2026 Draft: Tight Ends

[BobDigital]

I was watching his game against Texas A&M as @BobDigital posted his mock and had got to the half. Raridon had stood out to me in the first half with some key catches but I hadn't studied him per se. Having seen Bob's post and yours, I decided to focus on some of his 2nd half blocking and while he's no Jackson Hawes (still a little aggrieved about that missed opportunity) he did well as an inline blocker. Doesn't dominate, but does his job.

The thing is with blocking as a TE is.... while it is nice it is so distantly second these days. Look at Kelce. He wasn't a good blocking TE coming into the league. Was never really elite. But it didn't stop him from being a top TE of all time. Shannon Sharpe wasn't known for his blocking, who cares? Guys like Gronk who are that elite as a pass catcher and run blocker are unicorns. We will never see someone like that again maybe. When i look at TEs these days as much as it may annoy some people who really deep dive the game. I don't care about the blocking at all practically. For me, before blocking enters the conversation (from your starting TE) they need to be basically neck and neck with someone else. I wouldn't say i consider blocking only a tie breaker, as it matters more than that. But, how much are you really willing to sacrifice as a pass catcher vs another player for run better blocking? For me it isn't much.

This isn't to say you feel any one way about it cause i don't know. I am just sharing my thoughts when it comes to todays game at the position.

 

[manxman2601]

The thing is with blocking as a TE is.... while it is nice it is so distantly second these days. Look at Kelce. He wasn't a good blocking TE coming into the league. Was never really elite. But it didn't stop him from being a top TE of all time. Shannon Sharpe wasn't known for his blocking, who cares? Guys like Gronk who are that elite as a pass catcher and run blocker are unicorns. We will never see someone like that again maybe. When i look at TEs these days as much as it may annoy some people who really deep dive the game. I don't care about the blocking at all practically. For me, before blocking enters the conversation (from your starting TE) they need to be basically neck and neck with someone else. I wouldn't say i consider blocking only a tie breaker, as it matters more than that. But, how much are you really willing to sacrifice as a pass catcher vs another player for run better blocking? For me it isn't much.

This isn't to say you feel any one way about it cause i don't know. I am just sharing my thoughts when it comes to todays game at the position.

You're right, the game has changed. However, a TE2 has to be a good blocker, particularly in our offense where Josh is looking for a balanced run/pass offence. I'd say, that a McDaniels TE1 probably does too because he strikes me as less willing to use the Flex TE purely as a pass catcher.

 

[manxman2601]

Nice catch here showcasing long arms.



He doesn't look very quick though.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

I think we have a TE 2 people

 

[manxman2601]

If we can’t add a alpha-x at WR, I’d add this alpha-z TE

 

[manxman2601]

Oscar Delp of Georgia just doesn't get used in Georgia's scheme as a receiver, he only has 4 receptions for 87 yards this season but he's got top grade athleticism for the position. He does block although he's better as a pass blocker than run blocker. I can see him being drafted to replace Austin Hooper with a view to him becoming TE 1 down the line. Look at his athleticism on the first play below.

 

[mayoclinic]

I posted a Delp clip a couple of posts above. I agree he is under-used, will be probably be under-valued.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Oscar Delp of Georgia just doesn't get used in Georgia's scheme as a receiver, he only has 4 receptions for 87 yards this season but he's got top grade athleticism for the position. He does block although he's better as a pass blocker than run blocker. I can see him being drafted to replace Austin Hooper with a view to him becoming TE 1 down the line. Look at his athleticism on the first play below.

I looked it up. Delp is 28 years old.

 

[mayoclinic]

His date of birth is listed as 8/4/2003, which would make him 22.

 

[manxman2601]

I looked it up. Delp is 28 years old.

You tease



Too young for me. You know me and older prospects. you got me excited there for a moment!

 

[manxman2601]

Three TEs on Feldman's pre-season freaks list including two very familiar to us.

No. 15 Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt, tight end​

The former four-star Texas A&M QB blew up last year for the Commodores as he returned to the SEC after a stop at New Mexico State, making first-team All-SEC. He led Vanderbilt with 49 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns. He had a dominant performance in Vanderbilt’s historic upset of Alabama, making six catches for a career-best 113 yards.

The 6-4, 235-pounder, a former Texas 6A state high-jump champion, has elite wheels. He broad jumped 11-3 this offseason (up five inches from last year) to go with a 39-inch vertical. His top speed on the GPS was 21.43 MPH. He power cleaned 360 pounds.

No. 35 Marlin Klein, Michigan, tight end​

The TE from Germany made the Freaks List last year (No. 90). In 2024, he started six games and caught 13 passes for 108 yards and was named Most Improved Player on offense. The 6-6, 250-pound junior, who has hit 21.75 mph, broad jumped 9-7. This offseason, Klein ran a 6.89 in the three-cone drill. His former teammate Colston Loveland did it at 6.94 last offseason, and no tight end at this year’s combine did it quicker than that. Klein’s shuttle time of 4.25 this offseason would’ve been the fastest by any tight end at the combine.

No. 85 Eli Raridon, Notre Dame, tight end​

After returning from an ACL injury that hampered him for parts of his freshman and sophomore seasons, the junior started three games, catching 11 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-6, 255-pound second-generation Irish football player displayed plenty of explosiveness this offseason, vertical jumping 34 inches and broad jumping 9-10. He’s also quite strong, benching 350 pounds, power cleaning 335 and squatting 535.

Despite being underused at Michigan, I might be back in on Klein with that 3-cone and shuttle.

 

[mayoclinic]

Fine with any day 3. Klein's production doesn't match his athleticism, but I'm ok with a 5th round flier, or later.

 

[NFL Mystique]

Patriots have a tight end. Hunter Henry

 

[manxman2601]

Delp is another low production, high upside TE with inline experience that I like in this draft.

 

[mayoclinic]