TE Rankings 2021 NFL Tight End Rankings Projected Rounds: 1. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida: Top 10 Pick, 2. Pat Friermuth, TE, Penn State: Round 2, 3. Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami FL: Round 2, 4. Hunter Long, TE, Boston College: Round 3, 5. Kenny Yeboah, TE, Ole Miss: Round 4, 6. Noah Gray, TE, Duke: Round 4, 7. Tre McKitty, TE, Georgia: Round 5, 8. Quintin Morris, TE, Bowling Green: Round 6, 9. Kylen Granson, TE, SMU: Round 6, 10. Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri: Round 7












2021 NFL Draft: Tight End Rankings





Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: March 12, 2021.



  1. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida Projected Round Top 10 Pick

    2020 Season Recap The 6-6 246 lb Kyle Pitts was the number one target on the Florida Gators despite being a tight end. Kyle Pitts had 43 receptions, 770 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns.


    Kyle Pitts SWOT Report

    Strengths: Can be a physical tight end at times. He's a natural tight end. You will see Pitts perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Has an extremely high football IQ. He can run all 30 different routes on the route tree. His run after the catch skills are tremendous and really stand out. He's a natural at high pointing the football. Dominant in the red zone. He's got good athleticism and he's durable. Excelled against the best competition College Football has to offer in the SEC. Has soft hands and can time catches with precisely with his finger tips. Has a killer mentality as well as the ability to stretch the defense. Can leap in the air when jumping to make a catch. The potential to be a number one tight end is there. He reminds me of Darren Waller and is the only tight end in this draft class with the ceiling to be a Pro Bowl tight end even though this draft class has other tight ends that could be solid starters.


    Displays an excellent first step. Can use a jab step to fade out defensive backs on deep throws. Absolutely dominates in the red zone despite what his stats say. His blocking against Georgia when watching his tape looked dominant.


    Weaknesses: Kyle Pitts doesn't really have a weakness outside of the occassional drops on medium passes when their are defenders in traffic. He can catch any short or deep ball.


    Opportunities: 5. Cincinnati Bengals, 6. Philadelphia Eagles, 8. Carolina Panthers, 10. Dallas Cowboys, and 11. New York Giants. I mocked Pitts to the New York Giants, but feel like he will go in the top 10 now.


    Threats: Kyle Pitts has no threats. He's got the highest potential grade I've ever given a tight end with a 96 potential grade. He's also got the best floor and immediate impact ability of any prospect in this draft class outside of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. This is why a lot of scouts and people within Draft Twitter have this guy ranked as high as second or third overall on their big boards.


    Potential Grade: 96/99



    Before 2020

    Kyle Pitts led Florida with 54 receptions and 649 receiving yards in 2019. Pitts also had 5 receiving touchdowns. If Kyle Pitts can improve on his stats or get at least 10 receiving touchdowns in 2020, then Kyle Pitts can go in the first round. Florida's offensive coordinator referred to Kyle Pitts as the chess piece of their offense.




  2. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State Projected Round 2nd Round

    2020 Season Recap The 6-5 258 lb Pat Freiermuth was the number one target on the Penn State Nittany Lions despite being a tight end. He entered 2020 as the top tight end in College Football as well as the top ranked tight end in some 2021 NFL Drafts by surprising many with his decision to return to Penn State. Pat Freiermuth only had 23 receptions, 310 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown in 2020.


    Pat Freiermuth SWOT Report

    Strengths: Can be a physical tight end at times. He's a natural tight end. You will see Freiermuth perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Has an extremely high football IQ. He can run all 30 different routes on the route tree. His run after the catch skills are tremendous and really stand out. He's a natural at high pointing the football. Dominant in the red zone.


    Capable of making spectacular catches like one-handed catches or can catch the ball in traffic. He can catch anything that comes his way.


    Weaknesses: Pat Freiermuth does not have the athleticism you want a tight end to have. You'd also like to see him improve as a jumper.


    Opportunities: 45. Jacksonville Jaguars, 46. New England Patriots, 47. Los Angeles Chargers, 49. Arizona Cardinals, and 53. Tennessee Titans could all be options for Freiermuth in the second round. He's the best tight end not named Kyle Pitts.


    Threats: Pat Freiermuth tore his ACL in 2020. He's the second best tight end in this draft when fully healthy.


    Potential Grade: 87/99



    Before 2020

    Pat Freirmuth had 26 receptions, 368 receiving yards, and a career high 8 receiving touchdowns as a true freshman taking over for Mike Gesicki in 2018. Pat Freirmuth had 43 receptions, 507 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns in 2019. A strong senior season could make Pat Freirmuth the first tight end drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft.




