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2024 NFL draft prospect rankings: Tight ends

Eddie Brown, The San Diego Union-Tribune on

Published in Football

— 5. Cade Stover (Sr., Ohio State, 6-3, 247)

Stover was the No. 7 outside linebacker in the 2019 recruiting class, and didn't move to the offensive side of the ball full-time until 2022, where he became a two-time team captain and two-time All-Big Ten honoree. He has soft, reliable hands (only two drops on 108 collegiate targets) and was a finalist for the John Mackey Award last season. Stover's basketball background is obvious, the way he locates and adjusts to the ball, and he features enough speed to threaten teams vertically. He still needs to develop as a blocker to be a three-down asset, but he's certainly a willing participant. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 6. Jared Wiley (Sr., TCU, 6-6, 249)

After three seasons at Texas, Wiley joined the Horned Frogs in search of a bigger role on offense. He led all FBS tight ends with eight TD receptions as a super senior, five of them coming in the red zone. Wiley features the height and length to play above the rim, with impressive ball skills and a massive wingspan. He has reliable hands, only one drop on 120 collegiate targets, but doesn't break a lot of tackles and he's surprisingly ineffective as a blocker for a player of his stature. Projected: Rounds 3-5

— 7. Dallin Holker (Jr., Colorado State, 6-3, 234)

The former three-star recruit served his two-year church mission (2019-20) before returning to BYU. Frustrated with his role, Holker transferred to Fort Collins for his junior season and led all FBS tight ends in receptions (64) and receiving yards (767). He received 105 targets in one season with the Rams compared to only 59 in his three seasons with the Cougars. He doesn't add a lot of value as a blocker, but he's a smooth athlete in space with good feel for making catches in traffic. Holker had 11 receptions of 20-plus yards last season, third-most among FBS tight ends behind only Georgia's Bowers and Texas' Sanders. His 15 forced missed tackles also ranked third-most among all FBS tight ends. Holker was named team captain for Colorado State despite only spending a single season on campus. Projected: Rounds 4-6

 

— 8. Jaheim Bell (Jr., Florida State, 6-2, 241)

The former three-star recruit suffered a torn ACL that ended his senior season of high school. After three seasons with South Carolina, Bell transferred to Tallahassee, where he set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. He was one of 12 FBS tight ends with 35-plus receptions and 500-plus receiving yards. He's a bit undersized, and a mixed bag as a blocker, but he's talented with the ball in his hands. Bell's 8.1 yards-after-catch per reception ranked third among FBS tight ends last season. Both the Gamecocks and Seminoles used him in the backfield, either through motion or at running back, where he would receive carries. He scored three rushing TDs his final season in Columbia and another rushing score with Florida State last year. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 9. Erick All (Sr., Iowa, 6-4, 252)

All was the No. 12 tight end in the 2019 recruiting class and committed to Michigan despite growing up in Ohio. After earning honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2021, spinal surgery limited him to only three games in 2022 and he joined the Hawkeyes through the transfer portal. All appeared in only seven games before an ACL injury ended his season. He led Iowa in receiving yards (299) and receiving TDs (three) despite missing half of the season. When healthy, All has prototypical size and features the athleticism and receiving acumen to threaten defenses at all three levels. He also gives consistent effort as a blocker and is capable of intercepting linebackers at the second level. If he checks out medically, he could develop into a major draft steal. Projected: Rounds 5-7

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©2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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