switch to FB. Getting stronger will be necessary to handle the blocking duties. If he can block with consistency, his athleticism and receiving ability may be enough to attract teams looking for a do it all FB. He should be able to contribute on special teams as well. Given the lack of value at the position, and the development still needed, he is a likely UDFA, but Hebert has a chance to be a solid pro.
| Grade: 60.2 | Weighted Round Grade: UDFA |
5
Jack Colletto
School: Oregon State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 239 lbs
Strengths:
Colletto has good athleticism for the position. He has the ability to be used as an offensive weapon, whether it is catching passes or even running the wildcat. His acceleration helps him get to the right areas quickly as a lead blocker. Colletto plays fearless, and is not scared to drop his shoulder and lay everything into the guy in front of him.
Weaknesses:
Colletto has bounced around positions, at one point serving as a LB, before eventually seeing time at FB. On tape, he seems to be very lean for a FB, and I question how effective he’ll be in this role at the next level. He can make some plays as an offensive weapon, but is there anything that stands out enough to use a roster spot on him? Perhaps bulking up further would make teams more confident in him as a FB, and his additional capabilities would serve as a bonus.
Summary:
Colletto is a positionless player who technically settled at FB. As it stands now, I wonder about his size for the position. But he does have the demeanor and athleticism to do well, if he can bulk up. Colletto can make plays as a gadget type player, and can also play on special teams. A team would have to be creative to get their money’s worth out of it. But he could make some kind of an impact on the right team, likely as an undrafted free agent.
| Grade: 59.2 | Weighted Round Grade: UDFA |
TE Rankings:
- Dalton Kincaid (85.7, Rd 1)
- Michael Mayer (85.6, Rd 1)
- Darnell Washington (85.0, Rd 1)
- Luke Musgrave (84.0, Rd 2)
- Sam LaPorta (78.3, Rd 3)
- Davis Allen (76.1, Rd 3)
- Tucker Kraft (75.9, Rd 3)
- Zack Kuntz (74.7, Rd 4)
- Josh Whyle (73.6, Rd 4)
- Luke Schoonmaker (72.6, Rd 4)
- Brenton Strange (68.9, Rd 5)
- Payne Durham (68.8, Rd 5)
- Will Mallory (65.6, Rd 5)
- Blake Whiteheart (62.7, Rd 6)
- Cameron Latu (56.5, Rd 7)
FB Rankings:
- Hunter Luepke (87.8, Rd 6)*
- Monte Pottebaum (72.1, UDFA)*
- Brayden Willis (60.7, UDFA)*
- Griffin Hebert (60.2, UDFA)*
- Jack Colletto (59.2, UDFA)*
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Chad Kainz (CC)