2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dalton Kincaid





  • Dalton Kincaid, 6-3/241

  • Tight End

  • Utah


  • Dalton Kincaid Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Excellent pass protector
  • Good feet in pass protection
  • Strong run blocker
  • Dangerous middle-seam tight end
  • Three-down starter
  • Good hands
  • Leaping ability
  • Making contested catches
  • Uses size to make receptions downfield
  • Adept at finding the soft spot in zone
  • Tracks the ball well
  • Can get yards after the catch
  • Can sustain his blocks
  • Hits blocks on the second level
  • Can sustain his blocks
  • Good blocking technique
  • Long-term starting potential
  • Effective against good competition
  • Strong
  • Deceptive quickness, athleticism
  • Shows a burst as a route-runner and after the catch
  • Intelligent




  • Weaknesses:
  • Not fast
  • Lacks elite speed
  • Lacks elite athleticism


  • Summary: Heading into 2022, the Georgia tight end room was known as being supremely talented, including the trio of Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington and Arik Gilbert. However, the Utah Utes had the makings of a tremendous tight end tandem that probably would have produced more passing yards through the air if Brant Kuithe had not gone out for the year in September. Kincaid picked up the slack with Kuithe out and put together an excellent season for the Utes with 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2021, Kincaid recorded 36 catches for 510 yards and eight touchdowns, which was his first full season for Utah. Kincaid spent his first two seasons at San Diego before transferring ahead of 2020. As a sophomore for the Toreros, he recorded 44 receptions for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. In his freshman year, Kincaid pulled down 11 touchdowns while putting up 374 receiving yards.

    Kincaid looks like a future three-down starter for the next level. He has the skill set to be a dangerous receiver down the seam and in the red zone, like he was in college. Kincaid has the quickness to get downfield, and he has a surprising burst for a tight end. Kincaid shows excellent hands and is very skilled at going up high to make receptions over defensive backs. Even though he isn’t the biggest of tight ends, he has good body control and uses his size well to shield the ball from defenders to make the catch. With good play strength, Kincaid uses his power to disengage from defenders to get open after contact is initiated. Kincaid runs good routes, is smart to find the soft spots in zone, and has good feel as a receiver. After the catch, Kincaid is a tough runner who possesses a burst, will weave through the secondary, and demonstrates the ability to break tackles. As a pro, Kincaid should be a reliable and steady weapon in the passing game.



    Kincaid is also quality run blocker who should be a reliable contributor to his NFL team’s running offense at the point of attack. He also could help in pass protection, chipping defenders and tandem blocking with offensive tackles. Thus, Kincaid isn’t limited to one part of the offense and can be out there on every down. He could turn into a long-term quality pro starter.

    In the 2023 NFL Draft, Kincaid could sneak into the first round. He probably won’t fall out of Round 2.



    Player Comparison: Dawson Knox. Kincaid compares well to Knox coming out of Ole Miss. Knox (6-4, 254) is a dangerous receiver who can get open and make some plays after the catch. Kincaid has a similar skill set and style of play.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2023 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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