2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Tight End

*Walt taking 2014 and 2018

Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates. Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in '15, '16, '17, '18, and '20 Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017 and 2019 NFL Drafts 2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

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1. Kyle Pitts*, TE, Florida
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 239.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
   Projected Round (2021): 1-2.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: Pitts turned into play-maker in 2019, creating mismatches in the passing game. He is too fast for linebackers while being too big for safeties in coverage. For the NFL, Pitts could stand to improve his blocking, but he will get drafted for his receiving ability. In 2019, he hauled in 54 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns. Pitts could be improved in 2020 due to his increased experience and further physical development.





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2. Jalen Wydermyer**, TE, Texas A&M
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 260.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.7.
   Projected Round (2021): 1-3.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: Wydermyer created a buzz with scouts for having a good skill with a ton of upside during the 2019 season. The Texas A&M staff raved about Wydermyer to NFL evaluators coming through College Station. In 2019, he totaled 32 receptions for 447 yards and six touchdowns. Wydermyer has good size to him with speed and athleticism. He could have three-down starting potential for the NFL.



3. Pat Freiermuth*, TE, Penn State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 256.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
   Projected Round (2021): 1-3.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: In 2019, Freiermuth totaled 43 receptions for 507 yards and seven touchdowns. He has upside with quickness, size and athleticism. As a freshman, he collected 26 catches for 368 yards and eight touchdowns. Freiermuth could rise as a junior and/or senior, but he is probably done playing college football after foolish decision makers in Big Ten presidents and commissioner Kevin Warren decided to cancel the 2020 season in an effort to protect their job security over considering the science that student athletes are more likely to die in a car accident driving to practice than from COVID-19.



4. Brevin Jordan*, TE, Miami
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 245.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
   Projected Round (2021): 2-3.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: After a strong freshman season, Jordan is helping to invigorate Miami as 'tight end U'. The Las Vegas, Nevada product made 32 receptions for 287 yards with four touchdowns in 2018. In 2019, the sophomore recorded 35 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns. He is capable of producing more, but Miami was inconsistent at getting him the ball. Jordan is undersized, so getting stronger and working on his blocking will be important for the NFL.





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5. Quintin Morris, TE, Bowling Green
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 248.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
   Projected Round (2021): 2-4.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: Morris was a dangerous receiving weapon for Bowling Green in 2019. He has quality size, quickness and athleticism. It was his second straight quality year for receiving production. For the NFL, Morris could stand to improve as a blocker. It would help him to have a good performance at an all-star game, given his level of competition.



6. Trey McBride*, TE, Colorado State
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.7.
   Projected Round (2021): 2-4.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: McBride was a receiving weapon for Colorado State in 2019, showing quality route-running and hands. For the NFL, he needs to improve his blocking and could stand to get stronger. However, McBride lacks length and could be limited as a blocker. As a pro, he would fit best as a "F" movement - receiving - tight end.



7. Jeremy Ruckert*, TE, Ohio State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 250.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: Ruckert flashed some ability during his sophomore year and was a nice red-zone contributor for the Buckeyes. Due to Ohio State having lost multiple receivers to the NFL after 2019, Ruckert's receiving production could grow. The junior has the size to be a blocker as well, so the ability is there for Ruckert to become a prospect with three-down starter potential.



8. Trae Barry, TE, Jacksonville State
   Height: 6-7. Weight: 235.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: Berry flashed as a junior, showing mismatch size with some receiving skills. If he can stay consistent or improve his production in 2020, Berry could be a riser. He needs to show blocking ability, and it would help him to excel at a postseason all-star game that would let him take on a higher level of competition.



9. Zach Davidson*, TE, Central Missouri
   Height: 6-7. Weight: 245.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   
   9/12/20: Davidson plays tight end and punter for Central Missouri, but NFL teams' advance scouts have him listed as a tight end on their preseason watch list. Davidson had some dominant games as a receiver in 2019, going over 170 yards in back-to-back games with six touchdowns against Missouri Southern State and Central Oklahoma. He is a red-zone weapon, as his 15 scores from 2019 illustrates. Davidson will be an interesting prospect to watch, especially if he goes to an all-star game and takes on tougher competition.





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10. Jake Ferguson*, TE, Wisconsin
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 246.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
    Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: Over the past two seasons, Ferguson was a solid receiving tight end for the Badgers. He could have produced more, but Wisconsin featured a rushing offense that had Ferguson also contribute as a blocker. If Ferguson gets more receiving opportunities and shows mismatch receiving talent, he could rise.



11. Matt Bushman, TE, BYU
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
    Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: During preseason practice, Bushman ruptured an Achilles tendon and is out for the season. He would be wise to take a medical redshirt and return to BYU in 2021. Bushman had his best season for the Cougars in 2019, recording 47 catches for 688 yards and four touchdowns. Prior to that, Bushman had been a consistent receiving weapon for BYU as an underclassman. In 2018, he caught 29 passes for 511 yards and two touchdowns. Bushman hauled in 49 passes for 520 yards and three scores in 2017.



12. Charlie Kolar*, TE, Iowa State
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 252.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
    Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: Kolar was a good receiver as a sophomore, hurting the Big XII defenses in the red zone. It was a breakout season for Kolar, and he could be even better in 2020 now that he has a year of experience.



13. Tony Poljan*, TE, Central Michigan
    Height: 6-7. Weight: 258.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.8.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: Poljan has been a solid receiver for Central Michigan and has the size to be a blocker at the pro level. Poljan needs to show evaluators the quickness and athleticism to be a receiving weapon in the NFL.



14. John Bates, TE, Boise State
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 255.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.78.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: In 2019, Bates contributed some as a receiver for the Broncos. He needed to improve his receiving production and as a blocker to rise.





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15. Cade Otton*, TE, Washington
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 246.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: Otton worked his way onto the field as a freshman and took on a bigger role as a sophomore. He showed some potential as a blocker and receiver. Otton has the upside to improve as a junior and/or senior.



16. Nick Eubanks, TE, Michigan
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 256.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: Eubanks has some upside to develop and put up decent receiving production despite Michigan struggling with consistency at quarterback. More production would help Eubanks get drafted.



17. Zaire Mitchell, TE, Notre Dame (OH)
    Height: 6-7. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: NFL teams' advance scouts put Mitchell on their preseason watch list, as Mitchell has showed a good skill set for the Falcons. He will need to produce a big senior year to get drafted, plus it would help him to stand out at an all-star game.



18. Peyton Hendershot*, TE, Indiana
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 255.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.8.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: Hendershot made some plays as a sophomore, showing a skill set to contribute as a receiver. He has athletic upside and a skill set, but Hendershot is on probation for a criminal trespass incident that he pleaded guilty to. Thus, character concerns will be an issue for him to address with NFL teams.



19. Josh Pederson, TE, Louisiana-Monroe
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 232.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.8.
    Projected Round (2021): 6-FA.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: The advance scouts placed Pederson on their preseason watch list, so he has some upside and ability. Pederson will need to continue to add weight to improve as a blocker and show more receiving ability to have any potential rise.



20. Luke Farrell, TE, Ohio State
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
    Projected Round (2021): 7-FA.
    View Ranking History
    
    9/12/20: Farrell made seven catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns in 2019, but also mainly contributed as a blocker for the Buckeyes. He needs to improve his receiving chops to boost his profile for the 2021 NFL Draft.

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