  3. Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami FL Projected Round 2nd Round

    2020 Season Recap The 6-3 245 Brevin Jordan was the number one target on the Miami Hurricanes despite being a tight end. Brevin Jordan had 38 receptions, 576 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns in 2020.


    Brevin Jordan SWOT Report

    Strengths: Can be a physical tight end at times. He's a natural tight end. You will see Jordan perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Has an extremely high football IQ. He can run all 30 different routes on the route tree. His run after the catch skills are tremendous and really stand out. He's a natural at high pointing the football. Dominant in the red zone. He's great with yards after the catch.


    Brevin Jordan has soft hands. Can leap into the air while jumping. Capable of making spectacular catches like one-handed catches or can catch the ball in traffic. He can catch anything that comes his way. Has better speed and athleticism than Pat Freirmuth.


    Weaknesses: Struggles as a blocker. Brevin Jordan can be the steal of this draft if he improves his blocking.


    Opportunities: 45. Jacksonville Jaguars, 46. New England Patriots, 47. Los Angeles Chargers, 49. Arizona Cardinals, and 53. Tennessee Titans could all be options for Jordanin the second round. He's the best tight end not named Kyle Pitts or Pat Freiermuth.


    Threats: There are no threats with Brevin Jordan. While most have a third round grade on him, I have a second round grade on him because you can honestly make a case for him being a safer tight end prospect than Pat Freirmuth.


    Potential Grade: 87/99



    Before 2020

    Brevin Jordan had 32 receptions, 287 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns as a true freshman in 2018. Brevin Jordan had 35 receptions, 495 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns in 2019. Brevin Jordan can put himself in the conversation to be the first tight end drafted as well as solidify his status as a top three tight end with a strong 2020.




  4. Hunter Long, TE, Boston College Projected Round 3rd Round

    2020 Season Recap The 6-5 254 Hunter Long was the number one target on the Boston College despite being a tight end. Hunter Long had 57 receptions, 685 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns in 2020.


    Hunter Long SWOT Report

    Strengths: Hunter Long does everything well despite not being elite in any category like the top 3 tight ends in this draft. Can be a physical tight end at times. He's a natural tight end. You will see Long perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Has an extremely high football IQ. He can run all 30 different routes on the route tree.


    Capable of making spectacular catches like one-handed catches or can catch the ball in traffic. He can catch anything that comes his way. Did a good job blocking for running back A.J. Dillon as a sophomore in 2019.


    Weaknesses: He's does not have one elite trait. You'd like to see him show more explosion when jumping. He dropped a few passes during practice in the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl.


    Opportunities: He could get picked anywhere in the third round. I see someone who could go as high as the Washington Football Team and fall to where the New England Patriots hold the very first compensation pick of the 2021 NFL Draft at 96.


    Threats: There are no threats with Hunter Long. He could be a great starter, but needs to be with the right tight end coach.


    Potential Grade: 86/99



    Before 2020

    Hunter Long had 28 receptions, 509 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns in his first season as a starter in 2019 after backup up Tommy Sweeney as a freshman in 2018. Phil Jurkovic is transferring from Notre Dame to Boston College. Hunter Long is the one target that Jurkovic can depend on in the passing game when 2020 begins.




  5. Kenny Yeboah, TE, Ole Miss Projected Round 4th Round

    2018 Season Recap The 6-3 247 lb Kenny Yeboah had his best season at Ole Miss. Ole Miss already had a reliable target in Elijah Moore. Yeboah came to Ole Miss from Temple as a graduate transfer for 2020. Kenny Yeboah had 27 receptions, 524 receiving yards, and 6 receiving touchdowns during his senior redshirt season at Ole Miss in 2020.


    Kenny Yeboah SWOT Report

    Strengths: Has a good first step. Wins a lot of battles with body control. He's got the fluidity and burst that you want a tight end to have. Kenny Yeboah has soft hands. He dominated on film against Alabama's safeties in 2020.


    Weaknesses: Kenny Yeboah lacks the twitch you want a tight end to have. He's not overly fast. Needs to develop his route tree. Dropped more catches in Mobile than Boston College tight end Hunter Long. Can be neutralized with good coverage by a linebacker or a defensive back.


    Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Kenny Yeboah. Ole Miss produced two starting tight ends in Evan Engram and Dawson Knox. I believe Kenny Yeboah has just enough upside to be borderline starter in the NFL. He's one of two tight ends that you can get on day 3 that could be a starter and at the very worst a high end number two tight end like Harrison Bryant in Cleveland who Lane Kiffin also coached.


    Threats: Kenny Yeboah is the only tight end that I scouted so far that may have more weaknesses than strengths. This isn't a red flag, but its something to keep in mind if you draft him.


