2026 Draft: Tight Ends

[DaBruinz]

Tanner Koziol with a 4.70 and a 36.5 vertical at almost 6’7” and a low drop rate, yes please.

Koziol is a slow WR in a TE body. As Clon stated, we're not adding that.

 

[DaBruinz]

We signed a blocking TE and a fullback. Also, You can always learn to block. Most likely you can’t learn to be an explosive receiving TE.

People always think who a player is now is the finished product.

Just because they signed a blocking TE (Hill can catch the ball too) doesn't mean the Pats are going to draft a guy who puts little effort into blocking.

One of the things you seemed to miss about Vrabel's statements in regards to players is versatility. They want players on the field who won't telegraph what's coming. Koziol being on the field would telegraph that it's a pass play. That's a lack of versatility.

Koziol also doesn't fit the definition of "violent" player. Which has been one of the words tossed around by Vrabel and other members of the Pats Staff for this off-season. Koziol is not quite the epitome of "Built like Tarzan, plays like Jane", but not far from it.

 

[manxman2601]

H/T to Mike Renner

Nate Boerkircher had the 2nd best 10 yard split of all the combine TEs.

 

[PatsFan2]

McShay on his pod today mentioned he has Marlin Klein as TE4, ahead of Roush. Has him as a 3rd rounder. Also said 3 of the 4 drops he was credited with, were not his fault.

With those pedestrian College numbers yeah right. Round 4 and up fools goal in the Third Round.

 

[PatsFan2]

Oscar Delp > can't block H Henry and any other TE on the current roster.

 

[Rdforty2]

With those pedestrian College numbers yeah right. Round 4 and up fools goal in the Third Round.

Statistical production isnt the best way to judge tight ends. Some offenses simply juat dont involve them. George Kittle is the poster boy for that.

In Klein's case, he was actually the teams 3rd leading receiver this year. In catches and yards. Theynhad a true freshman QB and only averaged 186 passing yards per game, with just 11 touchdowns total.

The year prior, he was in a passing offense that was even worse. Michigan only averaged 129 passing yards per game in '24. And Colston Loveland was there.

Im not making the argument that Klein should go at a specific draft spot. Hes not my #4 or #5 TE. Just saying, traits/skills over production in evaluating tight ends.

 

[mayoclinic]

With those pedestrian College numbers yeah right. Round 4 and up fools goal in the Third Round.

I sincerely hope people listen to McShay and take Klein day 3 ahead of Roush.

 

[PatsFan2]

Statistical production isnt the best way to judge tight ends. Some offenses simply juat dont involve them. George Kittle is the poster boy for that.

In Klein's case, he was actually the teams 3rd leading receiver this year. In catches and yards. Theynhad a true freshman QB and only averaged 186 passing yards per game, with just 11 touchdowns total.

The year prior, he was in a passing offense that was even worse. Michigan only averaged 129 passing yards per game in '24. And Colston Loveland was there.

Im not making the argument that Klein should go at a specific draft spot. Hes not my #4 or #5 TE. Just saying, traits/skills over production in evaluating tight ends.

Point taken: that said I like others not named Klein in the Third.

 

[PatsFan2]

Statistical production isnt the best way to judge tight ends. Some offenses simply juat dont involve them. George Kittle is the poster boy for that.

In Klein's case, he was actually the teams 3rd leading receiver this year. In catches and yards. Theynhad a true freshman QB and only averaged 186 passing yards per game, with just 11 touchdowns total.

The year prior, he was in a passing offense that was even worse. Michigan only averaged 129 passing yards per game in '24. And Colston Loveland was there.

Im not making the argument that Klein should go at a specific draft spot. Hes not my #4 or #5 TE. Just saying, traits/skills over production in evaluating tight ends.

Point taken: that said I like others not named Klein in the Third.

 

[PatsFan2]

I sincerely hope people listed to McShay and take Klein day 3 ahead of Roush.

Klein seems to be rising like Stribling unreal.

 

[mayoclinic]

Interesting TE and RB evals relative fit for Denver:

2026 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos big board for running backs and tight ends

Analyzing the past seven drafts combined between Sean Payton and George Paton, here are players most likely on their big board heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

www.milehighreport.com

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Oscar Delp > can't block H Henry and any other TE on the current roster.

Delp had horrible production. Never draft a guy with bad production and hope on athleticism.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Klein seems to be rising like Stribling unreal.

If guys are rising someone has to be falling.

 

[mayoclinic]

Delp and Klein had horrible production. Never draft a guy with bad production and hope on athleticism.

Edited it for you.

 

[sg14]

Delp had horrible production. Never draft a guy with bad production and hope on athleticism.

George Kittle turned out ok.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

George Kittle turned out ok.

Every generalization is wrong, including this one. There are always exceptions. Kittle was the 5th round, for the 5th to 7th rounds I think it is OK to gamble. I am not gambling on Delp in R2 to R3. Different situation. Just me.

 

[mayoclinic]

George Kittle turned out ok.

Drafted in the 5th. I would be more than happy to take a flier on Delp or Klein then. Not day 2.

 

[manxman2601]

I was looking at Rob Gronkowski's RAS today and three things jumped out at me.

Hand size - 10.750
Arm length - 34.250
10 yard - 1.58



Needless to say, there is no-one like that in this draft class although there is one not too far removed. Let me be clear, I am NOT comparing him to Gronk, he's smaller for one thing. But on those three measures specifically, he's about as close as it can be putting aside Gronk's vine-like arms.

Nate Boerkircher

Hand Size - 10.500
Arm Length - 32.6
10 yd - 1.58

Throw in a 7.03 3-cone too.

his run blocking grade is on par with Kacmarek, although I prefer Kacmarek's blocking tape.

Boerkircher is definitely added to my list of desirable TEs.

 

[PatsFan2]

I was looking at Rob Gronkowski's RAS today and three things jumped out at me.

Hand size - 10.750
Arm length - 34.250
10 yard - 1.58



Needless to say, there is no-one like that in this draft class although there is one not too far removed. Let me be clear, I am NOT comparing him to Gronk, he's smaller for one thing. But on those three measures specifically, he's about as close as it can be putting aside Gronk's vine-like arms.

Nate Boerkircher

Hand Size - 10.500
Arm Length - 32.6
10 yd - 1.58

Throw in a 7.03 3-cone too.

his run blocking grade is on par with Kacmarek, although I prefer Kacmarek's blocking tape.

Boerkircher is definitely added to my list of desirable TEs.

We get it: but his numbers for a Five year player is below pedestrian. I am going to go out on a limb and say CJ Dippre have more upside.

 

[PatsFan2]

Delp had horrible production. Never draft a guy with bad production and hope on athleticism.

RONG! Oscar Delp had horrible QB's and excels at Blocking something we Need.