2019 NFL Draft – Tight End Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – TE:

You are currently viewing the best tight ends in the 2019 NFL Draft. Our top tight end prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the best receivers and blockers in college football. Even though only about 15 will get selected in the draft, dozens are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite. Find who is a first round talent, and who is likely nothing more than a training camp body. Find draft sleepers, draft stars, who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued.

BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2019 tight end prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 24, 2019)

2019:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

TJ Hockenson is the rare do-it-all tight end who is NFL ready out of college. He is possibly the best blocking tight end in the class, and is the only player who is above-average as both a receiver and blocker. Athletically he isn’t elite but he’s still very good. He has a solid frame for a tight end (6’5" 251) and he plays tough which helps him block bigger players one-on-one. He also is one of the best route runners in the class and rarely drops passes. The biggest issue I can find with Hockenson is how he bends when he runs. When running hard he hunches forward, which will lower his catch radius mid-route.

2018 Stats

13 games: 760 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns, 25.8% yards accounted for

Noah Fant started the season as the number 1 tight end and fell off slightly after being out-produced by teammate TJ Hockenson. Regardless, Fant is a natural receiver and an absolute mismatch. Standing 6’5" and weight 249 pounds, Fant ran a position-best 4.50 in the 40 yard dash, and had great testing in every other drill. He has great hands and has the widest route tree of any tight end in the group. His combination of traits makes his a receiving threat, but his blocking is nothing to write home about. He lacks the lower body strength to be a consistent blocker, but his hand placement is solid and he usually centers defenders well.

2018 Stats

12 games: 518 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns, 17.6% yards accounted for

Irv Smith had a big junior season, amounting 710 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. He had a few wow-moments with receptions, speed, and route running and plays really fast on tape. As a receiver, Smith is a good route runner with strong hands. He uses his body fairly well but doesn’t always go back to the ball or give consistent effort. As a blocker, Smith has good footwork and hand placement, he just needs to add some strength and toughness. He measured in a lot shorter than expected at the combine, and didn’t impress much with his numbers. He also kept falling down on drills (seemingly every time) which concerned me that he went to the ground willingly.

2018 Stats

15 games: 710 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns, 14.6% yards accounted for

Jace Sternberger was an All-American at tight end due to his incredible receiving ability. After watching the tape, I was also impressed with his blocking. He doesn’t have elite strength to be an in-line blocker at the NFL level, however. Sternberger doesn’t have great speed but he does show quickness in his routes. The best part of his game is his route running, but his hands also help make him a great receiver. All in all he gives great effort and has a variety of skills, but he doesn’t have great athleticism or better than average strength.

2018 Stats

13 games: 832 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, 25.3% yards accounted for

Kahale Warring is one of the most intriguing players in the draft. Warring looked great at the combine, having an NFL body and putting up solid numbers such as 4.67 speed and a 36.5" vertical at 252 pounds. What makes Warring so interesting is that he has only played football since his senior year of high school. After walking on at SDSU, he earned a scholarship and made some great plays for the Aztecs. He has the ability to work back towards the ball and the mindset to block, but needs to refine his technique and limit the dropped passes. 

2018 Stats

12 games: 372 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 15.3% yards accounted for

Complete draft rankings for 2019 – Tight End

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2019:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

There are several really good underclassmen tight ends in the 2019 NFL draft. Many, but not all of them entered the draft. Still, most tight ends take a while to develop in the NFL as they learn to block and toughen up. The lack of elite seniors suggests that the class won’t make an immediate impact, but there could be some stars that develop down the road. TJ Hockenson is the rare redshirt sophomore who is NFL ready, and he looks the part despite his youth. Noah Fant showcased his athleticism since the season ended, and a lot of people really like Irv Smith. There are a lot of great pass catchers here, but not many blockers which tends to be a troubling trend in the draft.