    Potential Grade: 85/99



    Before 2020

    Kenny Yeboah played wide receiver, defensive back, kick returner, and punt returner in High School before converting to tight end at Temple. He was originally going to transfer to Baylor for his senior season, but after Matt Rhule got hired by Carolina he ended up enrolling at Ole Miss as a graduate transfer.




  6. Noah Gray, TE, Duke Projected Round 4th Round

    2020 Season Recap The 6-3 240 lb Noah Gray was the primary target on the Duke Blue Devils in 2020 after leading Duke with targets in 2019. Noah Gray had 29 receptions, 285 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns in 2020. He caught every pass thrown his way during practices at the 2021 Reeses's Senior Bowl.


    Noah Gray SWOT Report

    Strengths: Noah Gray does everything well. David Cutcliffe said he had the best football IQ from a player he's seen since Peyton Manning. Can be a physical tight end at times. He's a natural tight end. You will see Gray perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Has an extremely high football IQ. He can run all 30 different routes on the route tree.


    Capable of making spectacular catches like one-handed catches or can catch the ball in traffic. He can catch anything that comes his way. Did a good job blocking for Duke's running backs. The only tight end in this draft that I've seen so far line up at fullback. You can position this guy anywhere as far as formation goes.


    Dave Cutcliffe pointed out how Noah Gray lined up as a second running back, fullback, wide receiver, tight end, and a third offensive tackle. You could argue this makes Noah Gray the most versatile tight end in the entire draft. His work ethic is phenomenal as he never missed a practice or team meeting during his four years at Duke.


    Noah Gray has decent body control. He's got great acceleration for a tight end as well. He can also play on special teams if you need him to.


    Weaknesses: Noah Gray needs to add more muscle without affecting his athleticism. This is his biggest area of improvement and it's really the only thing he can work on. Noah Gray is a good athlete, but he's never going to be a great athlete despite possibly having the best football IQ of any tight end in this draft. That limits his ceiling to a borderline starter.


    Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Noah Gray. Some scouts have a seventh round grade on Noah Gray, but he caught a 7-10 touchdowns during warmups during practice at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. He was also the only tight end to go the entire week without dropping a pass which is why Noah Gray has catapulted all the way up to the fourth round of my rankings.


    Threats: Noah Gray does not have any threats. He seems like a pretty safe tight end to draft.


    Potential Grade: 85/99



    Before 2020

    Noah Gray was a contributor in 2017 and 2018 when Daniel Jones was the quarterback at Duke. Noah Gray didn't become the starting tight end until 2019 when he led Duke with 51 receptions. Noah Gray also had 392 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. Back in the Summer NFL Draft Diamonds founder and owner Damond Talbot compared the Duke tight end to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. He's got the upside to be an NFL starter, but I don't think he'll be as good as Travis Kelce.




  7. Tre McKitty, TE, Georgia Projected Round 5th Round

    2020 Season Recap The 6-4 247 lb Tre McKitty only had 6 receptions, 108 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown in 2020. He had the biggest hand size among tight ends at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl with 11-inch hands.


    Tre McKitty SWOT Report

    Strengths: Tre McKitty has good speed and lateral twitch for a tight end. He's got the biggest hands of any prospect in this class. Showcases excellent body control when catching the football.


    McKitty has soft hands. Can leap into the air while jumping. Capable of making spectacular catches like one-handed catches or can catch the ball in traffic. He's a great run blocker and opened things up for the running backs in Georgia's offense.


    Capable of catching without using his body. By this I mean he catches the ball when it comes his way, and he doesn't have to use his body to reel in the catch. Generates separation with ease and is very difficult to tackle. Had a good week of practice at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl.


    Weaknesses: Tre McKitty's lack of production does limit him to a day 3 pick. He needs to improve his route tree.


    Opportunities: Tre McKitty is a fifth round prospect. I see him as a high end backup tight end, but some think he's got the ceiling to develop into a starter.


    Threats: Tre McKitty does have a minor injury history. The durability concerns may scare some teams.


    Potential Grade: 84/99



    Before 2020

    Isaac Nauta was the starting tight end at Georgia before the Detroit Lions took him in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Charlie Woener was drafted by the 49ers in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Tre McKitty enters his first year as a starting tight end for Georgia.




  8. Quintin Morris, TE, Bowling Green Projected Round 6th Round

    2020 Season Recap The 6-2 251 Quintin Morris has nice size for a tight end. He was the top target on an anemic Bowling Green Falcons offense despite playing tight end. Quintin Morris only had 20 receptions, 248 receiving yards, and 0 receiving touchdowns in 2020 after losing quarterback Darius Wade. His play regressed a lot in 2020. Despite that, he did receive an invite to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl.


    Quintin Morris SWOT Report

    Strengths: After the top 4 tight ends in this draft, you could argue that Quintin Morris has the most experience among tight ends with three years as a starter. He was a reliable pass catcher for quarterbacks.


    Weaknesses: Drops passes at times on tape. A scout told me he had the worst catch radius of any tight end at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl when I was at the Charlotte Airport. Displays average quicknesss. Needs to improve his route tree.


    Opportunities: I have a sixth round grade on Quintin Morris. He was one of the tight ends that played in the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. He projects as one of two tight ends with a sixth round grade.


    Threats: There are no threats with Quintin Morris. I see a third string tight end that could develop into a backup tight end.


    Potential Grade: 77/99



    Before 2020

    Quintin Morris was a wide receiver on a 5A Texas State Champion High School team for football. No power 5 schools offered him a scholarship. Bowling Green offered Morris a football scholarship. He converted from wide receiver to tight end sitting out his first year while coming in as a backup in 11 games as a freshman in 2017. Quintin Morris had 42 receptions, 516 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns in his sophomore season in 2018. Quintin Morris had 55 receptions, 649 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns in 2019. Quintin Morris can surge up boards as a dark horse with a strong senior season.




  9. Kylen Granson, TE, SMU Projected Round 6th Round

    2020 Season Recap The 6-2 242 lb Kylen Granson had 35 receptions, 536 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns for SMU in 2020. Granson had 3 of those touchdowns in SMU's final 3 games ending the season on a high note before earning an invite to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl.


    ' Kylen Granson SWOT Report

    Strengths: Outside of Noah Gray, he's the most versatile tight end in this draft. He can line up at fullback, slot receiver, or tight end. He's a good athlete with good hands. He's also a good blocker. Fantastic in the red zone. He can jump and fight for the ball against defenders.


    Weaknesses: Kylen Granson needs to improve his route tree. Linebackers and defensive backs in the NFL can limit what he does. He's got a limited ceiling.


    Opportunities: I have a sixth round grade on Kylen Granson. He feels like a third string tight end that could develop into a backup tight end.


    Threats: His size may limit his ceiling as a blocker. He's very durable.


    Potential Grade: 77/99



    Before 2020

    Kylen Granson started out on a 1-11 Rice team in 2017 before transferring to SMU. His best year at SMU came in 2019 when he had 43 receptions, 721 receiving yards, and 9 receiving touchdowns.




  10. Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri Projected Round 7th Round

    2020 Season Recap The 6-7 245 lb Zach Davidson did not play his senior season at Central Missouri due to Covid-19. He also was not a member of the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. This guy is talented enough to be the steal of the entire draft despite the lack of exposure.


    Zach Davidson SWOT Report

    Strengths: You will see Davidson perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Has an extremely high football IQ. He can run all 30 different routes on the route tree. Excellent blocker. His size and athleticism are amazing for a tight end. He can make spectacular catches as well as one-handed catches. He's the tallest tight end as well as the only tight end with 15 receiving touchdowns in one season in this draft despite playing at a Division II College.


    Weaknesses: He's a tight end and a punter. The only weakness is people are unsure if he will play tight end or punter at the next level. He had great tape in 2019 at Central Missouri as both a tight end and a punter with 15 receiving touchdowns while averaging 40 yards a punt. He's got the fewest weaknesses of any tight end in this draft outside of Kyle Pitts.


    Opportunities: I have a seventh round grade on Zach Davidson. Zach Davidson has a chance to become the first Central Missouri Mule to be drafted since tight end Delanie Walker back in 2006. Delanie Walker played in the NFL from 2006-2019, but plans to return in 2021 after opting out of 2020 due to Covid-19.


    Threats: Zach Davidson doesn't have any threats. In fact NFL Draft Bible gave him the fourth highest grade among potential for tight ends giving him a floor grade of 6.7 and a ceiling grade of 8.5. I am going to meet them in the middle of those two grades and give him a 76/99 for his potential grade.


    Potential Grade: 76/99



    Before 2020

    Zach Davidson had 40 receptions, 894 receiving yards, and 15 receiving touchdowns in 2019. Zach Davidson's superb play at tight end allowed Central Missouri to begin the season 10-0 going undefeated in regular season play before the Division II Playoffs. They defeated Indianapolis in the opening round before losing to the top overall Division II seed in Ferris State who lost to the eventual Division II Champion West Florida who entered the tournament as one of the unranked teams. Covid-19 cancelled Zach Davidson's 2020 season which influenced Davidson to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.







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